"French women don't get fat" following the book.

hollybeam94

I've been reading this book for a short time now and I'm feeling really good about the idea of eating for pleasure. I've tried eating clean and restrictive but I haven't made any weight changes because I just lost so many foods! Has anyone else read the book or followed the tips? Or in fact want to try it with me?

fearlessleader104

Eat less and move more. There is no magic involved.

Morgaen73

fearlessleader104 wrote: »

Eat less and move more. There is no magic involved.

I have tried many things, but this is the only thing that has worked for me.

hollybeam94

Alright guys, thanks for your great, motivational tips
I was referring to eating more enjoyable foods rather than plain chicken and steamed vegetables and protein shakes. And getting my exercise done in more enjoyable, stimulating ways rather than pounding a treadmill for an hour.
Besides, I wasn't asking for advice. I was asking for companions and experiences

fearlessleader104 wrote: »

Eat less and move more. There is no magic involved.

LINIA

Hi Holly,

yes I read and enjoyed the book very much. it seemed to me that the French women ( in the book) do not drive everywhere as we here in the U.S. are prone to do. It also seemed to suggest that eating with others and talking a lot takes the place of second and third helpings ---- also the desserts seem to be an important part of meals but often dessert is fresh fruit , here we know dessert is usually huge with many calories. Portion sizes, of course, are smaller in Paris.

after reading the book, further research divulged that French women who spent a lot of time in the United States usually picked up our bad habits including eating processed foods, fast foods, chips etc--- here on this forum, ppl will give advice that isn't helpful but you'll also eventually find very nice MFPers who are kind and reasonable

hollybeam94

Thank you! Its nice to see someone understood my post!
It is a really interesting book and even though I'm only a little way in it is already apparent that the French eating styles are something similar to my own (only I'm less disciplined haha) but are easy, manageable changes I could make!
Did you try the leek soup thing?
I actually paid for a meal and excersise plan that had me eating the oddest concoctions that left me unsatisfied especially after completing 100 squat/ burpee challenges

999tigger

hollybeam94 wrote: »

Alright guys, thanks for your great, motivational tips
I was referring to eating more enjoyable foods rather than plain chicken and steamed vegetables and protein shakes. And getting my exercise done in more enjoyable, stimulating ways rather than pounding a treadmill for an hour.
Besides, I wasn't asking for advice. I was asking for companions and experiences

fearlessleader104 wrote: »

Eat less and move more. There is no magic involved.

Good luck with it, but the fundamentals will boil down to the same or the fact you will lose weight will be the same i.e calorific deficit by eating less and moving more.

Just looked at an overview and can see lots of provisos and weaknesses. Its just calorie control in another format.

Theres an article in the Guardian, which you might like to read

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2004/nov/07/foodanddrink.features11

French people, it seems, naturally exercise strict portion control. In their study of why the French remain so much slimmer than Americans, the researchers from the University of Pennsylvania came to the remarkable conclusion that it was because the French ate less. 'Based on observation in Paris and Philadelphia,' they wrote, 'we document that the French portion sizes are smaller in comparable restaurants, in the sizes of individual portions in supermarkets, individual portions specified in cookbooks, and in the prominence of "all-you-can-eat" restaurants in dining guides.'

There are also forums on the official website.
http://frenchwomendontgetfat.com/forum/73

Vailara

I read the book and enjoyed it, but I've read more than one book about French eating and I get them mixed up! It did have some good advice - when I've been to France, it seems like I'm surrounded by gorgeous high calorie food, delicious fresh bread and pastries, cheese, etc., and it's difficult to imagine how French people avoid it! I did take some tips from the book although I can't remember what now. I don't really like to spend a lot of time shopping or preparing food, so some of it didn't really gel with me. (I do cook fresh meals every evening - I just have a repertoire of quick, easy recipes!). But I experimented with a couple of recipe suggestions. There was some good advice about savouring and "experiencing" food - I do love my food!

I think the 50% is good - trying to eat half of what you would previously have eaten. When I have a banana, I usually eat half (or less), without thinking about it. Portion control is easier than calorie counting in some ways. I also (usually) stick to three meals a day - no snacks. That seems to be working for me (I'm losing weight). I found the wine was a danger area for me though (it made me want to eat!) so it's just an occasional treat now.

