Even with the influx of American fast-food chains, traditional French eating habits continue to live on. France is a country where food is a treat. Rather than merely giving the body what it needs to get through the day, the French savor and appreciate their food.
There is no denying that the French do things differently from many other countries. One of the ways that the French are different is in their eating habits. Curious to know more about what sets them apart?
Well, in this article we will tell you about the more optimal eating habits of the French. Here are a couple of eating habits that we could all benefit from.
They Have Fixed Schedules
Breakfast is served around 8:00 am. However, only 64% of people under the age of 25 eat from 5:00 am to 11:00 am. Lunchtime is around 1:00 pm, but 60% of managers, self-employed individuals, and intermediate professionals do not have lunch. Dinner time is after 8:00 pm and 25% of people spend it in front of the TV.
Foods They Can’t Live Without
Vegetables are carefully picked and cooked when they are the freshest and the ripest. They are served as side dishes or as part of the main course. Lettuce, leafy greens, tomatoes, onions, string beans, aubergines, cabbage, and zucchini are among the favorite vegetables. The French also use many truffles and other fungi and mushrooms that are locally produced.
Cheese is one of the things without which the French can’t live without. It is always served as part of a meal, directly after the main course and before dessert. France has about 500 different kinds of cheese, with each region making its own kind of cheese.
They Eat Good Food
Eating slowly is more comfortable when your meal tastes delicious. So the French diet shuns processed foods in favor of anything fresh and real. The breakfast is small; typically consisting of fruit and granola, bread, cereal, or yogurt, and coffee.
Lunch and dinner include small portions of meat, vegetables, and some form of starch, with a piece of cheese and coffee to finish off the meal. Foods that are a staple of the French diet include full-fat cheese and yogurt, butter, pasta, fresh fruits, and vegetables, which are often grilled or sautéed.
They Savor Their Food
Usually, French people eat in courses— appetizer, entrée, salad, dessert, milk, and coffee. Yet, they’re not pigging out. At home, it’s best to serve a quantity that doesn’t look quite enough, with the option of going back for seconds.
However, when you eat slowly and give your brain time to feel full, you’ll often find you’ve had enough. If not, you may need to go back for seconds.
Eat Smart
Snacks are minimal in the French diet. One study finds that people in France prefer to choose bread, cheese, yogurt, and fresh fruit on the rare occasions that they snack between meals, as opposed to cakes or candies. Remember, choose only fresh, real foods when cravings hit between meals. Plus, they’re often just as convenient as highly processed items. So enjoy your snack but do so conscientiously, free from shame.
Conclusion
Ultimately, these basic and essential habits are significant in French lifestyles. If you’re looking for a change in your eating habits, start by learning the French way. Additionally, you can click here for more food tips.
