Why Do The French Stay Slim?

[Viktor]

One of the first things that struck me is how skinny they are. And that holds true right through the age groups.

It is unacceptable in France to be other than very slim. My daughter was mocked for her weight at 55 kilograms (121 pounds or 8 stone 6 pounds). She’s 5 feet 4 inches.

I recently flew back to Great Britain after a period away of two years, and I couldn’t believe how fat we all are over there!

Some things that are very noticeable differences between the Brits and the French:

Absolutely No Snacks Between Meals
They are religious about letting nothing pass their lips between meals. They believe your stomach should rest.

Only very small children are allowed to eat between meals. By the age of about five to seven you are not expected to take food to school. This has both positive and negative consequences. Everyone is used to feeling hungry between meals — they get used to it and don’t seek to fill the hole as soon as it appears.

The negative side is that teenagers regularly go to see the school nurse, particularly in the mornings, feeling faint, nauseous and trembling. All for want of a cereal bar or an apple!

My daughter, 16, was mocked for taking food to school when we first arrived in France two years ago, so she would overfill at breakfast and lunchtime to compensate. She gained 10 pounds.

She now hides something in her locker for the mid-morning trembles (and has lost the 10 pounds).

Food Myths are Widespread
No eating between meals means there’s no eating in the streets!

In general, they are obsessed with how to eat, how long it takes to eat, what to eat, how to cook it, etc., etc.

And yet I have found an incredible amount of ignorance on the subject of food. For instance, they believe you should eat green beans if you want to be slim — they make you lose weight. Slimming creams are everywhere. People still take “cures” by going to a spa and drinking the waters!

And there are anorectics galore.

People seem obsessed with weight and food.

All Ages Stay Active
All ages do sport. The old men play boules and although not a major calorie burner, every bit helps.

The French Stay Slim Despite Some Questionable Habits
They fry everything in sight! Potatoes, meat and vegetables. If it goes in their mouths, it’s seen the frying pan first.

They eat cheese after every meal. Even if they don’t have dessert (which they usually do), they would still eat cheese.

They eat bread at every meal.

Everybody smokes! I have never seen so many smokers in my life. Of course, it gives them something to put in their mouths instead of food!

My opinion: The French should eat less fried food, keep off the fags and have something sensible to eat between meals. We all just have to make better choices!


Angela Rowlands is British and has lived in France for three years.
Source: www.calorielab.com

[Sarah Bayes]

They smoke loads!

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La vie est belle