I've been fascinated by how French culture is conducive to a healthy lifestyle and body. There are many aspects, including mindful slow eating, whole foods, eating everything in moderation, but this article really opened my eyes to why French women are slim.
The people on this subreddit could eyeball the calories of each woman on a typical day to be <1500 calories. These women are not on a diet. This is just how they eat in perpetuity, with maybe a couple bigger meals on the weekends. This really lined up with what I know about my maintenance calories at goal weight… about 1500 a day which gives some room for bigger meals on the weekend. This also reinforces the fact that calorie adjustment should be considered a lifestyle change and not a temporary thing.
One other interesting common habits of the French include intermittent fasting in some way 1 or 2 times a week, either with broth, or tea, or only fruit and veggies for half a day or more, the idea giving the body a chance to "rest" from digesting heavy foods and clear itself out. I haven't done this yet but may give it a try!
by instantpig0101
10 Comments
Daughter of a French woman, and grew up in both places. This article is accurate in some ways. French women do watch what they eat all their lives and practice a lifestyle that is restrictive in the eyes of Americans. Very little fast food (I haven’t eaten it ever, really. Wasn’t a part of my upbringing) and very small portions of rich food (that’s changing a little as American ways seep into things). There’s a strong tradition not to snack but eat real meals (and if they feel they’re putting on weight, they literally stop eating. Fasting is a real thing). There’s also a lot of unhealthy stuff that goes on. A lot of smoking. A lot of drinking. A lot of very mean shop women love to make fun of anyone who is the slightest bit bigger than a size 2. It’s a mean girl society, but everyone accepts it. French people tend to really care about those things. I also want to point out – as someone who once searched and searched for a 32DD bra in Paris – that French women are genetically very narrow.
I’m French and been living in France my whole life and I can guarantee you that it is false. Women do not eat under 1500 calories a day. That’s ridiculous. Of course there is always some exceptions but like most occidental societies, there’s more overweight and obese people in the population each year. In France for instance, 30% of women over 18 are overweight et 18% are obese. You don’t have that by eating less than 1500 each day.
Hi/ overweight French woman here! French people can be obsessed about their weight and the toxic culture of “being skinny”. As a previous poster said, they can definitely use smoking and drinking as a way to replace food binging.
But there are so many stereotypes perpetuated about the “effortlessly thin and chic Parisian woman” that is really just one small part of the culture and negates a slew of other types of women in France. I don’t know who keeps coming out with these books about how French people are, but they’re definitely riding the wave of what other cultures think of us and making a ton of money off of it. I know many overweight French people btw.
OP, I know your post comes from a good sentiment and maybe those tips are helpful to you. But just know that it’s very exaggerated.
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I don’t understand the backlash against this post, and I don’t see anything wrong with what those women are eating. Seems to me they eat moderately and healthily on most days, and occasionally alow themselves a treat like dessert or champagne, which is the kind of eating habits everyone should be striving for.
Bs hahaha tho I have to say here in Western Europe we’re having smaller portions than in the US & less junk foods are available
I read “French Women Don’t Get Fat” in my 20’s and I loved that it’s intuitive, whole, healthy, and portion controlled. I can say that after having 4 kids I still have my 20 year old body, thanks to that book and quitting all antidepressants (:
I am in Annecy France as I type. Can confirm the women are sensational and look amazing in bikinis all over the lake. For an American male I am in heaven
That’s maintenance calories for most women. It’s a lot of food if you eat balanced meals.
I’m in France right now, I think it’s a total fallacy that French women are all skinny. I have been here for a week in Dijon observing what I see on the streets and restaurants. Just like anywhere else about 70% of women over 55 are chunky and weigh 170-200 pounds. There are slimmer versions and also skinny women but they are not on the majority. I’m in this category myself. I walked right though the city during the music festival with about 30 thousand people all pushed into the main streets and no they are not skinny on the majority.
I also observed younger women in the twenties, thirties and forties and about 30% of them are chunky 170-200lbs. So is this weight gain that is creeping into the younger demographic down to people eating burgers and fries macdonalds, KFC and Starbucks massive cookies probably. Which are on every street in France along with the crepe shops. Pancakes loaded with Nutella and other sweet stuff which comprises most student diets. Probably. All I know is I took a good look around and the French women are that skinny in the majority. Of course there are the Chainsmokers/ vapers who smoke like it’s their job to stop themselves from having any cravings to eat, they are also a large part of the demo.