Despite consuming bread, cheese, wine regularly, France maintains one of the lowest obesity rates in the developed world.
Why is this?
1) French grocery items contain fewer processed items than American supermarkets
They prioritise fresh, seasonal ingredients over convenience foods - they choose foods with 5 ingredients or fewer, and they avoid anything with ingredients you cannot pronounce. They also prepare simple meals from scratch using whole ingredients.
2) They make meals sacred
They sit down for all meals, even breakfast, without technological distractions, using real plates and silverware, and they take at least 20 minutes for every meal
3) They practise Natural Portion Control
They use smaller plates, eat slowly, putting their fork down between bites, and stop eating when 80% full, ie comfortable, not stuffed.
4) Prioritise walking as transportation
The average French person walks significantly more than the average American
They park farther from entrances, take stairs instead of elevators, walk for errands within a mile from home, stroll for 10 to 15 minutes after dinner
5) Maintain Meal structure
They eat 3 distinct meals at regular times, making lunch the largest meal where possible.
They have a light evening meal at least 2 - 3 hours before bed.
23
Apr 2025