French Women Don't Get Fat 🇫🇷

6 science-backed traditions to get you riviera-ready this summer

French women don’t get fat 🇫🇷

6 science-backed traditions to get you riviera-ready this summer

French women dont get fat. They also dont work out or diet, and the same goes for their men. Clearly they know something we don’t.

Mireille Guiliano, CEO of Veuve Clicquot US, summarized these tips in her unapologetic self-help book “French Women Don’t Get Fat”

Since publishing, science has proved a many of these traditions to be effective in managing weight and improving health, let’s explore:

1. BE A SNOB about sourcing 👃 

Eat fresh, seasonal and high quality food, turn your nose up at the rest.

France is the 6th largest exporter of agriculture in the world, making them perhaps the largest per-capita producer of quality food. They have an abundance of produce and animal products grown right outside their cities, and put a priority on freshness and seasonality.

Total supply chain length: be it distance shipping, time storing, or processing contributes to inflammation, which is a key driver of obesity.

Mice eating out-of season oranges became more obese than those eating in-season oranges of the same caloric content.

2. Eat satiating foods rich in saturated fats, animal protein and high quality carbs 🧈

The French consume the most saturated fat in Europe but have the lowest incidence of heart disease.

Make sure your frites are seed oil free

A recent study in Nature Metabolism showed that our metabolic rates have declined by over 220 calories per day while at rest. The authors hypothesize that seed oils may be to blame, and even proved it in mice.

The French consume the most butter in Europe (we did this in America pre 1940). These saturated fats are likely keeping their metabolisms revved up, and keeps them satiated and away from the snack aisle.

3. Have most of your calories earlier in the day ⏰

The French eat their largest meal at lunch, and have a light breakfast (yogurt and toast) and a light dinner (an omelette or soup).

There is evidence that it’s beneficial to get most of your calories earlier in the day, rather than close to bed. Study participants who ate earlier had reduced blood pressure and better glucose profiles.

4. Walk everywhere, and walk briskly 🏃‍♀️

65% of French take a long brisk walk 7 days per week, while only 50% of Americans do so 5 days per week:

Paris is a highly walkable city which forces this upon them, but you can find time for a high-speed lindy walk throughout the day no matter where you live. If you live in a city, waking up early and walking to work is a great way to get more activity in.

5. BE A SNOB about high quality mineral water, in glass bottles if possible 💧

The French drink tons of high quality bottled water daily, carbonated and still which helps keep their electrolytes balanced and gives them something to look forward to other than food.

This also diminishes exposure to toxins like microplastics, glyphosate and fluoride that we have to deal with in the states. Sadly glass bottled water is not as plentiful stateside.

6: Embrace the ritual of communal meals. Set the table, light some candles, make a production of it 🕯️

The French spend twice as much time per day eating (11% vs our 5%) than us, yet manage to stay much trimmer.

They consider eating something to be shared with friends or family. Private snacking is thought to be shameful and is generally avoided. When you source great local ingredients and make a production out of meals, it makes snacking seem empty.

(Smaller plates and dishes also help in magnifying portions if you are really trying to cut weight)

In summary 🥐:

Break the cycle of binging and fasting by consuming real whole foods you look forward to with people you love. Try to stay active, eat when the sun is up, and avoid toxins.

And go find some butter

- Seed Oil Scout 🫡

Mireille has also published a “French Women don’t get Fat” cookbook, and a guide to living seasonally.