Overview of the French Women Don't Get Fat Diet

The basic premise behind the French Women Don't Get Fat diet is quality over quantity. In other words, you eat good foods in smaller portions. Smaller portions are around the size your body needs to function properly and to stay fit, trim, and healthy, not the sizes you are used to eating or you want to eat. Additionally, this diet isn't really a diet at all, but rather a gradual lifestyle change that you will not have trouble sticking with in the long run.

Foods French Women Eat

Just about every food is allowed on the French Women Don't Get Fat diet, but in moderation. The diet focuses on fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and proteins, low-fat dairy, breads and cereals, olive oil, and a wide variety of spices, seasonings, and condiments. Drinking plenty of water, herbal tea, and eating soups is encouraged. As a bonus, alcohol (beer, wine, champagne) is permitted, but also in moderation.

Foods French Women Don't Eat

High-fat foods, fatty sugar-laden sweets, and fried foods are not really a part of this diet, although they can be eaten if you must. The rule of thumb is to eat only a few bites of say, a pastry, rather than the entire dessert.

What are the eating options on the French Women Don't Get Fat Diet?

The French Women Don't Get Fat diet lists a wide variety of foods that are okay to eat and sample menus to use as a reference. Keep in mind that these menus are only suggestions. Here are breakfast, lunch, and dinner samples:

• Breakfast: Egg, English muffin, coffee, yogurt, apricots, fruity spread
• Lunch: Turkey sandwich on whole-wheat bread, vegetables, apples
• Dinner: Pinto beans, whole-wheat couscous, Swiss chard, salsa, beer (12 fl. oz.)

French Women Don't Get Fat: any exercise recommendations?

The French reject the American rule of thumb "no pain, no gain." They do what gives them pleasure. This lifestyle change diet encourages you to "look at every-day movement, what you do in street clothes, as essential to your overall wellness, and not to see exertion as something assigned to the gym."

Breathing, staying active in your daily life, and even practicing yoga moves throughout the day is encouraged. Mirielle Guiliano, creator of the diet and author of French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating For Pleasure says, "burning a mere 50 extra calories a day through les petits choses (little things) equates to 5 pounds of fat a year.

How many people follow the French Women Don't Get Fat Diet?

French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating For Pleasure has been translated into 37 languages, with 42 foreign editions. It has sold over one million copies, and was a New York Times #1 bestseller. It is safe to say that millions of women around the world have chosen and followed this diet.

Post Weight Maintenance Plans

Because this is a lifestyle diet, you will be enjoying the same high-quality foods and beverages as you did when you started the diet. Because you are eating high-quality foods and not depriving yourself, this is an easy lifestyle change to make and stick to. Continue to watch portion sizes, keep active in your daily life, and you will stay fit and healthy for life!