Eat Healthy, Sil Vous Plait ;)

Has anyone ever wondered how the French manage to stay trim, even while eating many of the things we are advised to avoid, like butter, eggs, and cheese? Even though they enjoy rich foods denied to most dieters, they still manage to have lower cholesterol levels and less heart disease than most others! Look at the statistics- 11% of French adults are said to be obese, while 3 times as many Americans suffer from that condition.

And it's not only about the French- we see that even our previous generations stayed healthy after eating a lot of food that we abstain from in quest for a ‘healthy’ living and diet. They even lived longer, had a fewer health problems during their lifetimes, and enjoy the food without ever feeling guilty!

So, what’s missing?

Let’s take a look at what they eat, or ate. Their typical diet includes more fresh food, such as bread, fruit and vegetables. That means that they consume less processed foods, which tend to contain high carbohydrates and preservatives. Thus, what they eat is generally more healthy and nutritious than what we consume. Choosing foods that are natural rather than processed when we cook go a long way towards improving our health, our waistline, and our satisfaction level with eating.

How you eat is also an important factor. Most of the people who are seen to enjoy good health give priority to mealtimes, making them a social and family experience. That way, they eat less, feel satisfied with their meals, and also get to enjoy the rich food and drink that we often tend to feel guilty about. They don’t just eat for the sake of eating- they embrace the joy of eating. Modern lifestyle has resulted in people wolfing down food on the run, while running from one place to the next. The result? Health problems, increasing waistlines, and not getting to enjoy the food we are eating. It’s official: Studies have shown that when we make time for meals and eat at a more relaxed pace, we end up being more satisfied with what we have consumed, even though we actually have eaten less food.

All we gotta do is break up our meals in courses with smaller portions, take smaller bites, and let our taste buds experience all the flavor that each bite has to offer!!

Happy eating... oops, mealing!!