Yes, the French eat a lot of chicken; it has recently become the most consumed meat in France, surpassing pork, due to its affordability, versatility, and role in beloved traditional dishes like Poulet Rôti (roast chicken) and Coq au Vin, with high-quality, free-range options popular for their flavor.
Original content. In 2024, for the first time, poultry meat – mainly chicken – became become the most popular meat in France. The French ate 31.6 kgs of chicken, duck or turkey, compared to 31 kgs of pork and charcuterie. Poultry meat consumption grew by 10% year-on-year and by some 15% since 2019.
The United States leads global chicken meat consumption with 21.19 million metric tons, followed by China and Brazil at 15.1 and 14.9 million metric tons, respectively.
In a significant shift in French culinary preferences, chicken has officially become the most consumed meat in France, surpassing pork for the first time in 2024.
Steak-frites. Steak-frites consists of a piece of steak served with French fries. This is often considered the most typical French dish. A piece of steak, often a rib eye (entrecôte) is pan fried in butter and served “saignant” or bloody with a mountain of chips.
The main dish can be a combination of fish or meat with vegetables. Other main dishes would also include Boeuf Bourguignon or Cassoulet, both of which are traditional French dishes. Check out our range of La Belle Chaurienne products for Cassoulets and Boeuf Bourguignon that are easy to prepare and ready to eat.
Regarding classic French dishes to try on your visit to Paris, boeuf bourguignon (great for the colder months), cassoulet, confit de canard, and even a simple omelet can be so delicious. To save money, try the lunch menu, which offers more reasonable prices, instead of the dinner menu at my favorite Paris restaurants.
A 2003 article in the journal Psychological Science describes how portions in French cookbooks, as well as those in restaurants and grocery stores, are 25 percent smaller than those in American ones. With smaller portion sizes, the French consume more reasonable amounts of food in one sitting.
The most consumed meat in Australia is overwhelmingly chicken, making up nearly half of all meat eaten, with Australians consuming around 48-50kg per person annually due to its affordability, versatility, and convenience compared to beef, lamb, and pork, whose consumption has declined relatively.
During your immersion in France lunch (déjeuner) is usually the biggest meal of the day. Americans, Australians, and other northern European countries may have a simple sandwich for lunch, but French lunches are typically more substantial.
Blacks ate significantly more chicken than the other ethnic groups (P < 0.001), and East Asians ate significantly more pork and processed meat (P < 0.001). Regardless of ethnicity, grilling/roasting/broiling were the preferred cooking methods, and vegetables were most consumed as a side dish.
Pork, for example, is the most consumed meat globally, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, making up 36% of the world's meat intake. The popularity of pork is closely followed by poultry, which is a staple in many countries due to its versatility and affordability.
China, the U.S., Russia, Mexico, and Brazil are the countries that eat the most chicken.
The Cost of Food in France
In France, you can expect to spend around €25-40 per day on meals. However, this amount will vary based on a number of factors, including which city you visit and where you choose to eat. Lunch with a drink in Paris can run nearly €16, but a street crepe normally costs only €5.
Chicken, le poulet, is generally considered a neutral tasting meat. In France you will find whole chickens for sale in supermarkets in addition to cuts such as breasts, thighs, legs/drumsticks and wings.
Joanne Sillince from the Australian Chicken Growers' Council says price and versatility make chicken an obvious choice for consumers. "It is the least expensive of the meats you can get. So you can get drumsticks for $6 to $7 per kilogram," Dr Sillince says. "Secondly, it's an incredibly versatile meat.
Australian Wagyu has, yet again, been crowned the best in the world. Find out what give Aussie beef it's high quality, delicious taste, and consistent marbling. A highly marbled Wagyu sirloin steak from a premium Australian beef producer scooped the top award, at the 2023 World Steak Challenge.
Obesity is a global public health problem that continues to grow. Over the last 25 years, obesity has grown in France, especially among youth. In 2020, one in two adults was dealing with overweight or obesity in the country. Indeed, 47 percent of French adults were overweight, of which 17 percent suffered from obesity.
1/ Okinawan diet – Japan
So much so that Japan has the lowest obesity rates and third longest life expectancy of any developed country. The Okinawan diet is centred around fish, seafood, tofu, and other nutrient-rich ingredients. It's also extremely low in processed foods.
The 3-3-3 rule for weight loss is a simple, habit-based method focusing on three key areas: 3 balanced meals a day, 3 bottles (or ~1.5L) of water by 3 PM, and 3 hours of physical activity per week, aiming for consistency over complex diets. It simplifies fat loss by establishing rhythm through consistent eating, adequate hydration to support metabolism, and regular movement, promoting sustainable health without intense calorie counting or restrictive rules, says Five Diamond Fitness and Wellness, Joon Medical Wellness & Aesthetics, and EatingWell.
Paris Do's and Don'ts: 10 Unwritten Rules That Every Parisian...
When you think “dinner in Paris”, you probably don't think to wear jeans. But, depending on the restaurant, you CAN wear jeans. I would probably opt for the jumpsuit or dress if you're headed to a Michelin-starred restaurant, but if you have a more casual dinner planned, go with your favorite pair of jeans!
An usual French lunch will include: an appetizer (une entrée), such as a mixed salad, soup, terrine or pâté; main course, (le plat principal), choice of beef, pork, chicken, or fish, with potatoes, rice, pasta and/or vegetables; cheese course (from a local selection) and/or a sweet.