Is “Food the Window to the Soul”?

I suppose it depends on who you ask. I know someone who thinks eating is overrated, so perhaps it may not be a universal truth. Regardless of this controversial opinion, for me, food is the window to the soul. Eating and enjoying food with good company is something that I value. It is an experience, a comfort, a chapter on life’s simplest pleasures. Food, and the care you put into its ingredients, can transcend language, bringing people together.
In Rennes, I mostly ate at home, but went to restaurants and small cafes with friends for lighter meals or snacks. My host mother is a great cook and provided me with great meals and an authentic French culinary experience.
Le dejeuner, or lunch, is valued by the French [the verb dejeuner literally means “to lunch”] Though setting aside time for family lunches has declined in popularity with the younger population (to my host mother’s discontent), my host family placed an importance on conserving the tradition. We would start with the aperitifs – a drink and some crackers or chips were typically served in the parlor. Next, crudité (often from the garden) and some bread were served. Then a meat and starch were served as the main course. After the main course came the cheese course, followed by desserts and coffee.
I tried new foods like galette, Kouign-Amann, fresh chevre, and many desserts. Even the McDonald’s or MacDo had a pastry counter. On Sundays, there was an open-air market called Marché des Lices with fresh produce, meats, dairy, fish and other goods such as flowers and juice.
The French government is strict with food regulation and processing in regard to the health and environment. Notably, the French tend to eat in season and with the temperature; cooler dishes with strawberries, tomatoes, and cucumbers and less meat in the warmer months and warmer dishes with root vegetables and more meat in the winter. And with those tendencies, I found myself eating less meat in France, more greens, and less hot food.
Even though I did not change my eating habits drastically, I felt healthier as I lost weight naturally, did not feel lethargic and bloated after meals, felt more well rested, and my skin cleared up after a year of stress and Pittsburgh weather. The quality of French food was nothing like I had experienced before, even the quick “poor quality” bakeries. Some of the other students noticed that their food sensitivities diminished or went away completely.
With my gastronomic adventure, I did not feel limited or worried about what I ate. Instead, I savored the amazing quality of the food and recognized the importance and pride the French have for their indisputably incredible cuisine.