French Cheese, Olive Oil and Wine...It’s All
Good For You

At a recent Oldways Conference about the Mediterranean Diet, there was plenty of good news about the health benefits of this celebrated eating pattern. Rooted in the traditions of the southern Mediterranean region, the Mediterranean Diet includes daily intakes of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, olive oil and, in moderation, cheese.

Perfect, Healthy Food

At the conference the Cheeses of France took center stage. Acclaimed cheese expert and James Beard winner Max McCalman led a session on Traditional Cheeses: A Perfect, Healthy Food. Max told conference attendees, “From years of studying French cheese, I’ve learned that it is one of our most well-rounded foods. It has a way of improving one’s mood, has a high concentration of amino acids that aid in digestion, and is virtually lactose free. French cheese lets us enjoy the goodness of milk in a way that tantalizes all the senses.”

The French Paradox

An update on the French Paradox was presented by Curtis Ellison, MD, Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Ellison, one of the founding fathers of the “French Paradox,” reported on new research focused on the benefits of wine that further supports and explains why the Mediterranean Diet is protective against heart disease. The Cheeses of France Marketing Council also discussed with attendees emerging theories centered on the healthy benefits of a trio of foods typical of the daily French diet: cheese, bread and wine. The combination of these foods working in synergy with one another may help further explain The French Paradox...particularly as it relates to “good for you” dairy saturated fats in moderation. This new research will be closely followed and reported by the Council in 2009.

The Pleasure Principle

One final take-away from the conference came from Dr. Paul Rozin, PhD, Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. His philosophy is that the secret to healthy eating is conscious enjoyment of one’s food. The Mediterranean Diet is steeped in a tradition of slow, sociable eating, where food is celebrated, not mindlessly consumed. It’s a good principal to keep in mind as you savor the Cheeses of France.