The"French" diet

Anecdotal evidence is piling up from travelers returning from extended stays in both France and Italy, and undoubtedly other places connected to the Mediterranean, that one can eat like the locals, get no exercise, and return to these United States thinner. Following our 6 plus week trip all over France, eating full fat everything, eating daily bread, and drinking wine, aperitifs, and digetifs, we approached the weigh-in back at the gym with trepidation. And yet, fellow bloggers, one of us lost 2 lbs, the other maintained a level achieved earlier through a modified low carb diet and gym workouts.

Surprise! We mentioned this to friends, and then to anyone who would listen, comparing notes. Many people had had the same experience--we Googled French diet paradox and turned up several references, including a book called The Fat Fallacy by Will Clower. Clower and his wife spent about 2 years in France as post doc students, taking with them their two kids and, for several months, Will's Mom. They ate like the French, ate with the French, and the adults,even the author's Mom, who was there less than 2 years, lost weight. She evidently went from an almost size 14 to a 6, without dieting, without thinking of dieting.....

In short, the book suggests that Americans might consider A--eating whole fat milk and cheeses, butter, olive oil, nuts, good bread, fish, chicken, pork, rarely beef, many veggies, desserts, cocoa butter rich dark chocolate B--eating smaller portions and eating more slowly C--eating no processed foods D--not eating between meals E--eating together as a family F--eating some of everything G--enjoying wine, a friendly food, with dinner. The author definitely thinks exercise should be part of the mix, but exercise can be as little as doing more walking. Most people in towns and villages of France walk every day to shop, to work, to school, to see friends.

Food is seen as the enemy here, he claims, as something daunting and possibly harmful. It is something to be counted and weighed and worried about, whereas in France food is pleasure, quality is important, taking time to prepare and eat good food makes sense. Mind you, even in France and elsewhere in Europe, more people are buying "take out" on busy evenings---but they go to their local traiteur and bring back freshly prepared, delicious foods to put on the table.

Whole Foods in Albuquerque makes a perfect, slightly whole wheat baguette, friends......and the cheeses....

Anyone experience surprising weight loss after traveling and eating well? We're not talking dysentery, folks.....

Comments

[liz]

Hi Mary,

>From one mom to another I think I have a solution for you!! I want to lose 40 pounds, and I've lost 28 so far!!! I am feeling fantastic and have more energy than I did when I was in college. I went through three different Herbalife distributors until I found the person I felt really actually cared about me and helped me to start getting results. The bottom line was that I wanted to find somebody that could offer me good prices, but that could also check in with me to make sure I was doing ok.

I used to drive two hours to meet with my first distributor in West Haven, Connecticut. I even brought the girls with me a few times because I couldn't find a babysitter. Today my Herbalife coach does everything over the phone and it is much easier with my busy schedule. You can order Herbalife online on his website, you get the shakes a few days after with FedEx and then you can setup a telephone meeting once a week to make sure you are doing the program right.

His name is Danny Castello and his website is www.goshape.com. The number is (310) 928- 3835. He and his girlfriend Michaela actually do most of the coaching together as a team, but she has an Herbalife site as well: www.puresteps.com. He does most of the motivation on the call and gives you important facts regarding nutrition. He can be a bit tough but he really wants you to get results. She is a bit softer- so they make a good combination. Actually I also recommend joining his newsletter first so you can see the articles on nutrition. They also have videos so you can see who they are before actually calling them. Its nice because they actually use the products too. You can see on their websites.

Hope this helps!

Liz

[mary]

Hello, This is Mary

I am 36 years old with 2 toddlers. My youngest just started day care last week- which still feels a little strange. I haven't had this much time to myself in years. First thing I want to do is lose the extra pounds I put on during the last pregnancy. One of the girls next door has suggested I join her walking group two days a week. After my first pregnancy I lost around 35 pounds using the Herbalife products, but when I called the man that sold them to me three years ago he told me this week he doesn't sell them anymore. He told me to look on the internet. It's disappointing because he was really nice and he called me regularly to make sure I was using their products correctly. It was nice to have someone checking in with me every week to see how I was and it kept me motivated.

