THE FRENCH PARADOX - why aren’t the French fat?

The French paradox - it’s a tricky question to answer from someone in the health industry. Why aren’t the French fat and sick when a large proportion of their diet is generally sweets, bread and wine?

Maybe the answer lies somewhere in their emotional space? Their lack of stress? Their habit of taking a two hour lunch break during the middle of the day?

These questions have been stirring in my mind whilst here in Basque Country and I’m yet to fully draw an explanation ... what do you guys think?

[francoispaulhammer]

We eat fat in France (butter, duck fat in the South West, lard...) and it keeps us healthy dude ;)

[trorisk]

-Cook from scratch.
-NEVER drink soft drink (just water).
-Fruits and vegetables.
-Fat and sugar but small portions. And if you're still hungry fruits. And we end with a hot drink to close the stomach
.

[laurenelizabeth]

Stress levels are probably lower as they have more cohesive social programs, shorter weeks, healthcare coverage, vacation time, maternity and paternity time, cohesive values, and a mobilized public who fight and somewhat efficiently create change.

[odile]

The French don't graze. Quality over Quantity that's the secret!

[pamelamiller]

The French aren’t fat because they walk and cook at home. Also it’s genes.

[pamelamiller]

This channel will grow! Because you are genuine !

[Lumlum]

Kinda intermiennt fasting + stupidly high fat food + low stress + physically active (walking ecc) = long happy thin life

[michaelkingsbury]

Regular meals consumed slowly in courses, portion control, healthy fresh ingredients, 1/4th the sugar (compared to the SAD, standard American diet), and walking. Easy.

[Eva-kdwi]

Hello, I am living in the sth of France, and i eat cheese and baguette every morning for breakfast, then i eat meats and some carbs for lunch but fr dinner its chicken or fish and vegies only, so i eat all my fats early in the day so i have all day to burn it off . And walk everyday minimum 30 min + work of course

[acarrca]

It’s the Raw cheeses and dairy! Pasteurization kills the miraculous properties of dairy and raw milk! The French Paradox is eating RAW dairy and cheeses!

[vincentpoens]

In France we have an expression who says: "le gras c'est la vie ! Fat, that's life " 😉

[megathedonald]

We French, we are generally in better health than the other nation (scientific fact) Why?

Because we drink a glass of wine per meal. Our traditional food is excellent and natural. And above all, we do a lot more love than others.

[pamelamiller]

Trying to share this with Kara and Nate and Gabriel Traveler on ytube no luck!

[JoeBtfzplk]

There is no paradox. Accept that your basic understanding of what foods are healthy is just plain wrong.

[andymullarx]

Have any obese Americans moved to France and experienced weight loss ?

[joaov.m.oliveira]

I don't think they eat nearly as much carbohidrate as people say. This constant bread eating is more of a false stereotype than reality.

Once I knew a French guy who had put on like 10 kg within six months living in Brazil and had to go through a rough diet to be recognized by his relatives when he went back home.