The French Secret to Healthier Eating

It is very interesting. The main point I got out of it is that you have to have a receptive and intelligent society to listen. The French experience sounds like it depended on government to lead the way. In the US, we'd rather listen to advertisers, industry groups, TV/social media "experts", etc., than science. It's hard to educate adults against their will. IYKYK

I love the emphasis on shortcuts that are still healthful, like the frozen section--and recognizing that the time and effort of cooking is the true obstacle. Processed does not mean "ultra-processed" (i.e., what we used to call junk food)!

If we had a Picard store I might quit cooking completely. Marvelous frozen items from single ingredients to entrees. Very high quality.

While in Italian grocery stores selection — other than the pasta aisle — seems narrow, when we moved back to the US after several years living in Italy, the massive number of flavor selections in snack foods floored us. Ditto the ever-expanding drinks market, especially flavored waters and energy drinks. It approaches idiocy and encourages very unhealthy habits. Does anyone really need an Oreo inspired by Turkey and Gravy?

Ms. Touvier, mentioned in this article, says she buys pre-cut frozen onions at Picard. That must be a Parisian thing; I don't know anyone in my circle who does that. When you cook a dish yourself, chopping a fresh onion is part of cooking; it takes barely a minute and costs 50% less than a frozen product. Saying you don't have enough time is a lame excuse.

If this article were published in France, it would look like a commercial promotion for Picard.

Ms. Touvier is surely an expert as a nutritionist, but I wouldn't go to her house for dinner! lol

Picard is available online in the UK and it’s very expensive. I believe it’s a luxury line even in France. The quality is very high but it’s definitely not the answer to everyday healthy eating at a population level.

The availability of fresh food is very important and it’s impressive that France has prioritised that. I also like the emphasis on using tinned and frozen foods. There’s sometimes a belief that these foods aren’t as good for you.

It’s easy to look down your nose at processed and convenience food but for many people it serves a very useful purpose.

As much as I would love to be able to chop an onion disability means that it is not possible. Frozen chopped onions are incredibly useful and allowed me to cook, rather than just reheat, for a lot longer than if I was struggling with a knife and onion. Similarly ready meals allow me to heat and eat something without endangering myself with heavy pans and oven trays.

On a side note I dated a Frenchman for a few years back in my 20s and he had the worst eating habits of anyone I have ever met. I am surprised he is still alive!

Here is a link to the longevity of each nation. Scroll down to find your country and then ask yourself what it is about the diet and lifestyle in Japan & HK that puts them at the top? Of course, the public health system also has a lot to do with longevity.
https://www.worldometers.info/demographics/life-expectancy/#google_vignette

I've read in quite a few places that smoking is used as an appetite suppressant in France more widely than many other nations so I wouldn't be surprised if that lowers their obesity rates.

Picard is by no means a luxury store. It’s very basic. My freezer has Picard puréed celery root, carrot purée, mashed potatoes, something they mistakenly call chili con carne but I fix it up to bring it up to my standards. I add crème fraîche or curry powder and butter to the veggies. Some of the prepared dishes are meh IMO compared to my own. But Findus does a good job with fish, spinach. For just the two of us, I cook duck confit and add garlic and cans of white beans from Monoprix, anything to make it easier on a daily basis. Simple, healthy, good. You betcha I use frozen when a certain Monsieur and I have our main meal, lunch, at home every day of the week.
No chopped onions from Picard in my house especially when the vendors bring those wonderful sweet Cévennes onions to my market.
Yes, we eat well, no we don’t eat all those pastries, while croissants are for celebrations.

I've noticed that lots of foreign tourists want to go to markets in France, whether in big cities or rural farmers' markets, or to buy croissants in traditional bakeries.

I don't think they would still have the opportunity to see markets with fresh produce or bakeries if all French people bought frozen products from Picard stores or the frozen food sections of supermarkets (Yes, you can find frozen croissants there too).

Imagine a farmers' market with nothing but freezers...

In markets, you walk, which is physical activity. It's good for your health, and in French it's the same word: marche (walk) - marché (market).

Interesting seeing Findus mentioned above- I think in the UK that brand is best known for the so-called "horse meat scandal" in 2013 when it was found their "beef" lasagne contained up to 100% horse meat. I trust they've sorted out their supply chains in the intervening decade plus.

I always thought Picard was very fancy so it's interesting to know it's considered basic locally. In general I think you have better food over there!

The other day I heard a rule of thumb about supermarkets that was new to me --

a guy told me that his brother-in-law is a manager at a chain supermarket and he says the way to stay healthy is not to shop in the middle of the store, just shop the periphery.

The periphery is where they have the produce and butcher and fresh breads, etc. The aisles are where the ultra-processed products are shelved. Keep to the periphery and avoid the aisles and you're halfway towards a healthy diet already.

