Definition: business meal

There is no secret to strengthening ties with a partner or relaxing the atmosphere with clients and prospects; meeting over a good lunch is often very useful, even essential. As long as it remains an exception, there is no problem. But as the frequency increases, you start to worry about stepping on the scales. However, a few simple principles can help you approach this "ordeal with peace of mind" and even combine business meals with weight loss. Here are ten tips from an expert in the field, Michel Montignac, author of the famous "Montignac Method".

1. Don't deprive yourself
There's no need to tighten your belt more than necessary. Is your client or partner having a starter, main course and dessert? Do the same if you feel like it. "There's no reason to limit the number of courses, because it's not the quantity of food you eat that matters, but the quality, or more precisely, the type. It's good to have a starter, provided it consists of raw vegetables, i.e. carbohydrates with a very low glycaemic index (GI)," emphasises Michel Montignac. Similarly, for the main course, the accompaniment must be a very low GI carbohydrate: green vegetables or lentils, beans, chickpeas, etc.

2. Drink wine
It's not so much that wine is allowed, it's actually recommended! Drinking a glass of red wine with your meal is desirable for weight loss and, above all, for protecting against cardiovascular risks, and this applies to all main meals, according to Michel Montignac. Once or twice a week, it is perfectly possible to drink three or even four glasses during the day with one or two meals. So you can accompany your guest during a business meal without remorse.

3. But forget about bread
While it can be eaten without fear at breakfast, it is not recommended to eat bread during main meals. The only acceptable bread is wholemeal bread, which can only be found in organic shops, or German black bread (Pumpernickel). Commercial wholemeal bread has the same GI as white bread, so it should be avoided. Finally, if you opt for crackers, I recommend Wasa Fibre, again according to Montignac. So be careful not to snack on bread during meals. It is especially important to resist when you are waiting to be served and feeling hungry.
Do not eat meat more than three times a week.

4. Fish rather than meat
Fish or shellfish should be your preference during meals. Meat should not be eaten more than three times a week and never in the evening. Red meat should be eaten no more than once a week. Avoid ribeye steak and prime rib, which contain too much unhealthy fat. Also avoid dishes with sauce, such as stews and blanquette. However, you can occasionally enjoy a small salted dish with lentils or sauerkraut (without potatoes) and duck confit with porcini mushrooms (without Sarladaise potatoes).

5. Green vegetables as a side dish
The best vegetables to choose are broccoli, green beans, spinach, aubergines and tomatoes, as well as green lentils, flageolet beans and chickpeas. Any of these can be eaten at will as they all have a very low GI.

6. Avoid potatoes in all forms
Never eat chips, they are dietary poison, warns Michel Montignac. Potatoes in general should be avoided as they have a very high GI.

7. Fruit for dessert and decaffeinated coffee
Avoid cakes and opt for fruit at the end of a meal. Michel Montignac particularly recommends red fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. After dessert, avoid American-style brewed coffee. Instead, you can have a decaffeinated espresso.

8. Forget fast food
No sandwiches or pizza. If you don't have a business lunch and can eat at the office, it's best to bring your own meal in an airtight container (a salad with hard-boiled eggs and tinned tuna, or cold spaghetti). "Once a month, when you're travelling and have absolutely no choice, a sandwich can be a quick fix," admits Michel Montignac.

9. Water before, during and after
Contrary to some beliefs that you should not drink water during meals, but before, Michel Montignac advises drinking water during and after lunch and dinner. And if you drink wine, you should alternate between the two beverages.

10. What if you feel hungry between meals?
If, despite your breakfast and lunch, you find yourself feeling hungry during the day, you can exceptionally eat an apple or a few natural almonds. Never, ever eat chocolate bars that contain 95% sugar, glucose and unhealthy fats. However, two or three squares of dark chocolate with more than 70% cocoa are acceptable, warns Michel Montignac.

Course:

Michel Montignac
After studying political science and specialising in human sciences, Michel Montignac pursued a career as a senior executive in the international pharmaceutical industry. In the late 1970s, he decided to undertake research into nutrition to solve his weight problem. Michel Montignac developed the basis for an original method of losing weight. He was the first to come up with the idea of using the concept of glycaemic indexes (virtually unknown at the time) for weight loss.
In 1986, he wrote his first book, "How to Lose Weight While Eating Business Lunches," which was aimed specifically at managers who, like him at the time, were required to eat out frequently for work. Published at his own expense, the book quickly became a best seller in France (550,000 copies). Further information is available on the author's website at: