French Women Don't Get Fat

"Um, isn't it obvious, they all smoke like chimneys! In all honesty, I lived with a French woman and I'll tell you how she stayed thin, 1 hour a day at the gym and she considered a "meal" one laughing cow cheese slice.

Not rocket science, they just don't eat much at all!"
~ Written on 2008-09-03

""Kazakh women do not get fat or old or anything" this should have been the title of the next book in the series of stories how French/Japanese ("Japanese women do not get old or fat")/Kazakh /Other foreign women come to the US, gain 20-30 pounds, return home and loose all that baggage, in no time, thanks to local cuisine. By the way, anyone who has ever been to Almaty, Kazakhstan notes how slim and gorgeous are women there. I could share my story of abandoning unhealthy American food and going back to my roots, literally. But I would not. The truth is that after spending 2 years (guess where) in Alabama I lost one size and now I am a tiny size 00. I have never been in a better shape. The reason: I looked around and tagged along Alabamians at what Americans are the best: sports and organic food. There are lots of organic food stores and you can get great personal training for a very affordable price. Now that I moved to Paris I can see the difference, and I prefer my "D1" work - outs to those of the "Vit'Halles" .
I remember when my dear chubby American friend asked me what do I do to stay so thing and young and I replied "Watch your diet," munching on a piece of bread spread with 100% fat homemade butter. It was organic, of course.
My point is that in some places people insist more on having fresh food and the food industry has to comply. In some countries it is commonplace to buy directly from the farmer, which and almost impossible in the US. Food produced by big corporations and fast food chains is packed with chemicals that affect your weight and health. So watch your diet and you will not have to travel to France/Japan to lose weight. "
~ Written on 2008-08-27

"I was very excited when I first got this book, but I grew more and more disappointed the more I read. The constant stereotyping was mildly irritating- yes, more Americans are overweight than the French, but we are not all the same, and we are certainly not stupid and do not need to be talked down to. Also, almost everything the author said was either common sense or just plain wrong. Anyone writing a book about weight loss who does not even know that fats and lipids are the same thing should NOT be taken seriously, and starting off on a diet of leeks only is NOT nutritionally sound. I would not recommend this book to anyone unless they are looking for a few French recipes.

The title of this book is memorable; sadly, the book is not worth your time."
~ Written on 2008-08-20

"I feel that some people are taking this book too literally. This book, like any other diet book, is about changing some habits from unhealthy to healthy. And it promotes thinking about food in a different way, and using different ingredients than you normally would.
I used to go to the farmers market every Saturday and buy loads of healthy food, and then let it all go to waste because I was either too lazy or uninspired to do anything with it.
After reading this book I am planning my meals more, thinking about at least 3 different recipes I could use for one kind of fruit or vegetable when I buy them (to prevent waste), and balancing my meals better.
Sure, sometimes it can come off as condescending, but what diet book doesn't?
Instead of nitpicking maybe people should just get over their attitude and enjoy the book for what it's worth."
~ Written on 2008-07-22

"The advice shared in this book is fine. I have no quarrel with it. I will agree with some of the other reviewers that some of the strategies the author suggests come much easier if one lives in a city than if one lives in a rural area. However, adjustments can be made.

However, her point about French women effortlessly controlling their weight is a myth from what I've observed. I lived on a French island, and believe you me, those French women watched every morsel they put into their mouth. Oftentimes, I would see women nibbling on a few slices of cataloupe and ham for lunch and that's it (far different from the indulgent lunches that the author describes). I knew of plenty of French people who went to the gym (and this is on an island, where they could have the choice of swimming or some other water sport).

I'm not saying that the author's advice is wrong. I think many of her strategies are on target. However, what she's describing may be the France of old, not the France of today."
~ Written on 2008-07-14