The French Don't Diet Plan: 10 Simple Steps to Stay Thin for Life

by William Clower

The most delicious and decadent way to lose weight, lower cholesterol, and increase energy.Wouldn’t you rather savor a buttery croissant instead of inhaling an artificially flavored diet shake? Isn’t taking a relaxing stroll preferable to pounding out early morning miles on the treadmill? The French live this way, yet stay thin and healthy. Now, with The French Don’t Diet Plan, you can, too! In his groundbreaking book, The Fat Fallacy, Dr. Will Clower was the first to present a theory of how the French maintain low obesity and heart disease rates despite their seemingly “unhealthy” lifestyle. Dr. Clower learned that the French don’t worry about dieting but rather are more concerned with how they eat. That means paying attention to the taste, pacing, and enjoyment of meals, instead of counting calories, cutting fat and carbs, or taking guilt trips to the gym. Now, in The French Don’t Diet Plan, Dr. Clower shows how easy it is to incorporate his remarkably effective techniques and the French lifestyle into a busy American day. Dr. Clower has found that natural foods have overwhelmingly been pushed out of the American diet by what he calls “faux foods”: processed, additive-filled convenience products, often marketed as healthy with buzzwords like low fat and low carb. In addition, mealtimes should be a slow, sensual break for the body and mind—not a face-stuffing frenzy while standing up in the kitchen or sitting behind the wheel. As a result of such habits, Dr. Clower says, we are not eating what our bodies need, and we’re eating in a way that is not conducive to proper digestion. Science shows this precise combination of factors causes weight gain. The French approach is about taking the time to enjoy real food without guilt or deprivation. Not only a successful path to becoming thin for life, The French Don’t Diet Plan will help you put joie de vivre back into your relationship with food.• Formerly forbidden foods, welcome back! Learn why butter, cheese, bread, and chocolate are health foods that keep hunger at bay. • Spend more time eating! Discover why you should plan on having seconds and make meals last longer. • Hate to work out? Find out why you don’t have to exercise to lose pounds—and how relaxation can help keep weight off for good. • Now you’re cooking. Enjoy dozens of easy recipes for satisfying comfort foods, from Hot Artichoke-Cheese Dip to Creamy Alfredo Sauce, and Double-Almond Biscotti to Practically Flourless Chocolate Cake.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Food, Diets, France

386 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 11, 2006

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

We'll see about any results. but I've started eating this way and am happier. So weary of obsessing over grams and points and calories and nutrients. This resonates with my ongoing desire to eat real food and avoid gratuitous chemicals. I think he makes good sense, and I would recommend the book to anyone who's getting tired of worrying and obsessing over "what should I eat?"

[Alaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a diet book. It's like every other diet book. I thought the diet itself (although the book says repeatedly that you're not dieting, you very clearly are) seemed reasonable enough but all the words used to justify why this is the one diet you need were kind of obnoxious. Lots of fallacies of logic. Cited the EWG, which is a giant red flag to me. But sure, I'm trying it. LOL

[Amanda Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and read it in one weekend. I've always been fascinated by the French Paradox and culture. They eat smaller portions, walk a lot, drink water and eat real food. I think if we all followed their example, we would not struggle with our weight as much as we do. This is a great book and I'm truly glad I added it to my bookshelf.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same basic comments as The Fat Fallacy. I did especially like his suggestions on ways to develop a new habit of eating more slowly, since I tend to bolt my food and overeat.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was not the best non-fiction I´ve read this year but it has been good enough to give it 5 stars. Very peaceful reading, one-weekend-long type of book. It offers small insights into the French lifestyle, to which I committed mysellf and my whole family. We´ll see how it goes but so far we are very happy with it. The book even incouraged me to go back to France and visit countryside and enjoy the food at its best. Definitely reccommended from me. Not only the book but also the lifestyle. And it is not only about the eating but also about breathing, exercising and some interesting facts about the French people. And don´t worry about its release date. It is a little bit older but with the new technology, ingrediences, and diets its getting more and more useful and better. (Like good old French wine:))

[Kamilya Basyrova · Rating 5 out of 5]

обычно я оцениваю книги по питанию на двойку, ибо они скучны и проповедуют банальные истины. тут тоже все достаточно банально (маленькие порции, есть медленно и наслаждаться, есть натуральные продукты) и вообще книга рассчитана больше на американцев. но она окружена таким ореолом французского шарма, что жутко мотивирует. так и думаешь, что, мол,Париж, французы, тоже хочу быть такой и т.д. так что меня очень даже вдохновило.

