In a study published in the October issue of the journal Appetite,

In word association tests, given "chocolate cake," the French would say "celebration," and Americans, "guilt." Given "heavy cream," the French said "whipped," while the Americans responded "unhealthy." Says Rozin, "The French are more inclined to think of food as something you eat and experience, and the Americans are thinking about some sort of chemicals that are getting into your body."

Americans have the worst of both worlds, Rozin says -- they have greater concerns about their diets, and they are much more dissatisfied with what they eat. And that sort of stress, he says, can result in a lot of poor eating habits for Americans -- extreme dieting, bingeing, overeating and constantly obsessing about food -- which are ultimately unhealthy. The real paradox, Rozin says, isn't that the French enjoy food and remain thin and heart disease-free. It's that Americans worry so much about food, do so much more to control their weight and end up so much more dissatisfied with their meals.

I read that the French are more into quality rather than quantity and relaxing while eating:

[www.modeldietplan.com]

The French are very particular about what they eat. Their diet contains all fresh whole foods and avoids processed foods, junk foods, and sugary drinks. Back-to-basics, natural food is the key. When cooking for themselves or friends, the French go to great lengths to seek out the best produce and ingredients for their meal. This is usually done on foot by walking around the farmers' markets, boulangeries and fromageries, burning calories and contributing even more to a healthy lifestyle.

Importantly, French portions are a fraction of the size of those in the United States. While a French woman would be happy to savour a small plate of delicious quality food, the rest of us would rather wolf down a plate double the size, and often of lesser quality. That means at least double the calories.

Reminds me of: In Praise of Slowness: How a worldwide movement is challenging the cult of speed. . . The author tells of meeting for dinner in Italy, and literally waiting an hour or so between courses; eating well into early morning.

Excellent points Suvi! Many folks (and many Americans) are in transition....using food as a vehicle for awakening consciousness. Until that consciousness 'awakens' then folks are confused, over-worked, and rather focused on food issues (or whatever issue is their vehicle for consciousness). Personal note: in this bid for awareness/consciousness....the battle plays out in...control issues vs. free agency. Which will you choose? LOL.

-David Z. Mason

WWW.RawFoodFarm.com

Yay, let's not obsess about the food. Let's enjoy it.


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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/12/2008 12:17AM by rawgosia.

is being raw being obsessive???