MonsoonStorm

The book basically boils down to the same "eat less move more" philosophy as what was said above from memory (I read it years ago). Don't deprive yourself of things you enjoy, but eat in moderation (i.e. yes, have that croissant, just don't have 7!).

That and the general lifestyle differences, more walking, less driving and sitting around, being more 'mindful' (I hate that phrase...) of your eating etc. If you are going to have a croissant, sit down, relax, savour it, enjoy it. Don't just shovel it into your mouth whilst reading your morning emails and getting dressed. Make time in your day to have actual mealtimes rather than eating on the run.

MonsoonStorm

999tigger wrote: »

hollybeam94 wrote: »

Alright guys, thanks for your great, motivational tips
I was referring to eating more enjoyable foods rather than plain chicken and steamed vegetables and protein shakes. And getting my exercise done in more enjoyable, stimulating ways rather than pounding a treadmill for an hour.
Besides, I wasn't asking for advice. I was asking for companions and experiences

fearlessleader104 wrote: »

Eat less and move more. There is no magic involved.

Good luck with it, but the fundamentals will boil down to the same or the fact you will lose weight will be the same i.e calorific deficit by eating less and moving more.

Just looked at an overview and can see lots of provisos and weaknesses. Its just calorie control in another format.

Theres an article in the Guardian, which you might like to read

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2004/nov/07/foodanddrink.features11

French people, it seems, naturally exercise strict portion control. In their study of why the French remain so much slimmer than Americans, the researchers from the University of Pennsylvania came to the remarkable conclusion that it was because the French ate less. 'Based on observation in Paris and Philadelphia,' they wrote, 'we document that the French portion sizes are smaller in comparable restaurants, in the sizes of individual portions in supermarkets, individual portions specified in cookbooks, and in the prominence of "all-you-can-eat" restaurants in dining guides.'

There are also forums on the official website.
http://frenchwomendontgetfat.com/forum/73

I have to admit, when I went to America I was absolutely astounded by the size of the plates put in front of me at restaurants. It seems to be a ridiculous amount of food. Unfortunately it seems that the UK is slowly heading in that direction too.

amusedmonkey

What everyone is saying is true, it IS all about calories, but what many are not addressing is that these same calories can be either enjoyable or not - which can make or break a diet.

I have not read the book, but I always try to make sure that every single thing I eat I enjoy. I look up new recipes, eat things I already like, add some chocolate or a cookie every now and then, and never force myself to gulp down anything I'm not particularly fond of. I hate chicken and fish in most preparations for example and go to great lengths to make them taste amazing rather than choking on them.

yirara

I don't know the book, but from what I read here this is not so different than how I normally eat. Actually, I get the horrors every time I have a business trip to North America because I find it so difficult to find fresh simple bread without sugar or masses of additives, and restaurant food that consists of few fresh ingredients in small portions (yes I know why I gained weight in the first place). At least last time in Calgary I found a lovely Vietnamese restaurant which cooked what I was hoping for.

scottacular

From what I can gather on the French diet, they usually have a pastry for breakfast. Although cereal and oats are becoming more popular. They then have a really big lunch with a starter, main course and either a dessert or cheese after. Children are offered a small snack when they return from school. And dinner is between 20:00-21:00 which isn't as big as lunch. But sometimes if people have guests over there's some sort of appetiser offered before dinner. That's my understanding at least. I also read that those lunches are becoming a bit less of a tradition in an increasingly busy lifestyle.

Vailara

I agree, obviously the book involves cutting calories - that's how diets work. Like many diets that don't involve calorie counting, it's about a way to modify your eating so that eat less overall. I've tried calorie counting and it works. Currently I'm just modifying my eating, and it works just as well - but is easier to do, and I think I eat slightly better that way. I don't think it's so much a matter of which method is better, but which method works best for the individual.

Mayartica

Haaa I am French and I am here with over 50lbs to lose sooo... lol
I agree with you there more than steamed chicken and broccoli in life but I think it is all about finding the right balance (which I have not yet)

999tigger

Maybe its because we are talking about the book.

