Why the French enjoy cheese every day yet stay fit. (Image Credit: Pinterest)
Cheese is the most widely consumed food globally, and French people don't devour it more passionately than anybody else. Ranging from rich Brie to smelly Roquefort, cheese forms part of French cuisine and daily meals. But here's the fascinating fact: while the French eat cheese almost daily, they still maintain lower levels of obesity and heart disease than most countries. So why do they not become ill from such a concentrated food? Let's consider.
The term "French Paradox" refers to the fact that the French are able to eat foods such as cheese, bread, and wine, but yet are healthier than individuals in most other Western countries. Scientists have been investigating this paradox for decades, and cheese is one element at the center of it.
Portion control is also a secret in French dining culture. They eat cheese daily, but it is much smaller in portion than you would be used to. It's enough to have just a bit of cheese after lunch or dinner. This tactful approach avoids too many calories without cutting people off from the flavor.
In France, cheese is often natural, fresh, and often produced locally. It is not overly processed or filled with artificial ingredients like many of the processed cheeses consumed all around the world. Quality cheese is full of nutrients such as calcium, protein, and probiotics that are wonderful for gut health. Eating real food, as opposed to processed versions thereof, actually does make a big difference.
French cheese, especially mature and fermented varieties like Camembert or Roquefort, is full of probiotics. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that improve digestion, boost immunity, and even assist in weight management. Healthy guts equate to general good health, and possibly this is the reason why cheese does not negatively impact the French diet to the extent one might have expected.
The French do not, by rule, consume cheese by itself as a high-calorie snack. Rather, it is presented as part of a well-balanced meal. Cheese is paired with vegetables, whole-grain bread, or fruit. The pairing provides fiber, vitamins, and minerals that counteract the fat and calories of cheese.
Another reason for the French paradox is lifestyle. A glass of red wine consumed daily, typically with cheese, contains antioxidants like resveratrol that shield the heart. To this must be added the emphasis on more walking, outdoor activities, and less fast food that characterizes the French lifestyle.
Every cheese makes its own contribution to the nutrition. Hard cheeses like Comté are high in calcium, while soft cheeses like Brie are full of healthy fats and protein. Blue cheeses like Roquefort even contain compounds that help reduce inflammation in the body. With a highly varied consumption of cheese, the French derive a mix of nutrients for long-term health.
French people learn the biggest lesson about moderation. The cheese is eaten daily, but in its moderate quantities with other healthy food. Instead of banning the cheese or referring to it as "unhealthy," it is a cultural heritage that is respected and eaten cautiously.
The French lifestyle can show you that it is possible to not give up on good foods like cheese in order to be healthy. By living actively, eating quality, in moderation, in balance, the French show that you can still be a healthy lifestyle even when you eat cheese every day. The next time you take a piece of cheese, bear in mind the French lifestyle, savor it slowly, eat a little bit less and pair it with healthy sides.
ALSO READ: Why Japan Has More Vending Machines, Than People in Some Towns?