I searched on the internet for someone that sells Herbalife in New Jersey. I found many websites but I don't want
just to buy the products, I want to find someone trustworthy that sells the products so I can also meet them and get started again.

Could anybody here recommend someone in New Brunswick?
.

Thanks, Mary

[jackee]

people are in france eating drinking and not going in gym but they are fit and slim. not like american which are too fat.

[christine clark]

I came to the states from England in 1990,and I'm sure, that all the hormones, that are pumped into the meat and dairy in this country, are to blame for everyone, ballooning in size.
My son who was 5 years old when we arrived here, was a slim, petite little guy,but within six months he was almost double the size.
I have had lots of problems with endometriosis, and a fibroid removed the size of a cantoloupe.
All, I'm sure, stemming, from eating too much meat and dairy. Needless to say, I no longer eat meat, and only little organic milk and cheese.
Europeans by the way, have banned the import of American meat, I wonder why?

[mariah]

I whole heartedly agree with the gist of this discussion.
Though I think it is HOW we eat, not what we eat that matters.
As many people have brought up, the traditions surrounding meals are important.
taking time and pleasure in food is important above all else.
bon appetite!

[foodie]

This whole subject of enjoying food is mentioned in a recent blog post here---March 1, 2007.
Enjoyment, taste, being satisfied, celebration---yes!

[Sophie Louise]

I have just read "French Women don't get fat" and also am currently reading "Two Lipsticks and a Lover" (both about the French way of life) and i have found them very useful. They both really inspire you to take pride in your appearance and take pleasure from the small things. I usually am very particular about what i eat and after experimenting with the French diet feel much happier and definately more comfortable with my appearance. I have a sweet tooth and could eat dessert for every meal of the day and usually try to restrict my intake. Eating the 'French way' i am able to eat what i want, restricting my cravings for sweet things constantly, i don't feel bloated or full after eating too much and i feel that i am losing weight. Basically you need to try to take pleasure in many aspects of your life, and not centre your enjoyment around eating. Before you go to eat that McDonald's meal, think about it, does it really taste that good?

[James Galvin]

Asian food is best i think. It is social so you are eating with other people which forces you to chat while you eat. I think largely the problem is we have our own plate and stuff ourselves beyond where we should. Secondly, smaller bites are required in Chinese food because it can be picked up with chopsticks. A big steak (they are extremely overrated) can be eaten quickly with large bites. If you want to take a culinary tour of sichuan, I am arranging one this summer/fall of '07.

http://eatchina.blogspot.com

[Adrian]

Article regarding The French Paradox at:

www.adrianherritt.com/health/the-french-paradox

presents a different viewpoint.

[karen conley]

After a few weeks on the French diet, I lost several pounds. More importantly, my husband and I enjoyed conversation by turning off the tv, turning on music and eating our fresh meal in several courses. I never thought he would go along with it but it has been extemely pleasurable for both of us!

[Cynthia]

A recent study at the University of Chicago suggests that, even if you're seriously overweight, you can still be quite healthy and live a good long life if you eat fresh foods and get enough exercise. (Granted, the combination of good eating and exercise don't always coincide with a weight problem -- but they do coincide, and with surprising frequency, apparently.) Good news for those of us who, despite long walks and organic produce, still find that it's hard to keep the weight off.

[Yan]

I had a similar experience when I vacationed in Montreal. I ate enormous portions of regular (meaning not low/no-carb/fat/calorie) meals three times a day. Granted dessert was rare, most of the food was fresh and I walked miles every day... still, I managed to lose 2 lb in just under a week eating almost twice as much as I usually do, and I'm quite slender to begin with.
I do believe physical exercise plays a large role as well as eating slower and the quality of the food; It does work however.