I have no problem with people eating better and by default eating less calories. I just get a bit cynical when its dressed up with a lot of hokum as part of the many diets out here.

France has a growing obesity problem although its nowhere near the size it is in the USA and UK.

Obviously you dont have to exercise, but doing something you enjoy makes sense and if you want to get in great shape rather than just be slim, then you do need to go to the gym. Its no different to whats repeated on MFP every day.

Tamois

My Mum lives in France (I'm in England) and they do tend to eat fruit or pastry for breakfast, a 3 course lunch and then something very light in the evening. Lunchtime calories are expended during the afternoon rather than slept on, as a big meal in the evening would be. Also she, and many of her friends, practice the 5:2 way of life. So 2 days a week they eat 500 calories so on the non-diet days they can then eat the pastries and 3 course meals "guilt free" so to speak.

Breester1

Hi, Hollybeam94. I'm re-reading the book now. I like her attitude towards food; makes weight loss/control sound like fun. The "Soupe aux legumes de Maman" (on p. 130) looks good; i'm going to make it this week. Let me know how you go.

Sued0nim

Actually French women do get fat

Parisiennes meanwhile ...

and the women I know are intensely focused on fitting the right clothes as they find the fashionista after them when they don't ... very aware of their food consumption

so it does actually boil down to eat less, move more

- but you don't have to eat chicken and vegetables, you can calorie count delicious foods, just make sure you're counting the calories and it works to your defecit

Not french (British) .. and I frequently (like daily) eat well-cooked tasty food and even ice cream, crisps, chocolate

Sued0nim

I haven't had steamed or grilled chicken once

But I've had chicken cacciatore, chicken burgers and chicken fajitas

Sued0nim

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2007/07/low-fat-chicken-recipes.html

here you go re chicken

plus google recipes and amend them

then make it work in your overall calories

Lois_1989

rabbitjb wrote: »

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2007/07/low-fat-chicken-recipes.html

here you go re chicken

plus google recipes and amend them

then make it work in your overall calories

Holy ****! This is my new favourite page! Pinning this on Pinterest NOW. Gawd bless ya!

DawnieB1977

scottacular wrote: »

From what I can gather on the French diet, they usually have a pastry for breakfast. Although cereal and oats are becoming more popular. They then have a really big lunch with a starter, main course and either a dessert or cheese after. Children are offered a small snack when they return from school. And dinner is between 20:00-21:00 which isn't as big as lunch. But sometimes if people have guests over there's some sort of appetiser offered before dinner. That's my understanding at least. I also read that those lunches are becoming a bit less of a tradition in an increasingly busy lifestyle.

I'm English, but I've been to France loads of times, and as I did a French degree I spent a year at university there, then I stayed on to work as an au pair for the Summer (about 9 weeks).

Portion sizes are smaller there, in comparison to England, and definitely in comparison to the US. You buy a coffee even, and it's half the size, even a large. You don't have the same choice of chocolates/cakes/biscuits/crisps and they're generally sold in sharing portions, like a big bag of crisps, a big bar of chocolate.

When I lived with the family to look after the kids, we just had cereal for breakfast. The parents came home for lunch (they had about 2 hours) and made lunch, maybe pasta, or some meat or something, and then dinner was something light. The kids had a small Kinder bar as a snack. The dad did a job in the fruit and veg industry and used to come back with huge boxes of peaches. This was in Provence, and it was hot. Meals were always family orientated, sitting together at the table.

I haven't been to France for a while now, since having kids myself, and haven't stayed with a family, but I have heard that habits have changed, people are more likely to eat a meal in front of the TV now.

I had a French colleague a few years ago, and I'm not sure she was the best example lol. She used to keep a jar of Nutella in her room, and I've never known anyone eat so much! She said when she was at school she used to eat Mcdonalds and a litre of coke every day.

