Articles

By Dr Kim Hayes Medical Doctor at Complete Healthcare International, Body with Soul Total Healthcare Network

Velout’e D’asperges Glace au Yaourt
Terine de Canard sur lit de figures croquantes
Filets de sole aromatises a l’huile d’olive
et son gratin de poireaux onctueux
Petits crottins de chevre frais aux trois poivres
Sorbet de lavande aux amandes et Nougatine

 

What if the above French menu could be a medical prescription from one of our doctors at CHI while at 45 years old you discover you are:

• Overweight according to the Body Mass Index Table,
• your cholesterol is above normal, and
• you may suffer from a coronary heart disease in 2 to 5 years…

The French Lifestyle Paradox is related to :

• Good fats versus bad fats – French people get up to 80% of their fat intake from diary and vegetable sources.
• Higher quantities of fish.
• Smaller portions, eaten more slowly and divided among courses that let the body begin to digest food already consumed before more food is added
• Lower sugar intake – American low-fat and no-fat foods often contain high concentrations of sugar. French diets avoid these products preferring full-fat versions without added sugar.
• Avoidance of common American food items, such as soda, deep-fried foods, snack foods, and especially prepared foods. (according to the Fat Fallacy by Dr Will Clower).

Moreover, Dr Kim adds the following points:

• Savouring food to increase the feeling of satisfaction, choosing a small amount of high quality food rather than larger amounts of low quality food
• Eating 3 meals a day and not snacking.
• Taking in plenty of liquid such as water, herbal tea and soup.
• Sitting down and eating mindfully – French tend to be very conservative in their eating habits.

French eating culture is fundamentally different, they focus on food and gastronomy and allow time for meals. While French are slowly adding take-out (“a emporter” in French), it is part of the culture to set aside a time and place to savour their meals.

Then, let’s try “La doucer de vivre a la Francaise”… Enjoy croissants, tartes aux fruits rouges, and camembert and make time for it! Sante!

Published by FOCUS MAGAZINE– French Chamber of Commerce Singapore September 2011