The Canadian province most known for its sweet tooth seems to have no problem in fitting into its pants. Going by the 15th annual ‘Eating Patterns in Canada,’ a study administered by The NPD Group, which is a market research company, Quebec leads the nation in both its narrow waistline and its capacity for having dessert after supper.
Health Canada notes that while more than half of all Québécois adults are considered to be either overweight or even obese, this figure still means that Quebec ranks the lowest among all of Canada’s provinces.
The NPD Group’s study indicated that regions of Quebec enjoy 112 meals, which included dinner and dessert, on a yearly capita basis. In comparison Ontario only had 57 such meals, Atlantic Canada 89, and the west coast had roughly 55.
Joel Gregoire, an analyst within the food service sector and member of The NPD Group, remarks in a press release that the French-European diet’s presence in Canada is mitigated by a need for convenience that most Québécois desire in order to prepare a meal.
The study indicates that the Québécois love for dessert breaks down with 19% preferring cake, 18% preferring cookies and also being less conscious of caloric intake than most Canadians–indulging in regular, full meals on a daily basis.
Another recent study, reported by Grocery Innovations Canada, indicated that Canadians are at a record high preference for ethnic and healthy foods, with items such as gluten free cranberry pie, gluten free blueberry muffins, and paleo pancakes among the list of gluten free foods that continue to rise in popularity.
This study doesn’t mean that moving to Quebec and having a slice of cheesecake or three will make individuals thinner. There is no magic trick or hidden secret to Québécois eating habits. In fact, 29% of Québécois adults completely skip snacks and maintain a regular schedule that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The NPD (National Products Diary) Group was established in 1967. As a global market research company, it has offered its services in tracking, analysis, and advisement to companies within a wide variety of industries, including: automobiles, video games, beauty products, office supplies, food and drink, sports, and fashion. Its headquarters is in Port Washington, New York, with offices in the United States, Asia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the European Union, and Sydney Australia.
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/11/07/canada-eating-habits_n_2083055.html
Picture credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryustar/