"Scientists have another solution for the notorious "French paradox" – the riddle of how a nation of alcohol-quaffing, croissant-munching gourmands stays healthy and slim, while a disproportionate number of health-obsessed Americans are obese and at cardiovascular risk.
The answer, after methodical study of brasseries, eateries, pizza parlours, Chinese restaurants and Hard Rock cafes in both countries, is simple: the French eat less of everything. And they eat less because they are served smaller portions. The French paradox has baffled European and US scientists for more than a decade."
Baffled scientists for more than a decade? Come on. The first time I went to the US 14 years ago, I was baffled that what we call a bucket over here in Europe passed for a glass in Los Angeles. If you drink Coke by the liter and have 6 meals a day (Americans really keep eating all the time) you’re going to get fat, OK? So after all we French have some common sense lessons to provide to the supposedly more pragmatic Americans. Or so I would wish, because obesity is a growing concern in France and elsewhere in Europe (the Portuguese for instance are increasingly fat too). Blame it on munching junk food all day long and not getting exercise to burn those calories.
Every food & beverage marketer knows that consumption of their product is elastic. That’s why you often see promotions that gets you increased quantity for the same price. These people are fighting for share of stomach, and proceed to expand your stomach at the same time. You’ll end up drinking more orange juice or cereals or whatever else in the same amount of time, as the product is perishable, so you’re either going to eat it or throw it away, and if you have more available, you’re probably going to eat it.