Fine food and drink are among the many reasons that people choose to take a French holiday. Yet according to a recent study, only 11% of the French are obese – compared with 25% in Britain.

Writing in Connexion France, the English-language French news and lifestyle magazine, the former slimming editor of The Sun says that the French attitude to food could teach the British a few lessons in healthy eating. Sally Ann Voak, who has written 28 books on weight loss and worked on The Sun for 32 years, writes that the difference in attitude is profound.

“Brits are becoming conditioned to accepting obesity” says Voak. In France, “women admire Carla and Segolene for their chic and slender bodies, as well as their intelligence. In some UK towns, reasonably-sized people appear undernourished. In France, it is still considered unhealthy to be fat.”

She also says that the UK has taken on “the American custom of serving huge portions”, for both “lunchtime fare” and “at the top end of the market.”

“We Brits want value for money. One single, delicious slice of tarte au chocolat? No thanks, let us have a pile of profiteroles…French meals are well-balanced, and the traditional ‘proper’ lunch means that snacking is unnecessary. French women do not experience the 1600 blood sugar ‘low’ that hits most offices in the UK – when biscuits and cakes appear as if by magic.”

Voak also says that in France, exercise is a much more natural activity. “Going to the gym or health club is a luxury in the UK. Municipal facilities such as pools and tennis courts are less accessible…sports have declined at school, and family activities like skiing – for all income groups in France – are only enjoyed by the few.”

Her comments are likely to ring true to anyone who has taken a French holiday in the Dordogne. Although the region is famous for its locally produced wines, hearty traditional Occitan dishes and delicacies such as pate, fois gras or the black Perigord truffle, it was also recently recognised for its enthusiastic sporting clubs and facilities by the Aquitaine regional board.

Whilst skiing is a less than available activity in the south-west of France, the Dordogne has an extensive system of cycle lanes, many municipal facilities and the calm waters of the eponymous river make it a popular place for kayaking, swimming and wild camping.

Related posts:

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2. Two thirds of the French want the Franc returned
3. French holidays on the up this winter
4. British people cook more than the French
5. Last chance to visit Chiviers gourmet food market this weekend

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