French Women live longer why?

French women like to feel 'bien dans sa peau' (feel good in her body). I have lived in France now for 5 years and I have observed that the French eat a lot more vegetables and fruit as a starter, and consider wine to be part of their meal, no need to drink a whole bottle or binge.  They stick to three meals per day and rarely snack between meals.  The life style of the French reminds me so much of what it was like when I was growing up, in the 1950's (well except for the wine). I remember we had simple meals with lots of vegetables, we never had things like crisps and chocolate for snacking on.  Some of the longest living French women live in southwest's midi-pyrenees region famous for its fatty fois gras and rustic red wines. So what is the key to indulging in these fatty foods, it's all a matter of Moderation and variety.  In France life expectancy currently is increasing at an average of three months per year. French officials project, the average life span for women will be 95 and 91 for men.  I have also noticed a lot of elderly French cycle and walk a lot more. The French also tend to prepare their meals from scratch they shop every day for fresh vegetables and fruit, they have structured meal times and eating is an important time of the day. If you go out into a village or town between 12pm and 2pm the streets will be empty, everyone is sitting down to the main meal of the day, and it is defiantly not rushed. Yogurt seems to be another food eaten daily mainly for breakfast, and a lot of French buy natural yogurt and add fresh fruit.

In France 76 % of French people eat their meals, they have prepared, at home, with 75% eating at the family table. They spend typically two hours over lunch eating slowly,  never eat in front of the television and eat three times per day at regular intervals. In other words eating in France is a social activity, with several small courses, wine and there's alway water on the table.

The French women's guide to eating
French women never eat while walking or standing.
French women never snack, especially on fast food.
In France, every neighborhood has its own market.
French women do not belong to a gym, they swim, walk or cycle to keep fit.
French women drink very moderately.
So that is why French women rate second in the world for longevity. Japan coming first.

Madame Jeanne Calment the oldest person who ever lived. This photo was taken when she was 112 years old. She lived another decade and died at the age of 122 years old.

1875-1997