European Diets

While we often hear about the health and fitness of Europeans, particularly in the south, we hear significantly less about European diets. How do Europeans eat all that wonderful food and still stay thin and fit? Are there amazing European diet pills that are not marketed elsewhere? You may be surprised to learn that obesity is a growing problem in some parts of Europe and a variety of European diets and diet pills address this problem.

European Diets, on the Whole

European foods run the gamut from light and healthy to rich and heavy, and the nature of food in a given country has influenced the dieting culture in that country. While the obesity epidemic of the United States was slower to reach Europe, it has impacted much of Europe at this point. Reduced activity is certainly a contributing factor in the European obesity epidemic, as is American fast food.

Traditionally, European diets in the south have been heavy on pasta, bread, tomatoes, seafood, olives and wine, as well as seasonal produce. Portions were small, and food was generally eaten slowly and enjoyed. In the Northern part of Europe, dairy, cheese and meat made up a more significant portion of the diet, and these areas have struggled with weight issues longer than those with southern European diets.

Today’s European diets have been influenced by American culture. Fast food, processed food and junk food are more widely available and portion sizes have increased. Obesity in Europe is not only the result of the European diet, but also increased television and decreased activity among both children and adults.

European Diet Secrets

While gyms do not sit on every corner of many European cities, the people walking the streets are typically quite active in their daily lives. Walking is still more common than driving in large parts of Europe, helping people to stay fit as they go about their normal activities. Many Europeans have avoided the obesity epidemic by retaining these fitness patterns and behaviors in their daily lives.

Portion control is another secret of Europeans at a healthy weight. While they may still eat bread, pastries, and rich desserts, they typically don’t eat them in large quantities. No one is asking that their croissant be supersized or having seconds of that chocolate mousse. Meals are taken slowly, and with wine, providing beneficial protection from heart disease. Foods are largely unprocessed. Eating small portions, lots of fresh foods, and eating slowly will all help you achieve a trim figure via a traditional European diet and without the latest new European diet pill.

Changes in European Dieting

Low carbohydrate diets are not popular among European diets, and many people opt to lose weight simply by increasing their activity and reducing portions, as well as making healthier food choices. In 2003, as a solution to the problem with European diets, Italy suggested bringing back Friday as a day of fasting, reduced portions and less rich foods. While these simple steps used to be the standard for European diets, that is changing with the growing influence of American eating and diet habits.

More Europeans are turning to European diet pills for dieting assistance. As obesity becomes more of a problem, more and more people find themselves needing the latest new European diet pill to help them lose weight.

European Diet Pills

There are some new options as far as choosing a new European diet pill. You may have heard about one of these European diet pills in the news recently. Sanofi-Aventis is working on a drug called Acomplia that has shown good results in terms of weight loss in studies. Alli, a low dose version of the drug Xenical, is also growing in popularity as a new European diet pill. The Danish pharmaceutical firm NeuroSearch has some promising early results with their new European diet pill, tesofensine.

Some of these European diet pills, like Alli, are already available on the U.S. market. Others, like Acomplia, are undergoing testing for eventual FDA approval. Still others, like tesofensine, while potentially great drugs, are very newly developed and may not be seen on the market for a number of years to come.

What You Can Learn From European Diets

The traditional European diet, particularly in the south, and in France as well, can teach you several things. You can eat a varied diet that includes rich foods and some amount of fat, if you understand portion control. An active daily lifestyle with lots of walking instead of sitting will keep you fit. Wine is good for your heart. These lessons from the traditional European diet and lifestyle can help keep anyone fit and healthy.

You may also have learned that Europeans today are at risk for obesity thanks to changing lifestyles and eating habits. European drug companies are at the forefront of developing new European diet pills, and some of these new European diet pill options may show promise in the future.

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