I think the difference is just quantity of food...they simply eat less. I was shocked at portion sizes when I went to the US.

louminouche

The women in my French family are so good. If they go out for a meal in the evening they will either eat an apple or a slice of melon during the day. They say that way they enjoy their meal out so much more like that as they are hungry and are able to savour every morsel they put in their mouth.

stellet_licht

If you read the first chapter or so of "In Defense of Food," by Michael Pollan, you might find he has an interesting take on American's attitudes towards food vs. Western European's. Not normally a fan of his, but I grant him that it's compelling. FWIW

jkwolly

Now I want some french wine, baguettes, macaroons and cheese plz.

HeySwoleSister

hollybeam94 wrote: »

I've been reading this book for a short time now and I'm feeling really good about the idea of eating for pleasure. I've tried eating clean and restrictive but I haven't made any weight changes because I just lost so many foods! Has anyone else read the book or followed the tips? Or in fact want to try it with me?

I've read the book. I don't think the "miracle leek soup" is necessary, unless you find you mentally respond to kicking off with what is essentially a fast.

The general concept of the book is actually sound -- don't starve yourself, eat slowly and enjoy the experience of your food, walk places, take the stairs, move more.

And, some of the recipes are tasty and useful for filling up on very few calories. The pureed vegetable soup in particular is something I ate a lot of over the winter....I made a version that was so low-calorie that I could afford to melt a nice big layer of cheese on top, which made for a satisfying meal with lots of fiber and micronutrients for very little caloric intake.

Dragn77

I find that the richer and tastier a dish is, the less of it I need to be satisfied. I remember the first time i went to a fine dining restaurant, and I ordered ravioli... It came with 3..yes THREE ravioli on my plate. I looked at it like OMG are you SERIOUS?!

But by the time I made it to the last one, I was stuffed...it was SO good that I was slowly eating it and savouring every bite of it. Very different from when Id get a big plate of pasta and I just shovel it down... and for sure, a lot less calories too.

I think that is a big part of it though, smaller portions, but packed with fresh, full on flavour, that you actually taste and enjoy the process of eating. At home, that is what I strive for...which is I dont use low fat, no fat, low this, diet that... I just have the real deal in sensible portions. When we go out, what comes on my plate literally can be 2 or even 3 meals...

Add to it making a lifestyle of being active (trying my best to get my 10k steps in! But trying to walk more, drive less..) and yes..BASICALLY its eat less / move more. But the method of actually eating enjoyable foods, and being active as a lifestyle, doing things you enjoy rather than forcing yourself to eat bland food or forcing yourself to the gym if that is not somethign you enjoy, that I think is the difference that can really help.

Francl27

Mayartica wrote: »

Haaa I am French and I am here with over 50lbs to lose sooo... lol
I agree with you there more than steamed chicken and broccoli in life but I think it is all about finding the right balance (which I have not yet)

Lol I know. I grew up in France and I was always overweight. I ate a lot of croissants, cookies, cheeses, yogurts, puddings, pastries... When I moved to the US I gained 50 pounds, but mostly because I stopped walking everywhere. But yes, portions are bigger here (it was a shock when I moved), and I'd say that people use more packaged foods as a whole... I didn't know anyone who went to the gym though (but I moved when I was 23). But I didn't know that many overweight people either.

neverenoughpolish

I haven't read the book Hollybeam but I hear what you're saying. We all know the formula is eat less, move more, etc. but that's not what you're getting at.

And now that you mention it when my husband and I went to Europe 3 years ago for 2 1/2 weeks I didn't diet while I was there and pretty much ate what I wanted and I never gained any weight. We walked everywhere, I ate bread but butter wasn't generally offered and I ate gelato everywhere I went! It was very liberating not worrying about food I have to say.

In the US I tend to pick up bad habits with snacking and junk foods that I have to work on all the time to avoid.

I will go to Amazon and read up on this book. Sounds interesting.

jessiruthica

I've read (not in this particular book, but other places) about eating higher quality, tastier food but just eating less of it. It only takes a little bit, for instance, of roquefort cheese to get that hit of taste whereas it takes quite a lot of crappy cheap cheese, with which you may never actually enjoy the taste. Also, because roquefort (or really good wine or premium dark chocolate or whatever) is a stronger taste, you actually *can't* eat as much of it. I'd rather have one square of really good chocolate over a lot of average chocolate any day!