They seem to have it all don’t they? We’ve
already concluded French women
are the best dressed, are brilliant at
interior design and live in probably
the prettiest city in the world. So it’s
hard not to feel even a little envious of the fact they enjoy one of the
worlds nest cuisines too, especially
when they all seem to stay so slim.
How? All of those baguettes, all that
cheese, wine? What’s their secret?
This topic has been a height of discussion for years, I’m sure you’ve
heard of Mireille Giuliano's French
Women Don’t Get Fat. In fact, there’s
an endless list of self-help and cook
books and blogs dedicated to French
eating culture, it really has become a fascination to foreigners. We take
a look at the authors and experts
and try to unearth the tricks behind
eating rich and staying slim.
American ex-pat Susan Herrmann Loomis now lives in a small town just outside of Paris. Late last year she released her book, In A French Kitchen: Tales and Traditions of Everyday Home Cooking. A celebration of French lifestyle and food, she explores tips and tricks along with 85 French recipes you can try yourself. She regularly visits her local farmers markets and knows her vegetable salesmen, baker and butcher by name. “Sixty percent of the French buy their groceries at the farmers' market or at the épicerie. They all agree... that intimacy among the produce makes for better meals and, quite simply, a better life.” Loomis also reveals that refrigerators in French homes are actually usually pretty bare, bar some fresh meat, cheese and a couple bottles of wine, of course. She says this is because in France, the fridge is “a holding area rather than a storage bin.”
It seems the integral key here is where your food comes from. Bread? Fine. Cheese? Fine. So long as it comes from your local cheese shop or boulangerie. French women shop for their produce locally, from market stalls and butchers. Think organic and no preservatives - it’s all about fresh, natural ingredients.
Emily Grossman, editor of French food and lifestyle blog Goutaste, recounts her one of her rst meals when moving to Paris. “I’d bought a single chicken breast from a butcher because I could barely a ord anything else, yet I felt I needed to have meat for dinner.” With a little browned fresh butter and wine she managed to create a delicious meal out of natural ingredients, on a budget. “The mere ingredients I had used turned my simple supper into something orgasmic – $5 for sublime pleasure, genetically pure, no toxins added.” Grossman also says you should shop for seasonal vegetables first, then choose meat as an afterthought, “this ensures your dish is veggie-heavy and veggie-focused.”
Unsatisfying, synthetic diet foods should also be avoided, they’re usually packed with faddy, over-processed ingredients with little nourishment. Get to know your local food salesmen, go for natural foods of the earth – they’re not only better for you, but are a treat for the tastebuds too. Remember, if you’re putting good, quality food in, your body should look good too.
All in moderation
"French women inherently understand that satisfaction is qualitative not quantitative” says Sally Asher, author
of Losing It in France: Les Secrets of the French Diet. We’ve established fresh produce and meat is essential. But of course, French women enjoy indulging too – in their wine, their chocolate. It is however, all in moderation. Yes, wine is an accompaniment to each course of a French meal, but it’s there in small measures, to compliment the food rather than to gulp and satisfy thirst. Same goes for dairy, fat and carbs, they’re not so much labelled as bad foods in France, “after all, a little baguette and brie won’t make you fat, but eating too much will” says Asher.
It’s well known the French often enjoy three-course meals, but what’s also common is that a French woman may leave half of what’s on her plate. Rather than clearing the plate, as so many other western cultures were taught and encouraged to do, the French work on internal cues; stopping when they are full rather than ensuring the plate is empty.
Another popular saying in France to remember here is to “eat like a queen in the morning, a princess for lunch and a poor girl at night,” as told to Elle by French Christian Dior Publicist, Fanny Bourdette-Donon. Breakfast should be the most important meal of the day, definitely, but contrary to the cliché, croissants are just for the week- end, when you have time to savour. Herrmann notes in her book that “croissants are considered special, and they're also the original fast food–you eat them for special occasions and for those desperate moments when you're starving and there wasn't time to make toast.”
“I eat everything, just not too much," says actress Sophie Marceau to Stylist. "Not junk food, but I love wine and chocolate.” We can take tips by simply sipping one or two small glasses of red with dinner, rather than guzzling the entire bottle. Or practice advice from Grossman, who suggests enjoying “a chocolate true after lunch, not 2 slices of cake.”
It’s not about restriction, but balance. French women won’t devour an entire French stick or wheel of Camembert to themselves. Indulge occasionally in your favourite treats, satisfying cravings is only natural and so long as it’s moderated, it won’t hurt you.
Sit at the table, take your time
In Paris (and all parts of France) eating isn't just a necessity, but a social ritual. “A meal is a very particular moment, in which you share pleasure, the food as well as the conversation,” Paris-based nutritionist Dr Françoise L’Hermite tells Stylist. Sitting to the table is a must, and frankly the idea of snacking or eating on the go is pretty ludicrous to the French.
