Can doing as the French do really help us lose weight? Health discovers if the new Diet Francais really is as easy as un, deux, trois.
Le lowdown
The Frenchwoman diet is not a fad like the Atkins is, but more a lifestyle that you can adopt. After all, the French know everything there is to know about living a balanced life through behaviour and diet. Created by Mireille Guiliano, this diet shows that you can eat fabulous food, slurp on the vino and still look gorgeous, just like French women do. It's all about quality rather than quantity — eating things in moderation and being able to control your appetite means that you can enjoy all your favourite treats.
L'histoire
The French are all about fresh produce and the country collectively screams "je deteste!" when processed foods are mentioned. When hosting dinner parties, the French will hunt down fresh ingredients in local markets, delis and butchers. They also don't serve huge portions, meaning that you savour everything on your plate and give your tastebuds a treat rather than your stomach a bloat. French people love to sit down and take their time over a meal — if you follow this rule, you are less likely to store excess fat or suffer from indigestion. Eating in a relaxed manner also allows you to metabolise food efficiently and not overeat. French women also drink plenty of water, insuring healthy liver, kidneys and metabolism.
Big ouis
The most important thing is to have a varied, balanced diet, incorporating all the food groups. Here are the rules you should remember in your diet:
- Make sure your protein portion size isn't larger than a pack of cards and is balanced with salad or vegetables.
- Eat lots of unprocessed meat, fish and poultry.
- Use olive oil rather than artery-clogging hydrogenated cooking oils.
- Red wine is packed with anti-oxidants but don't exceed one or two glasses a day.
- Have plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Share desserts rather than having one to yourself.
- Cheese is allowed but just have a small portion and avoid processed types.
Big nons
With this diet, it's pretty obvious which foods to avoid but here's the real no-no list:
- Processed snack food like chips and bars — try yogurt or a piece of fruit instead.
- Sugary drinks and frappuccinos — contain too many calories and fat.
- Fast food and frozen meals — these are packed with preservatives.
Belle bits
There are so many reasons to follow this diet. Here are a few:
- It's more a way of living than a strict diet that makes you miserable.
- There's no deprivation or counting the calories involved
- The diet is realistic and accepts that you might lapse one night and gorge yourself — but it states that if this happens, simply cut down on your next meal.
- The diet is full of wholesome, different food.
- It encourages you to make mealtimes an integral part of life, something that you enjoy rather than endure.
Tasty trappes
There are, however a few cons:
- Because of the need to relax and eat slowly, there's no chance of lunch on the go!
- French food can be fairly rich so initially, your digestive system might take a little while to adjust.
- Really high quality ingredients cost more money and it's not so easy to find beautiful produce as on the market streets of France.
- Trips to separate shops such as the butchers, the deli and the bakers take up more time.
Va-va-verdict
We say "ooh la la!" to this great way of eating and living. Eating should be a pleasure rather than a chore, and following the Frenchwoman diet not only encourages a great relationship between you and food but also supports small businesses rather than the lacking-in-quality supermarkets. We give it 9/10.
To discover more about the French diet, visit www.modeldietplan.com.
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