Fortunately not addicted to Eastenders (!) so did watch programme.
Fascinating insight into the British diet. A bit embarrassing too, to see British mum feeding 'smiley faces', chicken nuggets and tinned spagetti to her kids for their tea. She made a few extra to nibble on because she had her tea later! How many of us have done that,eh?
French mum was noneplussed at this food. Where was the value in it?
Then, British mum took car to drop kids off at school. French mum asked why, as it was only a mile away, she didn't walk. To much hassle, no time, was the reply.
In the evening, after tea, British mum ordered take-away kebabs (delivered to door). French mum said that they generally didn't eat between meals and wouldn't eat that late in the evening.
When British mum went to stay in France (Paris), she was pleasantly surprised at the variety of fruits and veg that the French family ate, and she enjoyed too. She loved that French shopping experience of going from shop to shop, bakers, fish shop, butchers, green-grocers, and picking up local, fresh produce.
NO diet products, ready meals, 'smiley faces' anywhere!
When she arrived back home, she put into practice many of the French ways and a month later found that she had lost 1 stone 8 lbs! She did look fantastic, and her kids were happy to eat a varied, healthy menu.
She walks her kids to school too.
French eating/lifestyle habits are probably similar to ours in the past, before supermarkets gained ascendancy. I do remember shopping for my mum and going from shop to shop, walking everywhere (no car), and not eating snacks between meals, take-aways were rare, most food was cooked from scratch (and fresh), and our freezer was a tiny addition at the top of the fridge!
French lifestyle does include chocolate (the best quality), and wine (best quality) occasionally.
That seems to be the watchword - a smaller amount of quality products rather than a greater amount of cheap high fat/sugar/salt rubbish.