If someone who imagines the image of a western man with a big belly And there is a risk of many diseases that the person is probably not really “French”, but before going deep into the cause We have to look at the areas where the longest people live in the world, known as the “Blue Zones”, which are areas with average life expectancy of nearly 100 years, which is extremely rare. The blue zones in Europe are located in Sardinia, Italy and Ikaria, Greece.
Well, France isn’t in the Blue Zone, but if you look at the eating habits, it’s not that different from the people on these two islands. And the average life expectancy for French people is no small: about 89 years for women and 81 years for men. “French food” that French people eat.
Overall, France is a European nation with a small percentage of obese people, at around 24% (compared to Americans, it is at 36%), with 5 important things that make French food considered a healthy food because of 4 reasons as follows:
1.) French food is rich in good fats.
Oil is used both for cooking and in vinaigrette. The oils used are vegetable oils, such as peanut oil, canola oil, and canola oil. ), or even olive oil. The oils from these groups of plants are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3, which are good for health. And helps to reduce the risk of various circulatory diseases.
French people do not like fried food. Because deep frying uses a lot of oil that has been processed. The French therefore use the oils from the plants mentioned in their cooking mainly.
2.) Animal products that are present in every meal.
Animal fats are actually good. Especially real cheese, which is rich in minerals such as calcium (Calcium), potassium (Potassium), phosphorus (Phosphorus), vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and probiotics. They are not found in the margarine category, which is harmful to the body. And, of course, the fat from real cheese. It will provide high energy that will allow the body to get enough energy and satisfy the stomach.
It also does not include trans fats that we will not find in the diet of the French for sure. Which of these is not found in margarine, which is harmful to the body.
3.) French dishes tend to be small plates.
It may not be directly related to nutrition like the first two, but it is clearly noted that French food usually comes in small quantities in larger-looking containers. Based on the principle of Mindful eating, which is the principle of human psychology that We can trick the body into eating less if we take the same amount of food but put it on a bigger plate. The body is tricked into being full faster by the size of the plate.
The French food focuses on “quality” rather than “quantity of food” less is more !!!
4.) French cuisine has a strong emphasis on the aesthetics of eating.
One of the aesthetics is French food will make people eat less and slow down. from the culture of dishing and serving Which will not be added at the same time as Chinese food, which will make people who are hungry, have the opportunity to overeating (overeating) easily.
french food It is usually served as a plate or as a “course”, one dish at a time, and then the next dish is served. which is consistent with the scientific reason for “stomach enlargement” and “saturation hormone to work” will cause our stomach to expand slowly and send signals to the brain to feel full enough
Conclusion
french food that is considered “Healthy food” is also due to two factors: one, from the food itself. that tends to focus on eating products of animal or plant origin through processing and adding additives in small proportions And it has been adapted more for the body from the French food culture that will naturally satisfy the body. through psychological principles such as Putting small amounts of food on large plates or serving small portions of food and not served at the same time
And here are 4 reasons that should be enough to make the reader think that How does “French food” affect health? And you can apply some principles to everyday life like a French person as well. Even though we are in Thailand !
