RELAX & RELISH: THE FRENCH FORMULA TO STAY SLIM

THE FRENCH "SLIM MINDSET"

French diet expert David Benchetrit, MD. says that first of all many French women have a mindset that helps them stay slender. "French women refuse to accept being overweight," adds David Benchetrit. Hence "It is no secret that they want to be beautiful and take care of themselves so that they look good."


RELAXING AND EATING

"Mireille Guiliano, author of the best-selling book French Women Don't Get Fat, has said that the French sit down and eat for pleasure, using all of their senses."Eating is a leisurely experience" for the French unlike the Americans who wolf down meals in record time and eat while driving or eat while working.

EATING SMALL PORTIONS

Almost all the time french meals are quite light and portions are small," says David Benchetrit.Fatty foods are enjoyed once in a way - maybe once in two weeks, he says. Wine is enjoyed regularly, but strictly in limited portions.

A French man or woman prefer small portions of the real stuff, like sugar and butter than artificial sweeteners, according to Guiliano .

Certainly the french secret for slimness is "Strictly small portions"


NO SNACKING BUT EATING YOGURT IF HUNGRY

The French say a "BIG NO NO" TO SNACKING but eat heartily at meals so they are content and won't snack. They do not believe in skipping meals but detest over eating.


Also Guiliano says that the French women manage their hunger with yogurt which is high in calcium, has protein, fat & carbohydrates,  -in short everything you need in every meal," and has become  their dietary staple.

Most French women eat one or two yogurts a day,  and especially after an evening of binging to help balance out the calories.


THE FRENCH WAY: WALK, WALK, WALK YOUR WAY TO SLIMNESS

The average french woman does not work out but walks.


This daily physical activity is one of the top reasons they are slim. In any European city having a car is a challenge. The result: city folks do a lot of walking. They walk or ride bicycles in the country.

And when French people walk or ride the bi cycle, they usually are not drinking coffee, eating, or talking on cell phones as the Americans do.