The usual French diet is low in sugar and high in saturated fat with breads, cheeses, meats, vegetables and red wine playing central roles. In recent years, many fad diets have gained popularity in France, particularly among French women. So the average French person on a diet may eat traditional French foods or eat according to a specific dietary regime.
Typical French Diet
The typical French diet features potatoes, poultry, salads, breads, cheeses, desserts, some meats and charcuterie--prepared meats including sausages, pâtés, bacon, ham and confit. Pastries are a part of the typical French diet, but these are buttery rather than sugary and are made in relatively small sizes. Fast food is less common in France than in America, and the processes of cooking and eating remain relatively social, family-centered activities in France.
French Paradox
The so-called "French Paradox" arises from the observation that, although French people on average eat more saturated fat than Americans, the rate of cardiac disease is much lower in France than America. This paradox was first noticed by French scientists in the 1980s, and is contrary to the common scientific belief that an increased intake of saturated fat raises your risk of heart disease.
A 2004 study in the journal "Heart" indicated that the French Paradox arises from other factors in the French diet, including average portion size and red wine consumption. It is believed that the consumption of red wine leads the French to suffer lower rates of cardiac disease than expected with this high-fat diet. In comparison to American diets, the French diet includes far less refined sugar.
Popular Diets in France
Many of the contemporary diets popular in America and elsewhere in Europe are also popular in France. Women's magazines, including Total Santé, Elle and the French version of Cosmopolitan, praise the virtues of various American and French diets at various points in time. These include the Detox Diet, the Britney Spears Diet, the Hollywood Diet and other familiar American dietary regimes.
Regime Dukan
Contemporary French dieting systems also include the Regime Dukan, a personalized slimming regimen developed by nutritionist Pierre Dukan. Dukan claims his regime to be one of the most successful in France, with an estimated 2 million users to date. The regime emphasizes regular exercise and restricts overall intake of fat, cholesterol and calories.
Member Comments