French Women Don't Get Fat

It is true that French women (and men!) don't tend to be as heavy.

How do these Frenchies do it? Here are a few tips:

1) Set the table, set the mood. The French don't typically do fast food (though even that is changing thanks to la vie McDonald's). They dine, and eating and dining are not the same thing. Taking the time to drink coffee from real cups, using cloth napkins and tablecloths no matter how humble the meal, is part of the charm.

2) Eat slowly. This is a tough one for me, especially as a new mom, as I find myself shoveling anything I can get down my throat. Not healthy. Portion your food and savor it in small bites. Better for your digestion and easier to control portions.

3) Sip, nibble, repeat. One of my best girlfriends in Los Angeles is an incredibly elegant woman from Burgundy who, despite twenty years in the States, has yet to develop our gulping patterns. Francoise dines. She sips, she nibbles, she repeats. And I love her enough to wait it out with her at times when I have long since polished off my own dinner. And yes, she is lovely and slim.

4) Liquor is quicker, but wine is fine. A lot of the cocktails and aperitifs in France tend to be wine-based, like a kir or Lillet, rather than being made from the hard-stuff. They don't swill the Grey Goose and Red Bull as a way of "preparing their palates." A lovely glass of something bubbly wakes up your tastebuds, while a glass of red or white with food promotes better digestion. And the French drink in a very different way than most Americans. Wine is served at both lunch and dinner, every day, but the French take a long time over every meal, so that two-hour lunch makes a single glass stretch quite awhile. Much has been made recently of studies that show the health benefits of daily, very moderate wine consumption versus the weekend "binge" model of drinking that dominates our college campuses and Friday happy hours nationwide.

5) Coffee is not dessert itself. I have a friend who works at Starbucks who once told me the zillions of calories to be found in one of those mocha-latte-caramel-whipped-cream-venti-crazyccino things. The French drink espresso or cafe au lait in small portions, that's it. (I adored the lovely little automated coffee machines and café tables at the rest stops along the A4 motorway from Burgundy to Paris.) Ditch the calorie-filled, whipped cream dessert coffees, but take the time to savor the smaller portion you do order. And drink it from a real cup.

French Women Don't Get Fat

It is true that French women (and men!) don’t tend to be as heavy.

How do these Frenchies do it? Here are a few tips:

1) Set the table, set the mood. The French don’t typically do fast food (though even that is changing thanks to la vie McDonald’s). They dine, and eating and dining are not the same thing. Taking the time to drink coffee from real cups, using cloth napkins and tablecloths no matter how humble the meal, is part of the charm.

2) Eat slowly. This is a tough one for me, especially as a new mom, as I find myself shoveling anything I can get down my throat. Not healthy. Portion your food and savor it in small bites. Better for your digestion and easier to control portions.

3) Sip, nibble, repeat. One of my best girlfriends in Los Angeles is an incredibly elegant woman from Burgundy who, despite twenty years in the States, has yet to develop our gulping patterns. Francoise dines. She sips, she nibbles, she repeats. And I love her enough to wait it out with her at times when I have long since polished off my own dinner. And yes, she is lovely and slim.

4) Liquor is quicker, but wine is fine. A lot of the cocktails and aperitifs in France tend to be wine-based, like a kir or Lillet, rather than being made from the hard-stuff. They don’t swill the Grey Goose and Red Bull as a way of “preparing their palates.” A lovely glass of something bubbly wakes up your tastebuds, while a glass of red or white with food promotes better digestion. And the French drink in a very different way than most Americans. Wine is served at both lunch and dinner, every day, but the French take a long time over every meal, so that two-hour lunch makes a single glass stretch quite awhile. Much has been made recently of studies that show the health benefits of daily, very moderate wine consumption versus the weekend “binge” model of drinking that dominates our college campuses and Friday happy hours nationwide.

5) Coffee is not dessert itself. I have a friend who works at Starbucks who once told me the zillions of calories to be found in one of those mocha-latte-caramel-whipped-cream-venti-crazyccino things. The French drink espresso or cafe au lait in small portions, that’s it. (I adored the lovely little automated coffee machines and café tables at the rest stops along the A4 motorway from Burgundy to Paris.) Ditch the calorie-filled, whipped cream dessert coffees, but take the time to savor the smaller portion you do order. And drink it from a real cup.

The Inn at Essex, Burlington, Vermont

A nice cold weather destination for those of us who don't ski, but their families do. This charming inn features culinary classes for every skill level, from basic knife skills to a four day culinary boot camp. This is definitely on my list of to-dos!

Setting An Exquisite New Standard For Burlington Vermont Hotels

Nestled in the panoramic Green Mountains, The Inn at Essex provides gracious hospitality in charming Essex Junction, Vermont. Discover this unique alternative to the typical Burlington Vermont hotels - where stylish charm and rich service are basic ingredients of every stay. Our stylish country accommodations and tasteful amenities combine elegantly with the warmth of a traditional inn. Savor some of the finest gourmet cooking in the country - from customized private dining to culinary demonstrations - prepared by the highly acclaimed New England Culinary Institute. Venture out to explore Burlington attractions - just minutes away - or revel in five distinctive ski resorts. You'll find we're perfectly positioned to enjoy the best of both worlds. Truly a gem among Vermont resorts, our AAA four - diamond hotel offers personalized service and luxury in a quaint setting.

For more information, visit: http://vtculinaryresort.com/

The Inn at Essex, Burlington, Vermont

A nice cold weather destination for those of us who don’t ski, but their families do. This charming inn features culinary classes for every skill level, from basic knife skills to a four day culinary boot camp. This is definitely on my list of to-dos!

Setting An Exquisite New Standard For Burlington Vermont Hotels

Nestled in the panoramic Green Mountains, The Inn at Essex provides gracious hospitality in charming Essex Junction, Vermont. Discover this unique alternative to the typical Burlington Vermont hotels - where stylish charm and rich service are basic ingredients of every stay. Our stylish country accommodations and tasteful amenities combine elegantly with the warmth of a traditional inn. Savor some of the finest gourmet cooking in the country - from customized private dining to culinary demonstrations - prepared by the highly acclaimed New England Culinary Institute. Venture out to explore Burlington attractions - just minutes away - or revel in five distinctive ski resorts. You’ll find we’re perfectly positioned to enjoy the best of both worlds. Truly a gem among Vermont resorts, our AAA four - diamond hotel offers personalized service and luxury in a quaint setting.

For more information, visit: http://vtculinaryresort.com/