French women don't get fat....

Audrey · Post by **Audrey** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 10:32 am

Susan asked me about this book...

To tell the truth, I have not read it... I have seen reviews and I know about the concept of the book...

The overall health of French people has been a matter of debate for years. Is is the wine? The smoking? The cheese? I am asked almost weekly!

I can tell you what has worked for me and the habits I have followed all my life. (I will also say that I have never been on a proper diet)

I eat pretty much whatever I want. If I want cake-- I have it! I love milk duds and have them all the time! I eat a large variety of foods in smaller portions.. Instead of having a large helping of lasagna and nothing else I have a smaller slice and more side dishes, ie- vegies and fruits. I ALWAYS have more than one vegetable at each meal. I eat a large variety of them so that I don't get tired of them. Mealtime is an EVENT and not something done with the television on! Even if you are alone, set the table with some pretty china and light a candle. Take your time and enjoy it. Serve a variety of things. Even if you eat a frozen dinner, remove it from the container you cooked it in and arrange it nicely on a plate. NEVER eat any food from it's original container! Portion everything on the plate and do not leave the serving dishes on the table. You eat what is on your plate-- period. Above all remember to make it pretty. No TV no phone calls... Eat as if you are in a nice restaurant.

Water-- water, water, water.... I drink about a gallon of water each day. Always have water on the table when eating and drink some between bites.

Food is a pleasure. It is a wonderful thing to be enjoyed and savored. I do not stress about it or guilt myself about it. Eat what you want and enjoy it. If you want candy-- have it. if you love pasta and potatoes, have them-- just have more veggies than pasta! It really is easy!

Eat a more variety of things and do not have tons of food in the house-- shop for fresh foods more often and only get what you need for 3-4 days.

I do not belong to a health club or exercise at all. I can not imagine it. I do walk a lot. When shopping I park the car and walk from shop to shop and not move the car. I do have to drive to town as we live in the country, but a lot of the time I park at Thayne's office and walk about the downtown area. I have a large shopping satchel and carry all my purchases with me! (It helps save money as you don't want to carry so much!)

Anway... To make a long story short... I think the book is an explanation of sorts-- It can help people begin to think of food differently -- But I think it is hard to change a person's cultural ideas about food and meals. Meal time at my house is sacred. We do not answer the phone or have any type of TV on. We talk, we sit, we remain at the table for at least an hour. We eat slowly and in courses.

The most important thing...

We are at the table to be together and eat-- not eat and be together. We enjoy eachother and the food....

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 9:51 pm

Thanks, Audrey! I haven't read the book yet either, just the reviews and have heard my friend's view of it. You sound like you live your life much like I do, I eat what I want within reason and try to eat healthy. Except I don't think I consume nearly enough veggies, though I do try. Food should appeal to all your senses, it should totally be savored. I guess thats why I enjoy things like Sushi, it appeals to me in so many ways.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 5:32 am

Yes it's most important to eat slowly, smaller quantities, more often. And lots of water.
If you tend to stuff yourself by cleaning your plate, get smaller plates!
Actually, it's not a great idea to drink during eating- either something very hot or very cold. These shock the stomach while it should be calm, digesting.
Also, people nowadays have more reflux and digestive problems, and heartburn. I've found that by not drinking anything while eating and up to and hour or 2 after, these problems can be sigificantly reduced.
I hope you are blessed with a great digestion, Audrey! But, sadly, not everyone is.

Lazy · Post by **Lazy** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 1:03 am

*sigh* I throw up after I eat a lot of the time as I'm allergic to egg, some preservatives and lactose intolerant too (imagine- no chocolate or cheese). I really really like cheese- its the one thing I just cant do without. Sadly most foods do contain traces of these things even if they arent on the ingredients and others are just too good to give up so I spoil myself and then just live with the being sick (it is worth it!). Im lucky though that I just throw up when you hear about some people with nut allergies who can't breathe and end up in hospital...

monarchrn · Post by **monarchrn** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 1:28 am

wow Lazy..i love chocolate, b ut i don't know if i love it that much...lol

Lazy · Post by **Lazy** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 1:35 am

its not so bad- after its all thrown up you dont feel sick any more, you just go back to normal. AND you dont put on the weight from it

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 6:56 am

Hmmm, shall we call Dr. Bowen? He would probably just give you morphine and take you to church.

monarchrn · Post by **monarchrn** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:49 pm

Ok Lazy...if you say so...lol

wintressanna · Post by **wintressanna** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:54 pm

Yeah but throwing up a lot can really mess up your esophaugus

not really worth it in the long run, is it?

monarchrn · Post by **monarchrn** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 1:40 am

wintressanna wrote:Yeah but throwing up a lot can really mess up your esophaugus

not really worth it in the long run, is it?

Yes Lzy...and if the veins in your esophagus begin to bleed, you are looking at some real problems, so I hope you don't do this often...