Here, she shares 14 French secrets to eating well.
The French don’t snack.
By and large, adults don’t eat between meals.
Food has a defined time and place (three meals a day, plus coffee).
The French don’t eat while walking, driving, or working.
French portions are way smaller than American portions.
It took me several years to learn to pace myself at a French dinner party.
The French still serve meals in courses.
There’s no takeout.
In my village of 1,300 people, at least.
Because of this, I cook almost every night.
I make fish on Thursdays and Fridays, when I can buy it fresh from the market.
I often buy whole fish, which is simple to broilthe skin protects the fillets.
I’m putting in a complaint to the management.
Herbal tea can curb hungerand cure a cold.
My French mother-in-law introduced me to the idea of drinking herbal tea throughout the day.
It cuts appetite and keeps me hydrated.
After lunch or dinner, I’ll often have a square of dark chocolate with my tea.
Sometimes traditional is better.
Don’t be afraid of eating animalsand don’t waste them either.
I get itI grew up buying meat under cellophane too.
Soup is a magical cure-all.
Soup is thought to have magical properties in France.
Want your kids to eat green vegetables?
The French like their soup the Vitamix wayas creamy veloutes rather than the Chunky Soup of my childhood.
I use my immersion blender more than any other piece of equipment in my kitchen.
I usually make soup from a single vegetablepumpkin, broccoli, or zucchini.
I add the steamed vegetables to a base of onion sauteed in a generous amount of olive oil.
The olive oil adds richness without using milk or creamand doesn’t hide the taste of the veggies.
Local can be more important than organic.
Neighbors leave bags of tomatoes and have us come to pick the cherries off their trees.
GMO fruits and vegetables are illegal in France.
Ancient grains aren’t a trendthey’re a culinary staple.
Petit epeautre (einkorn wheat) has been grown in Provence for thousands of years.
Is the most ancient form of wheat (never hybridized).
Einkorn flour is great for crepes or even cookies.
Dieting has no place here.
Preparing and sharing food is one ofperhaps the essentialpleasure of French culture.
Healthy food in France comes from moderation.
There are no forbidden foods, only excess is looked down upon.
The French have never been afraid of fat, so a small portion is often very satisfying.
11. Who you eat with is as important as what you eat.
Mealtimes are still family time in France.
Families eat togetherand the kids eat later (around 7 or 7:30), with their parents.
Many people still drink a glass of wine with lunch or dinner.
We drink water with meals, wine or Champagne with guests.
The French love to entertain.
Good eating habits start young.
My 7-year-old son eats at the canteen every day.
There is only one choice; kids are not allowed to bring lunch from home.
There’s something about being hungry at noonand being with his friendsthat makes all the difference.
Small markets trump grocery stores.
Each little village has a weekly outdoor market, sometimes it’s only a few vendors.
Instead of no carbs, they will eat a small slice of cake.
I think of it as the difference between “cheating” and “treating.”
