There’s a sophisticated obsession with how French women eat. After all, they make mealtimes look effortless, and there is something decidedly romantic about sharing a bottle of wine with fresh cheeses and crusty bread – all while appearing slim and healthy.
While their American counterparts tend to count calories, publicize their workouts and do portion control, French women prefer to keep to themselves. In France, it’s not as important to be publicly seen. They workout and they do portion control, but rarely would you see or hear of it.
Being mostly French myself, I’ve always been captivated with the French lifestyle, trying to incorporate ways to be healthier and more mindful. If you find yourself being as intrigued as I am, here are my top tips for grocery shopping like a true French woman.
Buy Little, More Often
French women prefer to shop more often, and buy less, as French refrigerators are not as big as American ones, and are used to store fresh foods only. A lot of foods purchased in bulk – especially fresh foods – do not get consumed and often go to waste.
No Preservatives
Another reason French women do not buy in bulk is because they opt for preservative-free foods, which are healthier for you. In France, people are very health-conscious, and mealtimes consist of fresh foods only.
Have a Plan
Meal planning is wonderful for several reasons, but it’s especially useful in eliminating the need to wander around the grocery store, wondering what to buy. With a plan in place, you can hop efficiently and reduce costs by not purchasing items that weren’t a part of that plan.
Frequent Farmer’s Markets
Charlotte has several farmer’s markets, which we frequent quite a bit during the summer and autumn months. Moat markets in France are outdoors and a lot of French women like to shop there, to get both fresh food and to support her community.
If you’re able to, go to fresh produce centers and local farmer’s markets. Wake up early on a Saturday morning, grab a tote or a basket, and check out all the fresh foods for sale. It’s a great way to support local farms and will be of the highest quality for consumption.
Purchase Healthier Options
Fruits and vegetables are an obvious choice when trying to eat healthier, but what about your snacks?
That bag of Smartfood popcorn you can’t live without? Buy the low-fat version instead. How about a piece of dark chocolate instead of a bag of M&Ms? Finding better substitutes for your favorite foods is a great way to be healthier, and you can portion them out ahead of time into airtight containers or baggies to prevent mindless snacking.
I can't wait to hear from you!