The lifestyle of a Parisian is often hectic and busy, with more and more young people in the city getting lunch à porter (to go). They will always, however nd a park bench or peaceful spot to stop and eat, the French feel food deserves their full attention and respect.
In her book, Loomis recalls a bit of “excellent wisdom” from her friend, François Olivier, a cheese-maker, who told her, “If ever my grandfather caught me eating while standing, he would look at me and say, 'You wouldn't fill the gas tank of your car while the motor is running, would you? Sit down and take the time to eat.”
Slowing it down will also give your body time to appreciate the flavours, and give your body time to acknowledge and tell you when it’s full. Dinner time, especially on weekends, eating and cooking is very much a social activity. Hosting a dinner party in your apartment is a common occurrence in Paris. Caroline De Maigret’s perfect Sunday is “friends and family gathered around a great lunch.” It’s not so much about showing o your talents in the kitchen, but bring- ing people together for a delicious homely meal.
Wine & cheese are actually good for you
For the most part – again moderation is important here. Grossman learned during her time in France that follow- ing a big meal with some natural cheese and drinking red wine throughout is essential for good digestion. And who are we to argue? Perhaps these foods, which we may normally perceive as naughty treats, are the key to how these slim French women digest their regular three course meals and keep a good physique.
Stylist also reported recently that the fermented, mould- ed cheeses like Camembert and Roquefort that France is famed for actually contain “anti-inflammatory properties that could help guard against cardiovascular diseases,” as suggested by Medical Hypotheses journal. Scientists have since announced these endings could explain why France has the lowest rate of cardiovascular mortality in the developed world.
Red wine, too, also has health benefits – particularly the French stuff. In addition to aiding digestion by cutting through fatty meats and rich butters, it’s been long believed that red wine is another diet staple that assists the low statistics if heart disease in France. It’s also easy on the calorie count and contains a high number of antioxidants. A definite yes from us!
So, in short: keep it natural, keep it moderated, sit at the table and remember a bit of cheese and red wine never hurt anyone. If you fancy putting your French chef’s hat on, turn over for a few of our favourite Parisian recipes to try out at home.
In Paris (and all parts of France) eating isn't just a necessity, but a social ritual. “A meal is a very particular moment, in which you share pleasure, the food as well as the conversation,” Paris-based nutritionist Dr Françoise L’Hermite tells Stylist. Sitting to the table is a must, and frankly the idea of snacking or eating on the go is pretty ludicrous to the French.
The lifestyle of a Parisian is often hectic and busy, with more and more young people in the city getting lunch à porter (to go). They will always, however nd a park bench or peaceful spot to stop and eat, the French feel food deserves their full attention and respect.
In her book, Loomis recalls a bit of “excellent wisdom” from her friend, François Olivier, a cheese-maker, who told her, “If ever my grandfather caught me eating while standing, he would look at me and say, 'You wouldn't fill the gas tank of your car while the motor is running, would you? Sit down and take the time to eat.”
Slowing it down will also give your body time to appreciate the flavours, and give your body time to acknowledge and tell you when it’s full. Dinner time, especially on weekends, eating and cooking is very much a social activity. Hosting a dinner party in your apartment is a common occurrence in Paris. Caroline De Maigret’s perfect Sunday is “friends and family gathered around a great lunch.” It’s not so much about showing o your talents in the kitchen, but bring- ing people together for a delicious homely meal.
Wine & cheese are actually good for you
For the most part – again moderation is important here. Grossman learned during her time in France that follow- ing a big meal with some natural cheese and drinking red wine throughout is essential for good digestion. And who are we to argue? Perhaps these foods, which we may normally perceive as naughty treats, are the key to how these slim French women digest their regular three course meals and keep a good physique.
Stylist also reported recently that the fermented, mould- ed cheeses like Camembert and Roquefort that France is famed for actually contain “anti-inflammatory properties that could help guard against cardiovascular diseases,” as suggested by Medical Hypotheses journal. Scientists have since announced these endings could explain why France has the lowest rate of cardiovascular mortality in the developed world.
Red wine, too, also has health benefits – particularly the French stuff. In addition to aiding digestion by cutting through fatty meats and rich butters, it’s been long believed that red wine is another diet staple that assists the low statistics if heart disease in France. It’s also easy on the calorie count and contains a high number of antioxidants. A definite yes from us!
So, in short: keep it natural, keep it moderated, sit at the table and remember a bit of cheese and red wine never hurt anyone. If you fancy putting your French chef’s hat on, turn over for a few of our favourite Parisian recipes to try out at home.
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