I just returned from Paris (a two-decade dream in the making) and I was determined to discover why it is that “French Women Don’t Get Fat” and “French Kids Eat Everything”; two books that make quite the outrageous claims. After observing the French for two weeks I saw certain behaviors that gave me some interesting insights. Based on my observations, and assuming for the moment that these authors’ claims are indeed true, these may be some reasons why the French manage their weight better:
#1 There are no “Express Check Out” lines in grocery stores for those with 10 or less items. The French buy only what they need for the next meal. Most only buy a few items at a time.
#2 I did not see “Buy 1 liter of soda and get another for free” or “Buy 1 bag of chips and get the next half off” in the grocery stores I went into.
#3 I never saw the French walking around with a bottle of soda, juice, and vitamin water in their hand. They consider eating and drinking in public rude.
#4 Eating and drinking happens when one takes the time to sit and eat and enjoy.
I don’t think it is so much the “what they eat” but the “how” that really makes a difference. Can you imagine buying just what you needed for yourself or your family for that day? I know this can seem like a daunting task but if I “American-ize” this suggestion; how much better would our kids diet be if we (the parent) and they (the child) didn’t impulse buy because the deal on soda and chips was a great buy; what if we stuck to a grocery list for the ingredients we needed to make a weeks worth of meals. I think this would make a huge impact on our families diet.
#1 There are no “Express Check Out” lines in grocery stores for those with 10 or less items. The French buy only what they need for the next meal. Most only buy a few items at a time.
#2 I did not see “Buy 1 liter of soda and get another for free” or “Buy 1 bag of chips and get the next half off” in the grocery stores I went into.
#3 I never saw the French walking around with a bottle of soda, juice, and vitamin water in their hand. They consider eating and drinking in public rude.
#4 Eating and drinking happens when one takes the time to sit and eat and enjoy.
I don’t think it is so much the “what they eat” but the “how” that really makes a difference. Can you imagine buying just what you needed for yourself or your family for that day? I know this can seem like a daunting task but if I “American-ize” this suggestion; how much better would our kids diet be if we (the parent) and they (the child) didn’t impulse buy because the deal on soda and chips was a great buy; what if we stuck to a grocery list for the ingredients we needed to make a weeks worth of meals. I think this would make a huge impact on our families diet.
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