French way of life for healthy living

Here’s an amazing article about the French way of life for healthy living published in a local news paper. It is a must read and worth preserving for reference in the future.

7 healthy reasons why you should salute the French way of life

There’s something to adopt from every culture, and when it comes to health, nobody can beat the French. On many counts, the French are fitter and slimmer than their European counterparts. Here’s how to do it like them.

 

Eating Slowly

How many of you consume food slowly. I have seen couple of them eating very slowly and I used to assume they are the lazy ones. I am not a fast eater or a slow eater, mine is average. Let’s see how the French eat.

Even minor meals are made into social events where the food is savored and the pace is slow. It’s even common place to have large breaks of up to 30 minutes between savings. Aside from reducing stress, slowing your eating ensure that you don’t overeat since it takes some time for the brain to register feelings of fullness. Because meals are savored, the French have little time to snack, and when they do, they will reach for healthy alternatives like fruits and vegetables. To some, there’s nothing more satisfying than a midnight snack – the French feel otherwise. Although those movements of midnight snacking are satisfying, over the long run, the act can have a negative impact on your health.

 

No Processed Foods

The most important is the way the food is prepared. We should say no to processed foods, the reason being it is high in sodium, sugars and trans-fat. The French embrace fresh ingredients, their diet are based on saturated fats found in foods like cheese and cream which our body can metabolize easily.

 

A Glass of Red Wine

This is in my favor. I wouldn’t say no to Wine. I am OK to stick on to Red Wine. But the article mentioned that the nutritional research shows that the French diet is high and yet they have lower rates of heart disease. The phenomenon is so confusing that it has even been given a name: the French Paradox. It’s believed that Resveratrol, a constituent of red wine, is responsible for the drinks healthy benefits, although more research is needed to confirm.

 

Say yes for variety

Nutritional experts believe that it’s the unique variety found in France’s Mediterranean diet that separates the French from the rest. So, step outside of your comfort zone and try a new restaurant or fill your plate with an assortment of healthy foods, not just a heaped serving of the entrée.

 

Walk Walk Walk

This is known to everybody but still we walk less. In France, people prefer to walk more than traveling by vehicle.

 

Limit your food

The French wouldn’t like lots of food on the place and so most of us. Reduce your intake.

 

Don’t stress yourself

It’s no secret that the French enjoy a more laissez-faire way of life. Keeping in mind that a vacation is not the only way to relax, try to take a page from their life and focus on good friends, family and food. Cooking is a great way to cope with stress, thus, take the time to learn how to prepare meals from scratch.