French women seem to enjoy indulgences like croissants, goat cheese, and eggs benedict without the negative repercussions that often follow. It would seem that being thin and healthy is a lifestyle choice in France rather than an impossible goal. Author Mireille Guiliano discusses how this is possible and offers advice on how we can attain this same goal with her book French Women Don't Get Fat:
The Secret of Eating for Pleasure.
In French Women Don't Get Fat, author Mireille Guiliano reveals to readers some secrets of the French lifestyle--secrets which have enabled them to enjoy indulgences like croissants, goat cheese, and eggs benedict without the negative repercussions that often follow.
The goal of this book is to help Americans enjoy the French lifestyle, as well as to provide readers with information that can be used to maintain a healthy weight.
"My goal is to make you feel good and understand that thin is beautiful." -- Mireille Guiliano
Mireille Guiliano's desire to educate readers on the French way of eating has inspired her book, French Women Don't Get Fat, written in three parts. Part one focuses on nutrition and food choices, explaining how many common French foods are more nutrient-dense than the American version. Part two explains the French lifestyle and traditions that enable them to maintain a healthy weight without putting on extra pounds. Finally, part three explains various French eating strategies that readers can use in order to better understand their bodies, as well as recipes and sample menus to guide readers in making changes to their eating habits.
"I want you to see and understand the beauty of thin." -- Mireille Guiliano
The first thing that catches the attention of readers is the author's ability to make complex topics seem easy. Throughout the book, she explains how French women manage to keep their figures while enjoying food they love. This characteristic has made her a popular speaker at numerous food and lifestyle events.
"I want you to see your weight as easy--as a choice. Not a problem." -- Mireille Guiliano
Guiliano begins by discussing some of the misconceptions about French women and their weight. Many people believe that French women are too thin to have metabolisms like those of Westerners, but this couldn't be further from the truth. She writes: "What is the secret of eating for pleasure in France? By keeping your metabolism in shape (a healthy body requires less food than an unhealthy one), you can enjoy more dishes than you would if you ate American-style."
"You're not born with good habits. You have to make them. You have to choose them." -- Mireille Guiliano
She continues by discussing why people become overweight and how they can ward off weight gain. Guiliano explains that once people reach a certain weight, their metabolism slows down, making it harder for them to lose weight or maintain it. She writes: "When people become overweight, their body needs more food than usual in order to function normally."
"The French don't like excuses. They want to know the solution." -- Mireille Guiliano
In order to help readers understand how they can meet their goals, Guiliano also details various strategies that other cultures have used in the past. For example, she discusses the eating patterns of the Japanese, who maintain a trim figure while enjoying a variety of foods that are low in fat.
"Hard work is always better than good luck." -- Mireille Guiliano
Throughout her book, Guiliano emphasizes that the key to attaining weight loss goals is through personal responsibility and accountability. She writes: "Everything in life has a price and a reason. If you want to be thin and have good health, you must pay for it."
"I do things for pleasure. I don't do things because I have to. You have to choose. You can see your thin as a choice, not a problem." -- Mireille Guiliano
Part two of the book focuses on the French lifestyle and traditions that enable them to maintain a healthy weight. Guiliano includes a discussion of their focus on food and exercise, their active approach to eating, and their belief that it's more important to eat well than exercise excessively. Throughout this section, she also reveals various strategies for eating out in France that allow readers to enjoy meals without worrying about calories.
"Don't believe what is in fashion. Find the best style for you." -- Mireille Guiliano
The final part of the book explains various French eating strategies that readers can use in order to better understand their bodies, as well as recipes and sample menus to guide them in making changes to their eating habits. By detailing how French women enjoy a wide variety of foods, Guiliano hopes that readers will be able to put her advice into action.
"When you have taste, you don't need so much food." -- Mireille Guiliano
Guiliano provides dozens of tips throughout her book that can be used by any reader who is interested in living like a French woman. For example, she writes: "Drink your glass of water immediately after your meal--and no dessert!"
"Having a beautiful body is not your goal. It is just one step to feeling like a good person." -- Mireille Guiliano
In the end, French Women Don't Get Fat is an enlightening read that can be used by anyone who has ever wished to feel better about themselves. Guiliano has created a book that can be enjoyed by readers who are interested in learning more about the French style of living, as well as those who want to lose weight.
