Or do they? If I were to ask you to create a mental image of a French woman in your mind, what would she look like? I bet many of you are picturing a slender woman, lounging at an outdoor café with a cigarette and an espresso.

Well, recent research has revealed that French women may not be as svelte as we imagine. About 11% of French people are obese and 30% or more are overweight. Although these numbers are well behind the US and some other European countries—like Britain—the rate at which this percentage is growing is what concerns the French government. Adults are gaining by 6% each year and children, by 17%.

Some attribute this rapidly expanding waistline to the adoption of some western eating habits. McDonald’s has had a 42% sales increase in France over the past five years and soft drinks and fruit juices are now prevalent. The average time spent eating meals has greatly decreased. Food industry experts predict that foreign investment from fast food chains and prepared food brands will continue as the French dispose of their old eating habits—smaller-portioned, formal meals—and order up the convenience of fast fare.

But the French are taking notice. Weight Watchers has reported that business is flourishing. A new law has banned vending machines from schools, in an effort to curb snack and bottled drink purchases made by children. In addition, the government’s Deputy Health Minister has called for schools to monitor children’s weight and promote at least 30 minutes of activity each day. Most recently, the French government passed a law that levies a 1.5% tax on the advertising budgets of food companies that do not promote healthy eating.

Who would have thought that a deviation from cheese and pâté could actually lead to weight gain? Makes you realize the importance of everything in moderation…

Do you think that a tax on the advertising budgets of food companies that manufacture and promote unhealthy foods would work here in the US?

Yes

No

Not Sure

View the answers

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Are you an adventurous foodie who explores the latest dining trends and jumps at the chance to taste anything new? Or do you eat the same basic foods, avoid new cuisine or get turned off by a perception of food taste and texture? Maybe you fall somewhere in the middle. You are willing to experiment with certain dishes, but are still somewhat controlled or limited by your own idiosyncratic eating attitudes.

On the extreme end of the spectrum, a small fraction of American people live with an actual anxiety disorder called food neophobia— a fear of new foods. Food neophobics reject any foods they consider out of the ordinary. They are particularly sensitive to factors such as a food’s taste, smell or texture or how a food is prepared or consumed. The most severe cases of food neophobia involve a reaction of outright disgust or fear of physical endangerment from eating a particular food. However, most Americans do not suffer from a real phobia; they are merely picky eaters.

Picky eating is most prevalent in young children. Common belief is that kids will grow out of their finicky eating behaviors since certain foods have an “acquired taste” or demand “refined taste buds”. But, If you observe people during the next dinner party you attend, you will notice that many adults have unique, sometimes peculiar, eating habits and attitudes.

Through experiences since childhood, most of us have created an emotional relationship with food—homemade cooking and family dining or frozen dinners and TV tray-tables. Our preferences can vary greatly based on adverse reactions formed by custom, comfort and our innate nature.

Mainstream consumption of health and wellness foods has surged as food companies have worked to evolve the taste and variety of nutritious options. Although vast improvements have created flavorful and delicious products, a significant population of people still has an aversion to health foods. Many Americans have a preconceived notion of how a food will taste or believe that the texture will be unpleasant. This is especially true when it comes to items like whole grains, soy foods, vegetables and other “health” foods. Harboring negative stigmas about these nutritious foods can lead people to snub fare, never knowing that they may not only find it edible, but delectable.

Although it’s hard to break old habits, by testing new foods you may end up with a more varied and nutritious diet; which in turn, can have positive affects on weight, health conditions and even healthy hair, skin and nails. There are some palatable and less intimidating means for acclimating new fare into your diet.

Try baby steps. Sample items on demo at your local health food store; host a party and have each guest bring a unique dish to share with the group; ask a trusted food aficionado to advise you on their top food recommendations; or find restaurants that either serve tapas (“small plates”) or offer a sampling menu so you can dabble without committing to a full meal.

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