So, how does the French take on food and nutrition differ from that of American culture? Leverich says it all boils down to the simplicity of experience: “The French treat food like a daily pleasure, not a performance review. There’s no moralizing a baguette or negotiating with a piece of cheese. Meals are slower, simpler and built around what’s actually in season. In America, food often turns into a math problem—restricting, counting, measuring—until any trace of pleasure is politely escorted out of the room. [Americans also] love an extreme: Kale is saving your life on Monday and somehow ruining it by Friday. It’s different in France. They trust good ingredients, eat them in sensible portions and move on with their day. Not perfect, but refreshingly sane.”
In honor of that simple candor, here are five French-inspired nutrition principles Leverich thinks more Americans should adopt, from the power of joie de vivre to the ritual of mealtime.
1. Plaisir: Pleasure Without Guilt
“In France, food isn’t just fuel, it’s a source of joy. When we give ourselves permission to enjoy food, we actually end up feeling more satisfied and less likely to overdo it later.”
2. Équilibre: Balance Over Restriction
“Not only is balance more chic than restriction, it’s healthier too. Health isn’t found in eliminating foods or chasing perfection, it’s found in enjoying meals that nourish your body, satisfy your cravings and fit seamlessly into your life.”
3. Qualité: Choose Quality Over Quantity
“Choosing foods and experiences that are truly nourishing can go a long way. Fresh, seasonal, thoughtfully prepared ingredients, paired with intention and enjoyment, create a sustainable approach to nutrition.”
4. Rituel: Make Meals a Ritual
“Though we may believe otherwise in the US, meals don’t have to be rushed or stressful.” (She’s talking to you, sad desk lunch.) “By slowing down, savoring each bite and creating small intentional habits around meals, you nourish both your body and your well-being.”
5. Joie de Vivre: Food as Part of a Joyful Life
“I call it joie de vivre: infusing your life with delight through food. Nourishment isn’t just about health, it’s about enjoyment, celebration and the small pleasures that make life feel full. [That can look like] sharing a favorite dish with friends, enjoying a perfectly brewed cup of coffee or simply taking the time to appreciate flavors. Life is richer when eating is joyful.”
Dining and Cooking