Interesting, non?

The French love McDonalds.

One secret I’d like to know—- How can anyone in France pass by a Patisserie? Yet I see them do it as I stare in the window from the sidewalk.

And once again when I’m inside paying for my treats.

C’est la vie.

I would add that Europeans probably walk more than N. Americans do, as they don’t hop in a car for a five minute drive to the grocery store.
They also don’t bulk-buy as much as we tend to do, to stock up as if the world was ending, but shop daily or every couple of days, perhaps buying food that is more fresh.

Picard is available online in the UK and it’s very expensive. I believe it’s a luxury line even in France.

Not at all.

@ S J 's comment "I would add that Europeans probably walk more than N. Americans do"

Let me save Emma the trouble of replying by pointing out that this is not a helpful generalisation because the variability within the categories 'Europeans' and 'N.Americans' is much greater than between them.

Consider Manhattan, NY and Houston, TX. Both are N. American, but one involves much more walking than the other.

Also:

https://northamericancommunityhub.com/most-walkable-cities/

They also don’t bulk-buy as much as we tend to do, to stock up as if
the world was ending, but shop daily or every couple of days, perhaps
buying food that is more fresh.

That's difficult to do when you live in a rural area. N. America is a vast place, and many live considerable distance to the nearest grocery store. "Food deserts" are also barriers to healthier, more easily accessed food even in urban areas for residents with limited transport options.

That's difficult to do when you live in a rural area. N. America is a vast place, and many live considerable distance to the nearest grocery store.

This. That's one of the things I loved (and still miss) about living in Minneapolis (and Cincinnati). I could walk to several grocery stores that were within a mile of my place (one was a lovely co-op). Here in Duluth, I have to drive everywhere—at least 20 minutes or more to shop for food.

"a guy told me that his brother-in-law is a manager at a chain supermarket and he says the way to stay healthy is not to shop in the middle of the store, just shop the periphery."

This is the first thing you learn as a new plant-based eater, lol. Frozen food aisles for veggies and fruit are OK too.

I agree with Kate and Mardee as well, regarding the accessibility of food. I lived in a very small town prior to moving to CdA and the closest grocery store was 20 minutes away except for the convenience store attached to the gas station (potato chips, nacho chips and Slim Jims). Here the closest is about 10 minutes with traffic and I do wind up going to the natural food store for organic produce several times a week. Fred Meyer (Kroger) for the big grocery shop, Pilgrims for fruit and veg and Trader Joes every few months for some select things. None are close enough to walk. Of course I am retired and enjoy cooking so I don't mind extra shopping trips. I would not want to do this if I still worked!

Thanks for the article, Mardee!

And yes....sigh....I ate the non-vegan pastries at my local patisserie nearly every day over my last trip to France. I also had Cafe Gourmand for dessert when I had not had pastries earlier. Yum to a selection of 3 small sweets!

To me, a key factor, barely addressed in the article, is the relative lack of food deserts in France compared to what I've seen of the USA. French cities, towns and suburbs tend to be really well served by grocery stores, and French grocery stores are food-centric. They thin out a bit in the countryside of course, but it is rarely that bad.

Conversely, I've always noted the relative lack of good grocery stores even in relatively central areas of major American cities, and bodegas don't really plug that gap - their food offerings are largely inferior to that of small corner stores in France.

@ Mardee....thanks for posting this valuable and enlightening article, certainly something to learn from.

I recall in the early 1990s when "the French paradox" hit the news so much so that "60 Minutes" did a reportage on this revelation. I made it point to see that program.

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relative lack of food deserts in France compared to what I've seen of the USA.

In French kitchen and restaurants cheese variations often play a big role as dessert [typer edited]. There is also a saying: "Käse schließt den Magen." (cheese closes the stomach) which is btw also nutrition-wise correct. Around cheese as desert in France there is a funny part in a Michael Moore's documentation "where to invade next".

Mark I believe it was "food desert" not dessert. Places lacking in grocery stores or other reasonable places to buy food.

Mark, just to expand on that a bit; while food deserts can be in rural areas, they are more commonly used to refer to poverty stricken inner-city areas. I live in a rural area and the nearest grocery store is about 20-25 minutes away. But I have a car and enough money for gas, so it's easy for me to get to the store.

However, in inner-city areas, many grocery stores have migrated from the city to the suburbs, which makes it more difficult for low-income residents living in the city, who often have no access to easy transportation, to be able to shop for healthy and affordable groceries. And generally residents in these areas do not have land available to grow their own food like people in the suburbs or rural areas do. Hence the term, food desert.

Well done, Mardee.
My husband and I volunteer at a food shelf and too often what's easily available to inner-city/first- ring residents are expensive convenience stores, or Dollar stores with no fresh-food options.