The Wellness Insider’s Guide to LA, Toronto & London—What No One Tells You

A Deep Dive from Someone Who’s Lived, Breathed, and Grocery-Shopped in All Three

If you’ve ever assumed that wellness looks the same everywhere, think again. What’s considered “healthy” in LA would be dismissed as extreme in Toronto and borderline unnecessary in London. And here’s the kicker—LA isn’t even a true reflection of the U.S. at all. It’s an insulated bubble where sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, biohacked wellness is the norm, while the rest of America is still guzzling Big Gulps and eating ultra-processed foods.

Meanwhile, in Toronto, wellness is catching on—but it’s more of a gym-bro protein shake culture than an Erewhon elixir scene. And in London? Government policies like the sugar tax and portion control make wellness feel more effortless, yet finding organic, raw, or high-quality versions of anything is a struggle.

The first time I walked into a London grocery store, I was like… wait, where’s the raw milk? The grain-free granola? And when I told a friend there that people in LA genuinely fear pasta and even potatoes because of "carbs", they were horrified. Meanwhile, when I visit North America after spending time in London, I’m shocked at the portion sizes—why is a "normal" meal enough food for three people?!

Let’s break down what it’s really like to live in each of these cities—from grocery stores to eating out, sugar tax policies, and why the same chocolate bar has three different ingredient lists depending on where you buy it.

Grocery Stores & Food Quality—What You’re Actually Eating

LA:

I’ll be honest—this is grocery store heaven if you care about ingredients. Erewhon, Whole Foods, the Santa Monica Farmers Market… everything is organic, grass-fed, raw dairy galore, sugar-free, and labeled ‘superfood’. Even gas stations carry keto snacks and cold-pressed juices. If you ask someone if they’ve tried a certain brand, they’ll probably say, “Yes, but I stopped eating it because of the seed oils.”

Toronto:

Whole Foods exists, but it’s just not the same. Organic options are more limited, and people aren’t as obsessive about reading labels. Grocery stores still carry ultra-processed food, and the "healthy" section is tiny compared to LA. If you want a high-quality, organic, dairy-free, gluten-free anything, you might have to hunt for it.

London:

I expected strict food regulations to mean better quality, but not always. Certain additives and ultra-processed foods are banned, but finding organic, raw dairy, or non-GMO produce is surprisingly difficult. People assume food is healthier here, but processed foods still contain additives and artificial sweeteners that wouldn’t fly in LA. Also, the sugar tax means brands reformulate their products with artificial sweeteners—so instead of just cutting sugar, they just replace it with other junk.

Eating Out—Portion Sizes & The Wellness Mindset

LA:

Customization is an extreme sport. Gluten-free? Dairy-free? Wild-caught salmon instead of farmed? Done. Even fast food spots have “healthy” options. But portions are massive compared to London. I’ve sat down for brunch in LA and been served a “healthy” grain bowl the size of my head.

Toronto:

Less of a wellness scene, more of a gym culture. Protein bowls and “healthier” options exist, but restaurants aren’t built around wellness like in LA. Portion sizes are closer to the U.S., but people aren’t as extreme about food choices.

London:

Smaller portions. More “real food.” I once ordered a pasta dish and was shocked at how reasonable the portion was—like, a normal amount a human should eat in one sitting. But also, if you’re used to getting everything organic and grass-fed, London can be tough. There’s no Erewhon-level attention to sourcing. You won’t find keto cafés or adaptogenic lattes everywhere, but people eat more balanced meals without overthinking it.

Sugar Tax, Food Standards & Government Policies—How They Impact Health

LA & Toronto:

No sugar tax. You can buy supersized sodas, frappuccinos, and sugar-laden snacks freely. Food regulations are more relaxed, meaning ingredients in U.S. and Canadian versions of the same product can be wildly different from their UK counterparts.

London:

Sugar tax is real, and you’ll notice it. Soft drinks are taxed based on sugar content, so formulas are often altered with artificial sweeteners (which isn’t always better). The UK has stricter ingredient regulations, banning certain additives that are legal in the U.S. and Canada. But even with these policies, processed foods aren’t necessarily “healthier”—they just contain different types of chemicals.

Cadbury Chocolate Test:

- U.S.: Full of high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavouring, and preservatives.

- Canada: Slightly better, but still contains emulsifiers and unnecessary additives.

- UK: Creamier, richer, and made with real cocoa butter. No high-fructose corn syrup. Tastes like actual chocolate.

This difference applies to so many packaged foods—from bread to chips to sauces. Even the same brand can have completely different ingredients in each country.

Wellness Culture—How People Think About Health in Each City

LA:

Wellness is a full-time job. Biohacking, fasting, IV drips, lymphatic drainage massages. People aren’t just trying to be healthy—they’re obsessed with optimizing longevity and aesthetics. Everyone drinks matcha, avoids seed oils, tracks HRV, and lives in Alo or Set Active. The goal? Live forever, look good doing it.

Toronto:

More of a gym and fitness culture than a holistic wellness one. People care about health, but it’s more about hitting protein goals and taking pre-workout than gut health or functional medicine. Supplement stores are everywhere, but adaptogens and superfoods? Not as much.

London:

Wellness isn’t obsessive—it’s cultural. People walk everywhere, portion sizes are naturally smaller, and there’s no diet culture in the way there is in North America. People eat real food, drink wine without guilt, and don’t stress about “optimizing” everything. But finding high-quality organic food or functional wellness options is surprisingly hard.

The Real Question: Where’s the Best Place for Wellness?

If you want access to the best quality food, cutting-edge wellness trends, and biohacking, LA wins—hands down.

If you want a naturally balanced lifestyle where wellness is built into the culture (without being obsessive), London is ideal.

If you want a middle ground—where wellness is growing but not extreme—Toronto is catching up, but still has a way to go.

The bottom line? Each city shapes wellness in its own way. LA is intense, London is effortless, and Toronto is in transition. Where you live changes what “healthy” looks like—and what’s actually in your food.

Would you want to see more deep dives into wellness in different cities? Let me know!