What the French (and Mom) Know About Maintaining Your Ideal Weight

For many of us West of the Atlantic, this past weekend (the long Independence Day holiday) was likely an exercise in extremes. With BBQs, picnics, parties and vacations rampant, it was likely marked by either extreme indulgence, or extreme self-restraint. I admittedly fell into the indulgence camp. I had the opportunity to spend the weekend at a country house in a small Connecticut town, where the biggest attractions are natural - lush, green, hilly surroundings for hiking/running/biking, and a lake for swimming/diving. Our intentions were good - we cooked every meal from scratch, enjoyed them as a family of friends and chose local, fresh ingredients wherever possible. Think wild caught seafood, quality cuts of beef from the local butcher (Mike), organic produce, etc. So why did we still end up with a grocery bill that 'nearly broke the town record' according to the butcher and store owner? And why did we have to cook and consume enough fresh cooked meals to feed 4 over a week - in 3.5 days? Because we're Manhattanites that have taken the 'go big or go home' a bit too seriously, that's why.

But seriously - we had an amazing time (and swam/hiked/dove/laughed off everything we ate) - so I can just chalk it up to a few days of enjoying some rather simple pleasures in the company of good friends. But I can't help but observe - the French (and Spaniards, and Italians for that matter) are notorious for living the good life and enjoying these familiar feasts much of the time - not exclusively on long holiday weekends. How come the word 'detox' is rarely - if ever - uttered by them after a long weekend?

I think it boils down to the culture of mindful eating. The French (and their neighbors) generally respect their meals. They sit down to eat. They chew their food, sip their wine and can linger over a dish for a good hour. Meals are celebrated - the details and nuances of texture, color, flavor and aroma are enjoyed slowly - so that each bite lasts. Conversation unfolds during the meal - and most diners aren't talking through a mouthful of food. They put their fork down and talk in between bites. In short - lunch (or dinner) is not inhaled in 5 or 10 minutes. And after 25 minutes over the same small dish they started with - they might even realize they're satisfied (head's up: it takes the brain 20 minutes to realize you're full). Which is in contrast to the second helping many of us likely have after 25 minutes over a given long weekend.

So, to surmise, I'm going back to the basics, and to what Mom always told me (but I needed an expert, or the French, to remind me). All the good-for-you fresh food choices in the world won't make up for the 300+ extra calories (and I'm being kind) you were too full to need, anyways. So sit down, slow your eating down, chew your food slowly and take at least 20 minutes over your dish. Enjoy that glass of wine and the conversation - in between bites and with a mouth devoid of food). And you may not need to 'detox' after a long weekend again.

P.S. In case you're detoxing today - try this for a few meals this week. It doesn't even need a recipe. Scramble the eggs, add chopped (organic) green onions and enjoy. Slowly. :)

- Paloma