What is the typical French diet?
The French diet mainly consists of staples like bread, butter, meat, cheese, shallots, truffle, turnip, celeriac, and red wine.
The French don’t take eating lightly. To them, meals are considered a celebration and a time to socialize with friends or family. The diet mainly consists of three meals in a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A typical French diet includes staples like bread, butter, meat, cheese, shallots, truffle, turnip, celeriac, and red wine.
The French diet consists of breakfast (le petit déjeuner), lunch (le déjeuner), and dinner (le dîner). People in France spend the most time in the world eating meals. They take an average of about 2.5 hours to eat. Mealtime is a social activity in France; most people eat at gatherings with friends and family.
Snacking is not huge in the French diet. The only form of snacking might involve an aperitif (alcoholic drink) or an afternoon tea. Studies show that only about 15% of the French population snack throughout the day. France has the longest life expectancy and a low rate of obesity compared to other western countries, despite the fact that their culture revolves around food.
The foods that make up the French diet may vary among different regions of the country. The only foods common in every region are meats, cheese, vegetables, fish, and fresh fruits. French people consider socializing during a meal as important as the meal.
French people value fresh food a lot. That makes it a must to prepare meals with a lot of care and fresh ingredients. Different regions may use different ingredients for special meals. A basic traditional French meal must have wine, bread, and cheese. Breakfast is the least important of the three meals.
Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=266167
