Welcome back to Carol’s Bootcamp…I can’t think why I called it that as this is not about being on a diet but Healthy Eating and I know some people like structure but at some point you will either get fed up with the restrictions of the said diet and then pile the pounds back on or spend the rest of your life eating foods which you don’t really enjoy but they are supposed to be good for you… Well, to hell with all that!

Life is for living…Food is for enjoying…

So what I have decided to do is some comparisons …It started with a headline about obesity …Country by country and percentages and then I got to thinking about the difference in lifestyles and options or just what we have always eaten..But then those stats began to make sense to me…

Today I am looking at the eating habits of the French…

France sits at numero 66 with a % of 23.9%.

If you wish to check where your country sits Click Here

It has been many years since my last visit to France and they have always been in the forefront for food and wines and are known for beautiful raw milk artisan cheeses and of course bread. Their pastries include macarons, croissants so many the choice is mind-blowing and waist-expanding…

The French are among the slimmest race in Europe… But…Obesity is on the increase.

Their food has fewer preservatives than most countries and home cooking is high on the agenda as is buying from local farmers and markets…Although fast food outlets are on the increase the French mainly stick to their values and eating together as families and work colleagues are mainly still the norm.

Although the large supermarkets and out-of-town stores have longer opening hours  locally shops are only open Mon through to Saturdays with Sundays being closed or only open until noon thus leaving the afternoon for a leisurely family lunch which can last for over 2 hours..this is much like the Thai way of eating  where food is meant to be enjoyed and you sit at a table and eat, children are also expected to eat what the adults eat you will not see children’s menus here or very few because of that practice…Good eating habits are taught from an early age no picky eaters here…

The French also eat smaller portions and very rarely snack…They have a sweet time around 4pm when the children come out of school called “Le gouter ” which is a daily ritual and never missed. You may also find adults eating something sweet in a cafe at this time.

Walking and cycling are encouraged here in France and my abiding memory is lots of bikes and people walking…So why the increase in obesity?

Maybe the youngsters are spending more time online and tending to snack more …I don’t know sometimes these things just creep up on you …don’t they? Pretty much like us really we adopt a sensible eating plan and then maybe a snack or two creeps in and before we know it those pounds creep back on.

What do the French traditionally eat? 

Duck and rabbit are still eaten and like the English and the Thais, most or all of the animal is eaten…Escargots snails in Garlic, Coq Au Vin, Beef Bourguignon, Onion Soup, Croissants, Macarons, Creme Brule( one) of my favourite desserts so many meals which are known and eaten around the world…

French Cuisine is one of the best with the main meal being midday and it is very rare the French go out for drinks they go out to Dinner.

Although the French are renowned for their love of wine still or sparkling water is the preferred accompaniment to a meal although many still drink wine although the wine glasses are smaller than you would find elsewhere around the world. It is also rare to see fizzy drinks or a pint of beer on the dinner table.

Overall I do think that the French have a healthy attitude to food with their three meals a day plus the Le Gouter ( sweet) treat, smaller portions and no snacking. They have 3-course meals starter, main and dessert and maybe a cheese course so I suppose you wouldn’t need to snack…Would you??? Kids they are expected to eat the same as the adults so again no picky eaters allowed… Plus walking or riding a bike is good exercise..

Before I go  I hope you have enjoyed the insight into how the French eat and what they eat…

I have been shocked this week…I was browsing the internet as we do and came across what I thought were absolutely ludicrous claims ” Lose 40 lbs in 4 weeks and all without having a limb amputated…Really??

Mix baby oil and camphor rub into your belly fat and watch it disappear… Really???

Well if you take a daily walk you would lose belly fat and much more…I did…Why would I want to smell like a pine tree ???

Does anyone seriously …read this crap and do it???

If anyone doesn’t get the meaning of a pink pig flying it is an English saying when we don’t believe something …Oh, Look! A pink pig just flew past!

Fads don’t work…Healthy Eating…No snacking every hour and exercise …THAT WORKS!

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