Always wondered how French women, like actresses Eva Green, Marion Cotillard and Audrey Tautou, always look so slender and elegant in their clothes? Discover the French woman’s approach to eating and exercise – and you’ll see why they don’t get fat. If you make these habits part of your lifestyle, you, too, will be able to keep off those extra kilos for good!
Croissants, cheese, chocolate, champagne – nothing’s off-limits if eaten in smaller portions. “It’s okay to have a glass of wine, good bread or a few bites of dessert,” says Mireille Guiliano, author of French Women Don’t Get Fat. “You ca eat a little bit of everything in moderation.”
You don’t see French women eating the same boring sandwich at their desk every day, then craving chocolate an hour later. Mireille says, “Eat the same thing in the same way time and again, and you’ll need more to achieve the same pleasure.”
Yes, that includes breakfast. Mireille says her diet secret is a “magic” breakfast she learnt from her grandmother. A hearty mix of protein and whole grains, she claims it “forces you to chew” and tastes as good as a creamy dessert.
Here’s her Granny’s deliciously healthy (and filling) breakfast recipe:
1 lemon, juiced + 1 tsp flaxseed oil + 1 tsp honey + ½ cup plain low-fat natural yoghurt + 2 tbsps raw oats + 2 tsp walnuts
Combine all the wet ingredients in a small bowl. Crush oats and walnuts using a mortar and pestle. Sprinkle the crunchy topping over the creamy mixture and enjoy!
In Paris, a cappuccino can cost eight times as much as an espresso, so this habit may be motivated by cash as mush as waistline. Either way, skipping the milky cappuccino for a shot with just a dash of milk can save 500 kJ.
RELATED: 5 Foods To Start Your Diet With
As a rule, French women prefer incidental exercise over sweating it out at the gym, so they leave the car at home whenever possible. And not only do they start the day by strolling to the bus or train station before work, they often take a walk in the park at lunchtime as well.
RELATED: Why Walking Is Good For You
We all know fine wine is part of French culture. So for most evening meals – and some lunches – the French will have a small glass that lasts from the moment they sit down to the cheese course. They drink water between sips, which makes them fuller.
Find more tips at FrenchWomenDontGetFat.com
Text: Bauer/Woman’s Day