What France can teach Americans about Living Well

1) They’re not afraid of carbs.

There’s no ‘low carb‘ fad in France. Everywhere you look people are eating baguettes. And they are delicious.

2) The health care system in France.

I paid 100 Euros ($138) for a root canal. The average price of a root canal in America = $800-1,200.

3) They don’t eat on the go.

Most Parasian take their time and enjoy every aspect of eating food. It might seem simple, but it makes a surprisingly big difference when it comes to eating mindfully.

4) They take vacation seriously.

They have at least 5 weeks paid vacation. Unheard of in the US.

5) They eat high-quality food in small portions

It’s not uncommon in France to visit four or five different stores just for food, which can include a bakery, butcher and produce stand. And there is no ‘super-size.’

6) They have a positive relationship with food

The French have one of the healthiest attitude towards food. Eating is seen as a social time to enjoy family and friends.

A study comparing the attitudes toward food of four different nations found that Americans equate food the most with health and the least with pleasure, while the French equate food the most with pleasure and the least with health. Hummm..

In Summary-

I think the biggest thing we can learn from French food culture is to cultivate a healthy attitude towards food and eat real foods.

If you decide to eat a slice of homemade chocolate cake at your grandma’s birthday dinner, don’t wallow in guilt – enjoy it.