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"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all."
Dale Carnegie
 How French Women Stay Slim (Without Starving)
By Monica Ciociola
We Americans
love to eat. We love our fast food, greasy diners, food courts, all-you-can eat
buffets, and just about anything out-of-the box or on-the-go. Yesterday my
coworker and I needed a little pick-me-up, so we headed across the street to
the our local specialty coffee shop for a delectable treat: an ice-blended
mocha with ground chocolate-covered espresso beans, an extra shot of espresso,
and topped off with whipped cream—yum!
But the gratification that
comes from being able to get exactly what we want exactly when we want it does
have its drawbacks. Consider these facts:
- We're getting
fatter. Over
64 percent of
U.S.
adults are either overweight or obese, up
from 48% in 1980.
- We're
not exercising. Over 60%
of
U.S.
adults are not regularly active and 25%
are not active at all.
- We're
dieting like crazy. About
50 million
U.S.
adults go on diets each year for weight
loss.
The guilt (not to mention
brain freeze) I felt after slurping down that 600-calorie drink before I even got back to my
desk is something I'm sure many people can identify with. But it doesn't have
to be this way.
In her best-selling new
book, French Women Don't Get Fat, Mireille Guiliano examines the
French "traditional" approach to eating and provides us with useful
tips for rethinking our very American "all or nothing" approach. We're
either loading up on super-sized portions or trying to cut out entire food
groups (remember Atkins?).
While Guiliano's account is highly romanticized (the French may have an edge, but their
overweight and obesity rates have also doubled since the 1980s), there are some
things we can learn from the French and from people in other parts of the world,
especially the Mediterranean and Asia, where obesity rates have been historically low. In
these areas, good, healthy eating and fitness have traditionally been
integrated with their lifestyle. Here are a few specific practices we Americans
would do well to follow:
 Start with soup or salad. The Japanese tradition of starting with soup is a
great weight loss trick. Less-calorie-dense foods like soups and salads are
also the most healthful way to fill up so you eat less during your meal.
- Select the highest quality ingredients. The French wouldn't dream of eating processed "diet foods" not found in nature. Instead they feel
it is their God-given right to select only the highest-quality produce, fish,
meat, and dairy. And by only buying what's in season, they add seasonal
excitement to their dishes and maintain a diverse and varied diet all year
long. You'll find that the more fresh and flavorful your food is, the less you'll
need to eat to feel completely sated.
 Don't multitask meals. In most of Europe,
you can't take your food to go. For instance, Italians can get delicious panini sandwiches right at the gas station, but would never deign
to eat and drive at the same time. Instead, they sit down right at the station
and chat with other diners, and the same goes for how they consume their little
cup of morning espresso. By taking the time to focus on what you're eating, you'll
enjoy it more, and more quickly register when you're full.
 Splurge if you want to. The French aren't known to deny themselves dessert and will insist that it be
the richest, most divine ambrosia. Did you know that rich, dark chocolate
actually contains heart-healthy antioxidants, making it a deliciously healthy
(well, somewhat) and satisfying way to cap off your meal? If you go for it,
make it a reasonable size, slowly savor each bite, and don't let yourself feel
guilty about it.
From my own experience, I
agree that Americans can learn from other countries'
approaches to eating. Growing up overweight, I found that the easiest weight I
ever lost was during a summer I spent with relatives on the Mediterranean coast
of
Spain. Each morning, we'd ride our bikes to the market for
fresh bread. Then we'd play at the beach for a few hours before our two-hour
lunch that always began with soup. Finally, we'd have a light dinner before
going out at night. I lost a ton of weight without even trying or noticing.
Unfortunately, playing at
the beach all day and lingering over two-hour meals isn't really an option for
most working Americans. Yet, there are things we can do. While it might be
impossible to visit an open-air market on a daily basis, it is possible to
select the highest-quality, nonprocessed ingredients
during your weekly visits. While it might be difficult to weave fitness into
our daily lives, it is possible to find at least 20 minutes during your day to
pop in a video and Press Play. I'll do the Turbo Jam 20 Minute Workout when I'm
short on time, and I find that getting my heart pumping—even if it's only for
20 minutes—does wonders for my overall health and well-being. And the next
time I need a late afternoon pick-me-up, I'll think about what the French woman
from Guiliano's book might order, and opt for a
delightful cappuccino instead.
Monica Ciociola is the Director of Marketing for
Beachbody.
Back to top.
 The Skinny on Bread
By Monica Ciociola
The low-carb craze may be over, but not without leaving behind a
few positive side-effects. For one thing, it raised our awareness of the
difference between good, unrefined carbs, such as
whole grain breads and cereals, and bad, refined carbs,
such as white bread, muffins, and cookies.
The bread
industry took notice. Faced with dismal sales as Americans swore off refined carbs, bread makers launched a plethora of new products
loaded with fiber, nutrients, and flavor. Not only is it safe to eat bread
again, it's beneficial for your heart and your health.
Generally,
your best bet is any 100% whole grain bread. Some mostly whole grain and lower-carb breads are also good for you. But try to stay away
from any partially whole grain or white breads. Specifically, here's what to
look for:
- High fiber. Most 100% whole grain breads have
around 2 to 3 grams of fiber, which will help women get to their 25-gram-a-day
target and men get to their 38-gram-a-day target.
- "Heart Healthy" claims. Any bread that's at least 51% whole
grain and low in saturated and trans fats and sodium
can make this claim.
- Low sodium. Try to stay under 200 mg of sodium
per slice.
- Vitamins and nutrients. Some breads add extra vitamin D and calcium, which only matters if you feel like you're not
getting enough from other foods and supplements.
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