[Becca]

I recently took a vacation to france for about two weeks. I am a very weight concous person and i didnt really worry about it on my trip because i wanted to enjoy paris. In the morning i would have croissant with coffee for lunch i would have crepes salads steak pommes frites almost anything. For dinner much the same as lunch. I would eat what seemed to be giant baguettes. I was quite sure I would balloon when i got back and would surely have to hit the gym. When i got back to the states i weighed myself and ended up losing 10 pounds in fourteen days. I dont take diets seriously anymore walk and eat ehat you like thats all thats needed to get a french body.

[M.B.Corso]

I have been to France a few times and read "French Women Don't Get Fat" as well as other books about eating in that culture and the Mediterranean. My favorite book about French food and life style is Robert Arbor's "Joie de Vivre" which I heartily recommend. Here are some observations.
French people are food worshippers. They want the best. They want it fresh. They will walk across town, or go to the next town, for better bread or a favorite farmer's cheese. They don't accept second best. Americans are not very savvy about food, and sometimes the people who sell it to them are just "doing their job."
Most French people eat food that follows the seasons. They know when the first little strawberries should appear, when truffles will be available, when the first squash blossoms should appear at the market. They don't buy processed food. (Because it is warmer than France, Spain ships great produce to France year round. Melons melt in your mouth. I never forgot the wonderful dates I found on rue de Grenelle in the 7th in Paris - probably from Morocco.)
Americans don't enjoy food. They eat it mindlessly. French people plan for their meals with relish, looking forward to dining. They allow time for a leisurely time at the table. 2 hour lunch breaks are common. In Paris, small cafes that serve wholesome, fresh food at lunch are packed -- with regulars.
Many French people smoke! And smoking does keep your weight down. I have read that some French women admit to smoking for that reason.
Breakfast is rarely missed. In the south of France, I saw a gentleman travel to the boulangerie on a bike and head home at 7 am with 4 baguettes in the basket of the bike. They were probably all eaten by sundown by a healthy family.
Americans don't enjoy cooking and eating at home. They prefer to eat out in quick serve or take out eating places. The French consider being a good cook (male or female) a great asset. When cooking gets "classy" in America, things might change.
Because of small refrigerators and kitchens, fresh food is bought daily. Sit on rue Cler sometime in Paris (a market street in the 7th arr.) and watch women come home from work at 6:30 pm. They make stops at the butcher, the vegetable stand, and the cheese store on their way to their apartment. They carry heavy bags several blocks, then walk up several flights of steps before they are home. Tomorrow they will buy fresh again.
Americans argue at the table. The French reserve their "discussions" for other times.
The French mindset about food is entirely different from ours. Children eat what their parents eat from an early age, with few concessions. Meals are eaten "en famille" around the table in the evening, in at least 3 courses -- more on Sunday. People aren't rushing to games and meetings; the meal begins family time at home. And, it's eaten much later than Americans eat. The television does not rule their lives and they NEVER eat watching it.
Snacking just isn't done, and eating on the street is considered very poor manners. Want a coffee at 4 PM? Tuck into the nearest cafe, sit down, order your drink, people watch or meditate for half an hour.
Dessert is probably fruit or a simple fruit tart during the week, but something very special on Sunday from the patisserie.
Until Americans change many of the above differences from the French style, "eating French" will be a fad that will fade away like Atkins.

[Foodie]

Teresa and Sara--Good point--the remarkable Slow Food movement is worth a look, if you haven't connected with it as yet. http://www.slowfood.com/

USA http://www.slowfoodusa.org/

[Sara]

A key element people forget is stress. French people are not allowed by law to work more than 35 hrs a week. That would be considered lazy here by most definitions.

They have time to relax, and to eat leisurely, and to think about life and not be stressed out.

[Teresa]

I've found sipping wine helps me with lunch and dinner, as I have to put down knife and fork first... I've been a 'speed eater' for ages! I'm getting towards an hour a meal, with gaps between courses and sipping the wine. Very good for someone who used to eat a meal within 15 minutes (or less sometimes!).

