Pav Explains... Skinny Europeans

If there's one thing people from the states ask me about Europeans, it's how the hell are they all so lean? While some people say it's just one or two things, I believe it's a combination of the following:

Walking	Most Europeans don't own cars - even if they were more affordable, they still don't make sense over here. You can get everywhere you need to go by foot. Things are set up better for pedestrians, and while it is still a pain in the ass to lug your groceries for 15 minutes back to your apartment, you're getting exercise without even trying. The cities over here are more like an enormous outdoor mall, complete with tons of great little cafés and cobblestone courtyards. In the states, unless you live downtown in only a handful of the huge cities, you need a car to get anywhere. That 10-second walk from your front door to your SUV in the driveway doesn't burn many calories, but going anywhere over here does.
Food Portions	I don't know about you, but I don't think I've ever actually finished an entire meal in a restaurant in the states. The portions are ridiculously huge, and seem to get even bigger as the restaurants compete to give you more for your money. People joke about the small size of the meals in say a traditional French restaurant. Well here's how that works: A meal there is meant to be a series of small courses, each consisting of particular foods that are placed in a particular order such that they are more digestible, and ready your stomach for the next course. When the meal is over, you aren't hungry anymore, nor are you falling asleep in your chair - because your body is able to handle the digestion without exerting any extra energy, which means you won't be tired. Try saying the same after the 3lb chicken-fried steak at Chili's.
Food Itself	What do I mean by this? Well, in general, Europeans like to keep it simple when it comes to food. For example, if they want to eat a salad, it would include fresh lettuce, vegetables, and they would add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and some fresh pepper for seasoning. You won't find a salad with extra-heavy ranch dressing, and fried chicken fingers tossed in for good measure. The fruits and vegetables sold here are also more natural - not covered with as many chemicals and preservatives. This does mean they spoil faster, but are better for you. Another difference is the ice cream. Most of the stuff people eat in the states is heavy, cream-based ice cream that leaves you writhing in pain after you eat it. Over here, most of the ice cream is actually ice or milk based. On any warm day, everyone will be walking around with a cone in hand.
Smoking	Although I'm not a proponent of smoking, I can't argue the fact that it acts for many people as an appetite suppressant. And as I've stated elsewhere in this web site, Europeans smoke more than you could imagine. So, you do the math.