Eat Like a French Person

French culture places a huge importance on food and eating.  In France, eating is not just a way to fuel your body, it is a chance to relax, to meet friends and family, to enjoy life.  The French aren't obsessed with the nutritional information on the side of the packet.  In fact, there is no packet.  Traditionally, the French cook Real Food from fresh ingredients, and thoroughly enjoy it.  No guilty feelings about having a proper meal or having eaten dessert.  

Of course, if you are French, you grow up with this mindset about food, so you don't need to read this Hub!  But if you are not French, it is a mindset that can be adopted (and I must say, is a lot of fun!)  

In France, breakfast is a small meal.  No English fry-ups here!  Generally, French people start their day with a glass of water to rehydrate the body.  Breakfast always includes a hot drinks (tea, coffee or hot chocolate with lots of milk) and a couple pieces of bread leftover from the previous day.  The bread is either eaten plain or with some butter or jam.  Maybe a piece of fruit if you're still hungry.  That's it. Just something small to get you going.  

In France, lunch is called "le dejeuner".  Lunch is usually the biggest meal of the day - but if you are planning a large dinner, eat lightly at lunchtime.  Unlike in the US and UK, lunch is never a sandwich and packet of potato crisps/chips.  

Lunch is a sit-down meal with 2 or 3 courses.  The starter might be a salad or bowl of soup.  Then the main course, generally meat. And then optionally a small dessert or fresh fruit.  Often served with a glass of wine, even during the workday. (Although, it should be noted that glasses of wine in France are much smaller than our glasses in the US or UK!).  Always finishes with a small coffee.  

"Le Diner".  Dinner is again 2 or 3 courses, but lighter, if you've had a big lunch.  On a special occasion, the number of courses will increase, adding a salad course, cheese course, aperitifs (drinks before dinner), digestifs (drinks after dinner) and a nice dessert.  Again typically finishes with a small coffee.  

But what about the rest of the day? What about the snacks? Ah... here is the secret of the French: There are no snacks. Children (12 years and younger), they will often have a little gouter (snack) after school. Something small like a piece of bread and chocolate. But everyone else does not eat between meals. Nothing except water and coffee or tea! This surprised me while working in France, because in the US and UK there is a steady level of snacking going on throughout the day. I am now convinced eating and enjoying good, proper meals, with no snacking, is the key to how the French can eat with such gusto while remaining slim!

Bon appetit!