The French diet is a group of foods and lifestyle choices that when compared to the American diet and lifestyle, represents a slower and more appreciative approach to health. French people have a reputation for savoring life's pleasures. They value art, fashion, perfumes and rich foods. The French diet incorporates this attention to pleasure within limits that provide healthy effects.
Limited Portion Sizes
Eleven percent of French people are overweight compared with 67 percent of Americans. Mireille Guiliano, author of the book "French Women Don't Get Fat," explains that portion size may be the reason. The French include decadent foods, such as pizza, chocolate and pastries, in their diet, however, they include them only occasionally and eat them in small portions.
Integrate Exercise into Lifestyle
The number of gyms in France is limited, according to Guiliano, because the French approach to exercise is less literal than the American approach. The French integrate exercise into their daily lives by walking and climbing stairs. Again, enjoyment is emphasized and the concept of maintaining health as work is rejected.
Nutritional Content
The French diet is not aligned with USDA nutrition recommendations, according to a 1996 study by the University of Michigan. The USDA recommends that fewer than 30 percent of daily calories comes from fat and only 86 percent of the French eat more than this percentage. Instead, according to Guiliano, meals should include a healthy balance of carbohydrates, protein and fats. However, calorie counting is discouraged. Specific ingredients she emphasizes in her book include dark chocolate, yogurt, leeks and ample levels of water.
Health Effects
The French have a lower rate of cardiovascular disease compared with other developed countries, according to a 1994 study by the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. The French paradox is a term applied to the relatively low occurrence of heart disorders in France compared with other developed countries that have similar dietary patterns. Researchers examined the diets and health statistics for 21 developed countries during four different yearly periods and discovered that France had the highest level of alcohol intake and the second lowest prevalence of mortality due to cardiovascular disease.
References
- Oprah.com: The Secret French Diet
- PBS.org: 5 Things You Need to Know About the French Diet
- American Dietetic Assocation: The French Don't Diet Plan: 10 Simple Steps to Stay Thin for Life
- Lancet: Does Diet or Alcohol Explain the French Paradox?
- Journal of American Dietetic Association: Diet quality and dietary diversity in France: Implications for the French Paradox
Member Comments