In ode to the longest living human being, Jeanne Calment, we are going to look at the French today. There is of course the French Paradox. The French eat a lot of fat, yet their health rates are better. They eat a ton of foie gras. They eat cheese. They drink wine. What is up with these beautiful, healthy French women? Let’s take a stroll to see ways in which we can become more French:
- You were given legs, use them. That’s right walk more. Try walking to the store, to the work, to the park, to your neighbors. Get up and walk.
- Look at the types of fat. Processed, fast-foods give us crappy trans fats. Not real fats that our brains and bodies crave, but artifical man-made fats that our bodies do not know how to handle.
- Glass of red wine: again back to Monday’s post on longevity, some of them (some don’t drink at all) drink dark red wines in moderation. Think one glass a day, not holding off and drinking 7 on a Saturday night.
- Make eating a social event: I’ve said for me eating became something I hid, once we got into stricter eating programs. A far cry from the family meals I grew up with. Lately I have gone back to appreciating and appreciating the family meal or cooking and eating with friends. Eating is really an experience to the French. They take their time. Pace yourself. Savor the food. Give your body time (less likely to overeat). There’s less stress placed on eating.
- Stop snacking: since meals are to be savored, snacking isn’t necessary. Also eating on a regular schedule is better for digestion.
- Cut out the processed food. Again we taken ourselves away from the experience. We are frugal with our time. We cut corners when it comes to preparing food. We are lazy with our time. When it comes to food we cut corners, grabbing foods that are easy to prepare, which cut down on prep time, if not reaching for processed snacky foods that we can readily eat.
- Stress less. They French have a more laissez-fair approach to life. Take for instance their 30 days of paid vacations a year.
- Reduce Portion Sizes. Let’s be honest we are gluttons and our plates are too big and full.
Lesson from the French are the three R’s. Focus on these and while your at it throw down the F word fun. Three R’s: Family, friends, and food.
