Like Americans, French People Are Increasingly Conscious of Physical Fitness. by Receiving
La Santé part 1:
Like Americans, French people are increasingly conscious of physical fitness. By receiving adequate health care, watching their eating habits and exercising on a regular basis, garder la ligne (keepin in shape) has become a way of life for the French.
The French system of health care provides medical treatment for everyon who needs it. All taxpayers contribute to the social security system (la Sécuritésociale, or la sécu), which covers most of the costs of visits to doctors and dentists, as well as, prescription medicines. To avoid serious illnesses, many people try to keep healthy by eating nutritious foods and exercising.
In recent years, French cooking has changed to reflect a growing interest in healthy foods. In many French kitchens, products that are low in fat and high in fiber have replaced traditional heavy sauces and rich dairy products. Although a typical French meal normally consists of several sources, the portions ten to be quite small. Also, most French people snack very little between meals. When they do have une petite faim (a little hunger), they usually reach for a piece of fruit rather than for an artificially sweetened or salty snack.
La Santé part 2:
Exercise is another way for the French to maintain physical well being. Rather than relying on cars for transportation, many people choose to walk to their destination. Health clubs provide aerobic and dance classes, as well as weight training equipment. Some people work out in their own homes with the help of exercise video and TV programs. Many people exercise by talking advantage of inexpensive community facilities, such as public tennis courts and swimming pools. Soccer, cycling and martial arts clubs are popular with teenagers. Common family vacation activities offer forms of exercise, such as mountain climbing (l’alpinisme), skiing, and windsurfing (la planche à voile). French people of all ages play boules / pétanque, a form of lawn bowling.
Many French adults visit health spas to receive treatments for various ailments, such as liver, heart and digestive problems. During their stays, they rest, diet, drink mineral water and take thermal baths. The spas of Digne-les-Bains in the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, open from March to November, are famous for treating rheumatism and respiratory illnesses.
Yet, with all their efforts to stay fit, the French face significant health related issues. The increasing number of fast food restaurants and their popularity with teenagers worry people who are concerned with nutrition. Smoking is also a serious problem for this age group. Strict laws have been passed limiting tobacco advertising and forbidding smoking in certain places. Strong anti-smoking campaigns have been launched to reduce the number of people who smoke.
At school or work and during their leisure hours, many French people spend both time and energy on maintaining good health. Regular medical and dental visits, participation in sports and a healthy diet all contribute to the goal of physical well being.
Pour Votre Coeur:
- Mangez des fruits et de légumes pour les vitamines.
- Voyez votre médecin une fois par an.
- Contrôlez votre poids: l’excès fatigue le cœur.
- Réduisez tabac et alcool.
- Ménagez-vous chaque jour quelques pauses détente.
- Faites le plein d’air pur pendant le weekend.
- Pratiquez tous les jours une demi-heure de marche.
- Dormez au moins huit heures par nuit.
- Ne consommez pas trop de sel.
- Evitez l’excès de cholestérol.
Le Foie:
Most stomachaches in France are blamed on the liver. When someone says that he or she has unecrise de foie – literally a liver attack, everyone understands that the person is probably experiencing indigestion rather than serious liver trouble.
Expressions de Santé:
The French use many colorful expressions to describe their health.
Il a les jambs en compote.His legs feel like jelly.
Elle n’est pas son assiette.She isn’t feeling well.
Elle a une fièvre de cheval.She has a very high temperature.
Il a des fourmis dans les jambes.He has pins and needles in his legs.
Elle est clouée au lit.She has to stay in bed.
Il a un chat dans la gorge. He has a frog in this throat.
Son estomac fait de noeuds.Her stomach is tied in knots.
Les Pharmacies:
In French speaking countries, a pharmacy (unepharmacie) has a bright green cross on the front of the building. When the cross is lit, the pharmacy is open.
Les HerbesMédicinales:
Because many French people believe that certain plants can help relieve some aches and pains, most specialty stores and markets have herbal sections. Herbal teas are often given to people who don’t feel well. Any tea made with natural herbs is called une infusion.
L’homéopathie:
The French sometimes use alternative medical treatments to complement traditional medicine. In one such treatment, l’homéopathie, a person takes a small dose of a remedy which provokes the same symptoms as the sickness that the patient wants to fight. By taking these pills, the person eventually builds up a resistance to the illness. Although many people believe in this type of cure, others think this form of medicine is large psychosomatic. Stomach ailments, colds and headaches might all be treated by l’homéopathie. Sections of some pharmacies and entire specialty stores are devoted to this form of treatment.