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The French, in terms of diet
and disease, are a statistical enigma. They relish high
fat food, consume alcohol regularly and often smoke - the
very picture of the World Health Organisation’s ‘risk
group’. High protein, meat based meals include duck,
goose and pork - even cooked in fat as a preference!
Butter, cream, pork fat and wine are regular ingredients.
Yet they have comparatively
low rates of stomach and colon cancer and the
second-lowest world incidence of heart disease after
Japan. ‘The French Paradox’ is well known to
nutritionists and reasons for this statistical enigma are
emerging.
One of their pet names for
the English is ‘Les Ros Bif’, in reference to the
traditional overcooked Sunday roast dinner. French cooking
is much lighter than British, leaving many of the valuable
nutrients in the food, rather than throwing them out with
the pan water. The French relish their food and eat
widely, they often take the trouble to prepare meals from
fresh, home-grown, organic produce, meaning they get more
minerals and nutrients from food.
They also mix food elements
to compliment each other, from a very wide base of
ingredients that change with the seasons. High protein
dishes are accompanied by generous salads and nutritious,
easily assimilated soups are popular. Dried broad beans
and chick peas are also part of winter staples, adding
anti-oxidant beans and pulses to a wide diet. It is a well
celebrated fact that the French eat everything!
Polyphenols in red wine and
the intelligent French use of herbs in cooking help to
break down fats in the food and aid digestion. Alcohol
licensing laws in France also mean that they tend not to
‘binge drink’ as much as countries with more
restrictive licensing laws. The anti-oxidant properties of
red wine in its moderate but steady intake are a
contributing factor to French health.
Research in McDonalds
restaurants in France also reveals interesting evidence.
It was found in America that the average time it took a
person to consume a burger was 11 minutes. In France this
doubled to 22 minutes. In France eating is often a
cultural and family activity. They take their time eating
and conversation is an important part of sharing food.
They make eating into a quality time. The French diet is
‘Epicurean’ compared to the American ‘convenience’
diet, where cheap, snack food is widely available wherever
you go. The car centred culture of America also means its
inhabitants sometimes lack exercise.
The French have an attitude
to eating that is not fixated on health or medicalising
food, just simple enjoyment of wholesome and fresh
ingredients prepared well. People in rural France often
value the whole process of food from growing it right
through to preparing and eating. It is no surprise that
internationally known French phrases include such as
‘Bon appetit’ or ‘Joi de vivre’.
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