Guest Post: French Nutritionist, Part 2

Image from Yves' website

As promised, here is part two of French nutrition coach Yves Calmette’s post on the French art de vivre with a focus on the art of eating.  It's fantastic information.  Enjoy!

And don’t forget, Yves will be in my hometown, Auckland, New Zealand over the weekend appearing at the Green Living Show to be held in the ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane.  If you're in Auckland this weekend why not drop by and say bonjour to Yves?

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DON'T BE FOOLED BY A FALSE DEFINITION OF PLEASURE: 6 TRAPS TO AVOID 

Some of my clients struggle with the eight principles (featured in the last post) to increase pleasure and even the notion of pleasure itself. It’s often because society has brainwashed us with a distorted definition of pleasure based on the following falsities:

* THE MORE, THE BETTER: Not so when it comes to eating for pleasure. Have you noticed that the first bite of your favourite food is always the best? The pleasure then decreases to a point where you become trapped: you keep eating to try and feel that pleasure of the first bite - just like a junkie craves more drugs to get high.

* YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE: So not true when it comes to food! There are three meals a day, at least, every single day of your life. Each meal is and should be an opportunity to derive pleasure. This is how the French approach food. This is one of their secrets to feeling satisfied with smaller portions - they know pleasure is just a meal away.

* ALL YOU CAN EAT: An excuse for binge eating! This terrible business model adopted by some restaurants should be forbidden. What’s the point? All you can eat until you feel sick? Until you’ve stuffed your body with as many unhealthy foods as you can? Where’s the pleasure in that? The whole concept disrespects what food, health and chic are about.

* THE CHEAPER THE BETTER: I’m not saying food has to be expensive to be good but there is one thing that is crystal clear: when food is super cheap i.e. too cheap, it is ALWAYS bad.

* 24/7: A trap that leads us eat even when we’re not hungry. Food is everywhere and accessible 24/7, especially in urban areas. Yet we are not designed to eat constantly. Our liver, digestive system and kidneys can’t handle a constant flow of food without suffering. Vending machines, convenience stores, petrol stations, etc: most of them sell cheap, fast, processed food and are open 24/7.

* FAST IS GOOD: All the above. Slow goes with health. Slow brings true pleasure that lasts. Slow is so chic, so French!

Here’s a quick guide to finally enjoy the art of eating, the French way:

- If you often fall into one or several of the traps regarding the false definition of pleasure, ACKNOWLEDGE IT.

- Start avoiding NOW.

- Follow the 8 principles to CREATING AND IMPROVING pleasure at each meal.

- Record in your book note or computer: how you feel after each meal: was it true pleasure? How you feel when you follow the 8 principles for pleasure. If you fell into one of the traps, what can you do to avoid it next time?

Finally, if you have any questions, email me (yves@nutritionbyyves.com.au) or… come and see me: I’ll be talking at the Green Living Show in Auckland on 27 and 28 June. I’ll be happy to have a chat with you!

Au revoir!

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(Fiona):  For me, I know I definitely fall into the first trap - 'the more the better'.  My husband calls it diminishing returns! Actually the first three are written for me, and number four to a lesser extent.  This list has definitely given me something to look at and think about.

Thank you for Yves for sharing your knowledge and Frenchness with us.  I know I learnt a lot and appreciate that you took the time to write this two-part guest post.

Merci!

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YVES' BIO 

Yves Calmette is an award-winning health promotion expert, nutrition coach and Jamie Oliver Food Revolution Ambassador. A born and raised French man now based in Sydney with clients across Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Hong Kong, the art de vivre, the art of eating and the principles of food as medicine were the pillars of his upbringing, built on a long family heritage – his great grandmother Marguerite, his inspiration, was a popular cook and healing practitioner in the south west of France during the 1920s.

Want to lose weight and feel great without to live off raw kale and green juices – just like the French do? Visit his blog and grab his free e-guide here. Follow Yves on Facebook and Linkedin.

Tel: +61 424 060 041