If you follow the French model when it comes to dieting, you’ll have a better chance of becoming -- and staying -- thin. At least that’s the theory behind the diet book, “French Women Don’t Get Fat,” by Mireille Guiliano. This plan focuses on eating mindfully, getting enough exercise and watching portions. Always consult a doctor before starting a new diet plan.
Mindful Eating
French women eat more mindfully than American women, Guiliano says in her book. That means focusing on your meals and savoring your food. Eating slowly and truly enjoying every bite is one strategy the American Dietetic Association also recommends.
Moderation
The French model diet emphasizes moderation over rigid eating plans or counting calories. That means you don’t cut out foods that you enjoy or crave such as bread or chocolate -- you indulge but simply watch your portions. Portion control is one key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Drink Water
Another difference between American and French women is that women in France drink more water, according to Guiliano’s book. Drinking water prior to eating is an effective way to reduce calorie intake at meals, according to a February 2010 study published in the journal “Obesity.” Also, drinking more water may play an important role in preventing obesity, notes a scientific review published in the September 2010 journal “Nutrition Reviews.”
Walk More
Guiliano also advocates preventing weight gain by burning off calories the calories you consume via exercise. However, the author tells Oprah.com that French women don’t typically hit the gym. Instead, they burn calories by walking more often. Walking 10,000 steps a day has numerous health benefits beyond helping you control your weight, notes Julia A. Savacool in an online article on GoodHousekeeping.com. These include reducing your risk for heart disease, helping to lower your blood pressure and cutting risk for breast cancer. Taking 10,000 steps equals between 4.5 and five miles a day, which can be accomplished in three 20-minute chunks. The hour of walking burns 300 to 500 calories, which equals one pound lost in a week to 10 days.
References
- French Women Don’t Get Fat; Mireille Guiliano
- Oprah.com: The Secret French Diet Page 2
- MireilleGuiliano.com: How to Eat Like a (French) Lady
- American Dietetic Association: Have Your Diet and Eat Cake Too
- Mayo Clinic: Guide to Portion Control for Weight Loss
- Good Housekeeping: Lose Weight By Walking
- Oprah.com: The Secret French Diet Page 3
- Obesity: Water Consumption Increases Weight Loss During a Hypocaloric Diet Intervention in Middle-Aged and Older Adults
- Nutriton Reviews: Impact of Water Intake on Energy Intake and Weight Status
- Mayo Clinic: Weight Loss
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