[Min · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really tried to love this book. Some of the things mentioned were interesting like the nutritional information about additives and chemicals in food. However, if you truly want to adopt a French lifestyle, especially around food and diet choices, I’d look elsewhere. The recipes were very Americanized and for those who are not accustomed to portion control, the “meal plan” offered in this book may not be very helpful.

[Brenda Paladino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting!

I love this book. I have adopted this “lifestyle” and so far, in about two weeks, I have already lost five pounds. I emphasize “lifestyle” because it truly is not a diet; it’s a way to live.

[Holly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Probably finished? Probably not based in true stats

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent analysis of the effects of eating processed food made almost entirely of chemicals combined with the on-the-go lifestyle of the average American, who skips breakfast while eating vast amounts fast-food and sickeningly sweet “so-called coffee” product. Consuming it all in a fog of appetite brought on by starving and binging. While our French counter-parts make an art of dining on whole rich delicious foods (in abundant moderation) in a social atmosphere. Makes one look at the many gym memberships and exercise equipment bought in haste and then abandoned soon after, while Monsieur et Madame get more out of just daily walking.

While Dr. Clower’s conclusions do not come as much of a surprise, as most of us have known for ages the advantages of European diets, the doctor’s suggestions on how to incorporate French health practices into our lives, are well documented and easy for the non-scientists among us to understand.

A definite recommend to anyone interested in getting off the hamster wheel of diet-binge-weight gain-diet.

[Hazel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting ideas. The author discusses the social context for weight gain, which is not an approach often taken with weight loss plans. He recommends eliminating processed foods (eating natural foods, including rich and decadent ones), moderation, savoring your food, eating at designated meal times, and eating dessert (to stave off in between meal snacking). He was a bit repetitive, and somewhat preachy, but the examination and contrasting of French culture surrounding food and fitness versus that of the mainstream American ideas was fascinating!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Clower presents simple and easy ways to fall in love with food and to keep from abusing it. A follow-up to his last book (?) "The Fat Fallacy" (also fantastic), the last quarter or so of the book is recipes- earthy, good, easy to make, and just plain tasty recipes.

[Chelsie Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply Amazing! Really enjoyed it and found it very helpful. I like to combine the ideas of this book with all I've learned about intuitive eating. When I follow that combination I feel great and it's basically painless- it feels good :)

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting to get some similar information from another American-in-France point of view. Much was repetition, but some things were made crystal clear. It is a firm proponent of moderation instead of lack - a beautiful principle!

[Soňa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Done :-)

Took while but let's say this is not book you should read in one breath, you need to or better said I needed time to read it slower, take time to think about and test ways suggested.

Liked how the book is written with advice easy to understand

[Jenalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the ideas behind this book, and have been trying to eat less "faux" foods and more real foods, and I am seeing a difference! I don't exactly agree with everything Dr. Clower says, but most of it makes a lot of sense.

[alix · Rating 4 out of 5]

i learned that diet products are counterproductive (i'd always suspected as much) and how to make a succulent french onion soup!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it, fast read, easy to follow, engaging and makes you really think about what you are putting into your body.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reasons for staying away from high fructose corn syrup and other nasty things.

[Ewa Krzeminska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's go with the French!!!!

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book. Not so much for the whole thin idea but that so much of what we eat is faux or fake food. This has opened my eyes and I will never touch another fake food item again.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to refocus eating and the bad habits we have learned, and the good ones we've missed out on. Easy read, very helpful. Love the results....

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally a healthy opinion about food.

[Karyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely "food for thought"...and YUMMY food at that ;-)

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learned a few tips and got a couple of great recipes. =)

[Felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of informative tips, i like the best is that it told you don't diet. Also to love your food. Lots of french eating tips too. Overall, this book is not bad to read!