Since living in France after spending the first 19 years of my life in America, I’ve noticed quite a few differences between the two cultures. The most noticeable being the overall health of the population. There are much less overweight people in France than in America, which means that cultural practices have a huge impact on people’s health and appearance. Statistically, the French also live longer than the average American.
Here are 9 reasons the ‘French Paradox,’ or the French’s ability to enjoy ‘unhealthy’ things like saturated fat, bread and red wine and still live long, healthy lives, is not a paradox.
Smaller Portion Sizes
Quality is more important than quantity when it comes to food. At restaurants in France, there is rarely ever enough food to need a doggy bag.
You will finish everything and most likely still be a little hungry. Overabundance is not normal for the majority of the rest of the world. Free refills are also nonexistent.
Smaller portion sizes= Smaller caloric intake and higher quality food
Healthier Relationship with Food
Fitness isn’t as much of a big deal compared to the USA, but generally speaking, their body’s look well-proportionate and healthy. Plenty of French people are eating steak and potatoes or ham and cheese sandwiches with butter on a daily basis.
In a place like the USA, these things are “cheat meals,” so you’ll see people depriving themselves and eating quinoa salads, only to binge on Ben and Jerry’s some other time.
Those eating the ham and cheese or steak and potatoes were probably satisfied after their meals and didn’t eat again until dinner, and at the end of the day had less empty calories from sugary, processed foods and insulin spikes.
The French are unapologetic advocates for life’s finer pleasures, and are more inclined to go for what tastes insanely good in moderation. They generally aren’t emotional eaters and don’t renounce entire food groups, such as gluten or dairy, so they are less likely to binge eat in moments of weakness.
They don’t try to have a “perfect” diet.
Healthier Relationship with Alcohol
Too much of anything is bad for you. The poison lies in the quantity.
Too much alcohol is deadly, but people who abstain from all forms of alcohol also die earlier and are less healthy than moderate drinkers.
Red wine is good for the heart and strengthens the blood.
Americans binge drink. At the high school and college parties I’d go to in America, that’s all kids would do. In fact, the whole point of the party was to get as drunk as possible.
In France, alcohol isn’t a taboo, ‘bad’ thing. It’s seen as something that helps with digestion (almost like a food) and pairs nicely with food while providing a light buzz to get the ideas flowing. They don’t drink to get drunk.
Less Snacking
Snack food is a byproduct of consumerism, and contributes to overeating. You don’t need to snack if you’re feeding yourself correctly.
We were not meant to be constantly eating, and food should not be something to keep you busy when you’re bored.
If you do feel the need to snack, you’re probably not feeding yourself correctly at your main meals, and there probably isn’t enough healthy fats in your diet.
The French will generally have an espresso in the afternoon to hold them over until their next meal, or a pastry every once in a while made with real butter.
Snacking places more unnecessary stress on your digestive system and keeps insulin high, making it easier to store fat instead of burning it.
They Eat Slower and Enjoy Meals as a Family
The French see food as something to be enjoyed together, and take time to savour it and appreciate the moment.
They often have multiple-course meals with high-quality ingredients and have small breaks in between.
It takes time for your stomach to send the signal to your brain to tell yourself that you’re full. In one study, slow spaced eating increased fullness and decreased hunger ratings in overweight and obese participants.
Their Diet Includes HEALTHY Fats
Animal fats don’t not make you fat. Overeating, stress, depression, snacking, lack of sleep, sugar, and being sedentary does.
In fact, animal fats are ‘superfoods.’
Fats that are traditionally used in French culture make up a significant amount of their caloric intake. They enhance taste and overall satisfaction, and promote overall health compared to the omega 6-laden sunflower and canola oils generally used in America, which kill people.
Butter, olive oil, a large variety of cheeses (made with raw cow’s, goat’s, and sheep’s milk) egg yolks, creme fraiche, animal fats make up the majority of the fats in the French diet.
These fats are great sources of Vitamin K, a fat-soluble vitamin important for bone health, heart health, healthy teeth, inflammation, autoimmune problems, cancer, brain health, insulin resistance, and reducing your risk of dying from all causes.
More Walking
European cities are made for humans. They were originally made for people and horses, not cars, which means that everything is usually within walking distance as the cities are more concentrated.
The French are more likely to bike or walk to get their groceries, visit friends, and to get to work or school. They spend less time sitting down.
Less Stress
Chronic Stress and weight gain are directly correlated.
The French enjoy more vacation time, longer breaks at work, free education and free healthcare. These all contribute to a generally low-stress lifestyle, and subsequently, a slimmer population that lives longer.
In Conclusion
The French Paradox isn’t a paradox.
