Eating habits of the French : eat with conscience!

As a French living abroad, I’m often asked about eating habits of the French, and in particular how we manage to stay healthy while eating croissants and cheese every day!

Even though the French love fatty, sweet foods such as cheese and sweets pastries and wine, the French are on average healthier and have lower rates of obesity than their neighbors. This phenomenon is often referred to as the“French paradox“.

In this article, I’ve set out to explain eating habits of the French in detail, while sharing my experience and culture, to give you some simple ideas on how to eat better and live healthier.

Conscious eating

One of the most important habits in France is what we call “conscious eating”. In our family, meals were always special moments when we all gathered around the table to share a good meal.

In France, we know how important it is to savor every mouthful, without distractions like TV or phones. Even today, even if I’m sometimes overwhelmed, I always make sure I sit down quietly to eat, even if it’s just to heat up a frozen quiche.

This break allows me to really taste and appreciate what I’m eating and disconnect from my work. This habit makes meals more enjoyable, and also helps me avoid overeating, as I’m more aware of how much I’m consuming.

The importance of regular mealtimes

In France, we have well-defined mealtimes, and it’s a habit I’ve always followed. Breakfast is between 7 and 8 am, lunch between 12 and 1 pm, and dinner between 7 and 8:30 pm.

These times can be quite strict. If you’re on vacation in France, you’ll find it hard to find a place to eat at 3 or 6 pm.

What’s more, we rarely skip meals, and each one is important. The breakfast is often light but essential, with coffee, bread and fruit. The lunch is the main meal, while dinner is lighter.

As we say in France, this precise rhythm helpsavoid snacking and overeating in general.

Portion control: enjoy smaller quantities

Another essential aspect of French eating habits is portion control. In France, quality is always preferred to quantity.

Traveling and living abroad, I’ve noticed that portions are often much larger elsewhere. It’s true that at home, dishes are smaller, but we often add a starter, such as raw vegetables, to balance the meal.

Social meals: the pleasure of eating together

In France, eating is a social activity, and it was very important in my family. We ate every meal together, except lunch, and I’ve kept this tradition alive at home.

Sharing a meal with others makes the moment more enjoyable and encourages slower eating.

Mealtime isn’t just a time to eat. It’s a special time of the day, to spend time together, talk about the day and reconnect. This tradition of eating with family and friends also helps digestion and makes meals more relaxing and enjoyable.

Quality over quantity

The French are often renowned for their love of fresh, quality ingredients. My mother always made a point of buying seasonal and local produce. We had an excellent market in the town where I grew up, and I’ve kept the habit.

We rarely went to restaurants, and to this day, I don’t think my mother has ever brought home a pizza! By avoiding processed foods and choosing fresh, seasonal ingredients, we naturally eat a diet rich in nutrients and low in harmful substances.

In fact, that’s why I created this blog: to give everyone the desire to cook at home, without spending hours in the kitchen. I share simple, healthy recipe ideas inspired by French cuisine!

Conclusion: Adopt French habits for a healthier life

Looking back on my childhood and the eating habits I’ve kept, I realize there’s a lot to learn from the way the French approach food.

In short, if you practice mindful eating, stick to regular meal times, control your portions, enjoy meals in the company of others and favor quality ingredients, you can develop a healthier relationship with food.

You don’t have to adopt all the eating habits of the French. However, incorporating some of these practices into your daily routine, even from time to time, can help you eat more healthily. It can also help you rediscover the pleasure of cooking.

Don’t hesitate to leave me a comment to tell me which habit you find most important!