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

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.

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 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

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!