I am finding with eating leisurely meals and eating food I really enjoy that I am more satisfied and not so likely to snack (another big problem of mine). :)

[Jo]

I've been trying to follow the French way of life for about two months, and I find it sort of difficult. Yes, you can eat richer foods, but you REALLY, REALLY, REALLY have to think about how much you are putting into your mouth. If most Americans are like I am, than that is VERY difficult. I find that I really want to zone while I eat. I want to just zone and shovel food into my gob.

Has anyone else felt that they have to CONSTANTLY really think about not zoneing and shoveling? Any tricks that people have found helpful to maintain the not-zoneing-and-shoveling way of eating?

I think that my obvious habit of the zone & shovel shows just how correct the author of "The Fat Fallacy," and "French Women Don't Get Fat" are. I find, though, that once programed to eat that way, no matter how much you think about not doing it you eventually ease back into the zone and shovel. I guess I'll just have to keep working on it.

[Will Clower]

You know, the point you guys are making is well taken. There are cultures around the world whose traditional habits of healthy eating do not produce overweight, obesity, and the list of health problems they tow behind them. If we use their habits as a model, we can get their results ... whether it's French, Asian, Indian, it doesn't matter.

We've been struggling with a million new theories about weight and health. It seems like observation would be the more conservative route. "Find success. Do that."

I would love to hear your thoughts on this!!

Will Clower, author The Fat Fallacy

[CJ Reiber]

This is fascinating! I have recently been looking for proof to support the idea that the food we eat doesn't matter, but rather our thought. To Virginia, I now would say, it was the group consciousness of the people of France that was the "something else" you are wondering about. When raised to believe you can eat whatever you want and you won't gain weight, you don't! I have just heard about a book titled "French Women Don't Get Fat" which I intend to look up. And then I'd highly recommend another book called "The Only Diet There Is," which speaks to this very subject. Quite the phenomenon! I believe I'm going to conduct my own experiment. Thanks for creating this blog! CJ

[Virginia Lavender]

I lived in France as a teenager in the 1950's. We ate the food my mother cooked, and my mother cooked American. When we came back to the States, I ballooned immediately. This was before fast food, before much TV, and we ate the same food in the States that we ate in France. We went out to dinner more in France, as in the States we lived in the country.
What happened? Any theories? What if it's not the diet, but something else?

[joyce piotrowski]

In the last 2 years I've been on 2 long vacations, to China and Italy. AS a very much overweight person, I was acutely aware that there were very few fat people or even slightly overweight people in either of those countries. The difference was not the food. In both cases food was abundant and delicious. In Italy the glorious gelato shops were everywhere and I watched as slender women ate a moveable feast in a chocolate dipped waffle cone. In china everyone eats on the street. I watched as slender folks lined up for breakfasts of steaming bowls of tofu custard and fried onion pastries and then gobbles bowls of spicy noodles at mid-morning. Food was everywhere. They ate at outdoor cafes late into the night.
The difference that I noticed was in the level of exercise......In both countries everyone walks. There are no elevators. In China the law is that there cannot be an elevator untless the building is 8 stories or more. In Italy most people seem to live in four and five storie walk-ups. Every purchase is carried up those stairs. People walk to shop, people walk to work and people walk for enjoyment.
On our China tour every restaurant we were taken to was on the second or third floor....no elevator. And every sightseeing spot was up a flight of stairs (200 to 400 steps was what we were usually told).

Two seasons ago, Public Television put on a mini-series called Frontier House. Three families lived as they would have 150 years ago. They chopped wood, plowed fields, gathered hay and doug gardens and latrines. One man thought he was sick because no matter how much he ate, he was losing weight. The U.S. Army doctor sent on a house call told him that Army records for the period of time they were recreating indicated his weight and that of all those taking part in the series was right in line with what it should have been.

I guess what that says to me is that if you exercise enough you can't eat too much....you just burn it off. Now if I could just get a job chopping wood or carrying mail instead of sitting at this computer............................