The French are admired for their svelte figures and healthy lifestyles.  How do they do it?  Justine Kim debunks the mystery of French weight loss secrets.How did the French get so lucky?  It’s not enough that they spend their lives in one of the world’s most romantic cities and have the finest designers at their doorsteps, they also get to enjoy some of the richest cuisine, wash it down with a glass of wine and still stay slim and lead long lives.  According to the British Heart Foundation, in 1999, French males aged 35 to 74 years were two and a half times less likely to die of heart disease.  Only 8 per cent of French citizens are overweight, compared to 50 per cent of Americans.  Obesity is also far less common in France than it is in North America.

The ability of the French to indulge in life’s excesses is so baffling that studies have been conducted to discover the reason.  The phenomenon is called the French Paradox.  On the surface, it would seem as though their diet is worse than ours, but there is more to the French diet than just buttery foods and alcohol.  Here are a handful of simple steps that you can take to make the French Paradox work for you.

Petite Portions and Leisurely Meals

The French may love rich, fatty foods, but they eat less per meal.  Some researchers contend that smaller meal portions are a key reason obesity rates are lower in the French population.  A University of Pennsylvania study compared portion sizes in American restaurants to those of Parisian restaurants.  French portions were found to be smaller by an average of 25 per cent.  Americans have a different relationship with food that too often excludes pleasure and makes them eat more.

One reason smaller portions seem to satisfy the French may be that despite eating less food, they spend more time eating it.  A 2005 study found that although the French dinner time has decreased in recent years, it now averages about 40 minutes.  With the grab-and-go lifestyle that many North American families lead, this may sound surprisingly long.  Give it a try!  Actually take the time to enjoy a full meal.  Serve meals in several courses.  This practice stretches mealtime, makes less food seem like more and gives the body time to achieve satisfaction.  

The key to staying slim is to slowly savour small portions.  Take smaller bites and finish swallowing each bite before taking the next.  This allows more time for your body to digest what you are feeding it and it will give your body time to realize when it is full.  For the French, it is not the quantity of the food that counts as much as the quality.

Avoid Processed Foods

When you take a look at the commercials for food products on television, much of the emphasis is getting a meal into the oven and onto the dinner table as quickly as possible.  Many North American families seek quick-fix, pre-packaged, over-processed fast food options to save time.

The opposite is true in Europe.  People will take the time to cook a real meal from scratch.  The French also take the time to visit local farmer’s markets to buy fresh ingredients.  The benefit is not only better tasting food, but food that is better prepared and healthier.

Choose Good Fats

There are good fats and bad fats.  American diets tend to have a higher percentage of the bad fats, which comes from animals.  The French get most of their fat intake from dairy sources, such as whole milk, cheeses and whole milk yogurt.  None of that skim milk or low-fat yogurt for the French!  Dairy fats have been shown to be healthier than other forms of fat and they also make you full, so you tend to eat less.

Enjoy Wine and Desserts

The French traditionally take pleasure in a glass of wine with their meals.  Some studies show an antioxidant compound in grape skins aids in weight loss, improves the circulatory system and is good for overall health.  However, there are an equal number of studies that refute the health benefits of red wine, and results have yet to be conclusive.  The idea is to relax and enjoy a glass of wine with your meal.  The health benefits could come more from the act of relaxing than from the wine or food that your are consuming.

The best part of eating a full course meal is the dessert.  The key is to save room for it by having smaller portions of the other courses.  Also, stay away from desserts loaded with refined sugars.

Get Active

The French generally spend more time outdoors than we do and have a higher rate of daily activity.  It is a part of the leisurely life to ski in the Alps and take evening walks around the city.  Parisians walk everywhere instead of using cars or public transportation.  Studies have shown that fitting in 10 minutes of moderate activity periodically throughout the day can help you maintain a healthy weight.

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bon appétit

The French way of life could be the next big thing in health and diet fads.  Many North Americans are fed up with keeping count on calories and carb consumption.  The idea of losing weight by eating well is certainly a seductive alternative.

The French Paradox is not an excuse to indulge in an excess of wine and rich foods.  What it comes down to is that if you mix a little of the bad with enough of the good, you’ll be okay!


Sources:
MSNBC
About.com
USA Today