If you are tempted to follow fad diets, I would definitely recommend French Women Don’t Get Fat, written by Mireille Guiliano.

This book contains the simple strategies and tricks French women use to keep their figure for a lifetime. Sprinkled throughout are a number of good recipes and tips.

Mireille is a Frenchwoman who came to America as an exchange student. During that time she acquired a wonderful American trait—obesity. When she returned to France, she was reintroduced to the classic principles of French gastronomy by “Dr. Miracle.” They worked so well for her that she has never had a problem with being fat again, even though she lives in New York for half of each year.
Some of the tips are painfully obvious, but worth repeating:

*   Eat smaller portions.
*   Eat more vegetables.
*   Eat more fruit.
*   Don’t eat “fat-free” or “sugar-free” fake foods. Go for the real thing in moderation. (Remember those horrible Snackwell cookies from the ’90’s? Oh, I shudder at the memory!)
*   Enjoy real chocolate—not the watered-down, sugared-up kind that Americans call “chocolate.”
*   Don’t snack all the time.
*   Don’t let yourself become overly hungry.
*   Never eat standing up, on the run, and especially not in front of the TV.
*   Never eat til you feel stuffed.
*   Eat what’s in season.
*   Drink water all day long.
*   Walk everywhere you can.
*   Take the stairs whenever possible.
*   Don’t diet.
Overall, I thought the book had some excellent ideas and encouragement for those who struggle with their weight. The emphasis should be more on health than the number on the scale.

As for the recipes, the desserts seemed very tasty without being insanely sugary. I’d also like to try some of the chicken recipes from French Women Don’t Get Fat soon.

Do you like French food?