Ok, so I’m going to try and shed some light on what the experts are saying these days, even though they seem to keep changing their minds! Basically, the purpose of eating a balanced diet is to ward off health problems like cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity. This we can all agree on!
Animal proteins: for a long time it was commonly believed that you had to eat a lot of meat, and that animal proteins were better than plant proteins. This belief has come under fire in recent years, because an excess of animal proteins (meat and dairy products) may increase the risk of cancer, contribute to obesity (animal proteins invariably come with animal fats), cause allergies, and aggravate inflammatory illnesses such as some types of rheumatism.
The international recommendation is 0.8 grams of protein, per kilo of body weight, per day. If you weigh 55kg (120 lb), that means around 50g (less than 2 oz) of milk, dairy products or fish per day! That’s not a heck of a lot! In practice, what it means is that you don’t have to eat meat every day, and not at every meal. You should consume more fish (less protein) and fewer dairy products.
Wait, fewer dairy products? Then where are we supposed to get calcium for our bones? Not to worry! Calcium is also found in almonds, seaweed, watercress, tofu, and some mineral waters.
All right, so what about the rest? Eat all the fruit and vegetables you care to. Fats, yes, but not any fats. Use vegetable oils (olive, rapeseed, peanut) to season your vegetables; but use animal fats (butter, sour cream) sparingly.
With a balanced diet, you feel lighter, you have a more radiant complexion, and you help avoid cancer and other illnesses.
A well-informed Parisienne is a healthy Parisienne!
A bientot, Cécile
