THE EUROPEAN WAY

There were a number of things that stood out for me while I was in Europe recently.

First thing, of course, there were some awesome sights that I got to soak up and enjoy.

But one thing that definitely hit home to me was that Australians and definitely Americans (from my travels there) are leading the way in obesity by a long stretch. I know that we are not alone here as the UK is up there by all reports.

I found it interesting to experience with my own eyes the amazing European paradox.

What do I mean by this?

Well, you go into any food shop in Paris and you find an amazing amount of pastries, croissants, fine chocolates and other wonderful creations.

Italy is renowned for their fine pizza, an abundance of pasta and gelato and of course, red wine.

Istanbul has a great range of great tasting kebabs (even with chips inside them!) and of course the lokum (turkish delight) and baklavas are abundant.

You find people smoking like chimneys, especially in Istanbul and Greece.

At least Italy and France have moved ahead and now ban smoking inside a restaurant.

BUT

The amount of obese and overweight people was nothing like you would find in the Western World.

Why is this?

My thoughts are that while the Europeans like to indulge in some stuff that is definitely not what you would find on any recommended eating list they eat nowhere near the amount of processed rubbish that us in the so-called more developed countries eat.

Most of the stuff they eat is fresh - either the ingredients in a baguette in France or a pizza in Italy.

By the way, the pizzas aren't the rubbish you'll find from domino's that is the thick pan fried cheese crust trash that some people mistake for food.

The kebabs in Turkey don't leave you tasting it the morning after because they are fresher and less processed.

You cannot find a McDonalds or Burger King on every other corner - although I did see at least one McDonalds in each major city (except Santorini), it definitely is not like us.

The Europeans also love their olive oil.

And their wine.

The benefits of red wine especially, in moderation, are well known.

Are we missing something?

I think so.

Aim to eat less processed foods in your life (like the Maccas and other artery clogging food choices) and you can even splash out every now and then with a nice pastry or other desert that while it may not be 100% pure in origin, will make you appreciate it as the cheat meal that it should be, not a regular make up of your diet.

What's your excuse?

Fire UP!