European Recipes

For Taste and Health, Take a Page From European Recipes Books

Let's face it. Americans are not famous for their healthy diets. We rely far too much on processed foods, fast foods, fatty foods and inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables. This may well be the reason there are a disproportionate number of overweight people in this country. We eat on the fly and eat too much.

The average person reaches for a soda several times a day. Yes, the American culture of working long hours and enduring stressful lifestyles contributes to our poor eating habits. Given that, what can we do to improve our diets such that we combat illness, disease and obesity? It all comes down to an attitude about food. Here's where we can learn from our European friends.

One very simple ritual we might all well adopt is that of taking meals together, using the time spent at the table to kick back, relax and talk with one another. In Europe, people spend a considerable amount of time at their noon and evening meals. Breakfast may be hurried, by European standards, limited to a half hour of coffee and a pastry before bustling off for work. Lunch is a more extended affair, requiring at least an hour and a half to do the meal justice. Dinner may last for 2-3 hours, a leisurely end to a trying day.

The advantage of eating slowly is that you tend to eat less. While conversing with your partners at the table between bites, your stomach has a chance to apprehend its fullness, well before you're stuffed. You also digest your food better and feel relaxed by meal's end.

European recipes stress the use of seasonal foods. Not only are they less expensive than out of season imported produce, but these foods contain far more nutrients than a canned or frozen product. Many European recipe cookbooks are organized according to season rather than the particular food. Fresh is better.

The Mediterranean style European recipes are renowned for their healthful qualities, using ingredients such as olive oil, fresh vegetables, fish, fruits and cheeses. Small amounts of such ingredients are simply combined with rice and pasta and whole grain breads. Fruit and cheese are commonly served for dessert.

Meals are usually served in courses, with each course served in modest amounts. This allows you to truly savor each bite, with a rich variety of tastes and textures to please your palate. The end result is that by meal's end, you're satisfied, having dispelled the stresses of the day.

If you look through a European recipe book, you'll readily see that the dishes are economical, well-seasoned and nutritious. Hey, start a new thing at your house. Eat in the European style. You'll lose some pounds and feel great.