Courtney Z. reviewed French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating For Pleasure on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 19
I read this book and try as I might to implement it in my life, it's just was not really feasible. And that's where the book fails for me as an American reader.
Let's face it, most of us don't live in communities where we can walk everywhere we need to go. Most of us do not have a farmer's market within walking distance that is open every day. Most of us do not have the kind of life-style that is conducive to home-cooking a hot meal for lunch, and most of us are not in a position to take an hour to eat any meal. American and French cultures are different, so our eating habits are different.
That being said, there are many great take-aways from this book that even the most American reader can try to implement. Most importantly this book exhorts us to love ourselves enough to respect our bodies by giving them just enough of what they need, but never too much. By allowing ourselves to eat REAL food and really enjoy it. By loving our bodies enough to give them fresh air and exercise. And by giving us permission to enjoy food, and everything else in life, just the way gramma told us to "in moderation".
Let's face it, most of us don't live in communities where we can walk everywhere we need to go. Most of us do not have a farmer's market within walking distance that is open every day. Most of us do not have the kind of life-style that is conducive to home-cooking a hot meal for lunch, and most of us are not in a position to take an hour to eat any meal. American and French cultures are different, so our eating habits are different.
That being said, there are many great take-aways from this book that even the most American reader can try to implement. Most importantly this book exhorts us to love ourselves enough to respect our bodies by giving them just enough of what they need, but never too much. By allowing ourselves to eat REAL food and really enjoy it. By loving our bodies enough to give them fresh air and exercise. And by giving us permission to enjoy food, and everything else in life, just the way gramma told us to "in moderation".
Michele (luluinphilly) -
Helpful Score: 15
Proof positive that "American" food makes you fat! Ms. Guiliano came to America during her college days and gained 50 pounds. Her father was shocked when she returned to France because she had gotten so chubby. The reason why you don't see fat Europeans? Because they MAKE their food and use FRESH ingredients! Plus, their refrigerators are the size of a box. Interesting read with common sense tips.
Lori S. (Dreamwords) reviewed French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating For Pleasure on + 50 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 15
Absolutely love this book! I let it sit on my shelf for six months. I guess the title made me a little defensive, yet it intrigued me enough to order the book. Finally, bored with nothing to read, I picked up the book, and couldn't put it back down.
It just makes sense. Eat healthy, whole foods. Eat chocolate. Drink wine. But do everything in moderation.
It just makes sense. Eat healthy, whole foods. Eat chocolate. Drink wine. But do everything in moderation.
Janis K. (scrapbooklady) reviewed French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating For Pleasure on + 472 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
A French woman for all seasons I like better as it is in my kitchen and I cook from it. Her dark chocolate cake is so rich! (careful!) This one is not bad. Her taste tend to be on the expensive side but we are eating better cuts of beef, fish, chicken and pork. My grocery bill is a bit higher but looking at all the junk people throw into their carts, we eat better than most...Walking for an hour or a 30 min workout is good as well.
Lynne L. (homescoolmom) reviewed French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating For Pleasure on + 34 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Combining anecdotes with recipes and lifestyle tips, French Women Don't Get Fat instructs American women that we can in fact enjoy our food while staying slim. Food is not the enemy! A hopeful book.
