The French Say: Eat Slowly, Enjoy The Meal
Author: Joe Fowler
Time for reading: ~1
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
Obesity in France is a far more insignificant problem compared to the United States, for example, and let's not forget that our country is among the top places in such "rankings". Experts point out that the reason for the slender figure of the French lies in the small
Obesity in France is a far more insignificant problem than in the United States, for example, and let's not forget that our country is among the top places in such "rankings". Experts point out that the reason for the slender bodies of the French lies in the small portions they emphasize.
Studies at Cornell University and Penn State University have repeatedly shown that when large portions are served, consumption is higher. Paul Rosie, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, focused on comparing the size of dishes in Paris and Philadelphia. His research was based on restaurants with the same type of food, at similar prices and comparable location in the city. It turned out that even in fast food restaurants, Chinese restaurants, bistros, pizzerias and others, the amount of food served in France is on average 25% less.
Another basis for proving these results were cookbooks. They not only confirmed the percentage, but also found a 53% advantage of French meat dishes over American recipes. In vegetables, on the contrary, the correlation is reversed. Why are the French content with smaller portions? It is believed that one of the reasons is spending more time for lunch or dinner. Their average duration is about 40 minutes, which for an American, and in our country, is considered a complete waste of time.
Even if we are not ready to hang out with food, there is still something to learn from the French. For starters, we can reduce the portion size. That way we will eat less and not stay hungry. Another trick is to divide the dishes into first, second, third. This prolongs the time on the one hand, and on the other - creates the illusion of serving more than the actual amount of food. The inclusion of a salad or soup some time before the main dish creates a feeling of satiety, which reduces the need for a large portion after the first. If we are still hungry after that, it is better to afford fruit than to ask for more.
Studies at Cornell University and Penn State University have repeatedly shown that when large portions are served, consumption is higher. Paul Rosie, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, focused on comparing the size of dishes in Paris and Philadelphia. His research was based on restaurants with the same type of food, at similar prices and comparable location in the city. It turned out that even in fast food restaurants, Chinese restaurants, bistros, pizzerias and others, the amount of food served in France is on average 25% less.
Another basis for proving these results were cookbooks. They not only confirmed the percentage, but also found a 53% advantage of French meat dishes over American recipes. In vegetables, on the contrary, the correlation is reversed. Why are the French content with smaller portions? It is believed that one of the reasons is spending more time for lunch or dinner. Their average duration is about 40 minutes, which for an American, and in our country, is considered a complete waste of time.
Even if we are not ready to hang out with food, there is still something to learn from the French. For starters, we can reduce the portion size. That way we will eat less and not stay hungry. Another trick is to divide the dishes into first, second, third. This prolongs the time on the one hand, and on the other - creates the illusion of serving more than the actual amount of food. The inclusion of a salad or soup some time before the main dish creates a feeling of satiety, which reduces the need for a large portion after the first. If we are still hungry after that, it is better to afford fruit than to ask for more.
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