Summary: What is it about Europeans that allows them to break almost every dieting rule ever written and still remain so slim?

What is it about Europeans that allows them to break almost every dieting rule ever written and still remain so slim? They eat almost nothing but carbs, have their last meal way after 7pm, drink real milk, eat real mayonnaise, have dessert after at least one of their three meals… You know, all those things they tell you NOT to do when watching your waistline! And yet, we in America with all of our diets and weight loss aids, a plethora of lite, reduced-fat, and fat-free foods are the ones who are overweight. The answer is very simple and very logical, yet always overlooked because it is so simple (not to mention it actually takes work).

Lifestyle.

Of the 3 other countries in which I've lived, there's only one that I have enough experience in to actually speak with any sort of authority: Holland. I moved here early December 2008 after marrying a Dutchman.

My first several months here, I drank several cups of tea and coffee per day sweetened with pure sugar. I went from skim milk to halfvolle ("half full" or "half whole"). Every night after dinner, my husband and I would have dessert: ice cream, custard, pudding, etc. Every night we'd watch a movie and polish off a bag of M&Ms between the two of us.

I was introduced to all the Dutch treats. Patat: a large cone filled with fat Flemish fries, smothered in whatever topping you choose. Most Dutch just go for plain mayonnaise, but curry and peanut sauce are also popular. My favorite: a mix of mayonnaise, peanut sauce, and onion called Patat Oorloog, or "fries war." Ollieballen: a New Year's treat. It literally means "oil balls." You take it from there. Bitterballen: God only knows what's in it, but it's some sort of meat mixture that's fried.

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About the Author Tiffany Jarman Jansen writes children's books as well as designs the website for Medieval Maidens – an educational company focusing on teaching young girls about the Middle Ages and Renaissance through stories of real princesses – which she started with her mother, Lois Jarman, in 2005 (www.medievalmaidens.net). A gay rights activist, she also compiled, edited, and self-published the book Reflections, which is a collection of stories and quotes from gays and their friends and family members. As an expat, she also contributes to sites and publications such as 2BDutch, Expatica, and the International Women's Contact Utrecht bimonthly newsletter. An eating disorder education and awareness advocate, she also has a piece featured in newsletters for the Eating Disorders Association of South Australia and Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorders Association in the UK. She also edits her mother's monthly column in the Frederick News Post. Originally from Knoxville, Maryland USA, she now lives in the Netherlands with her husband and their dog.

First Published: Aug 05, 2009