What to eat and what not to eat, and why – they're major topics in Germany. Most people agree that sweets are not very healthy, and that we should eat more fruit and vegetables.

A lot of Germans are interested in where their food comes from and what is in it. With the organic food trend, more people are buying organic produce. You may have noticed the many organic supermarkets in Germany.

Over five million Germans call themselves Vegetarier (vegetarians) and do not eat meat. Veganer (vegans) go one step further: they do not eat any animal products, which means no milk, no eggs, etc. There are lots of reasons for this, from health concerns to criticism of how animals are transported, to ideological concerns.

Lots of athletes and health-conscious people try to keep calories down, reducing their sugar and fat intake. Others eat gluten-free. This means they avoid grains and products like bread, pastries, pizza, pasta and beer. Some people take these things more seriously than others. Before you invite new friends to dinner, it may be best to ask them beforehand what they do or don't eat.