In her New York Times bestseller, French Women Don't Get Fat (Random House, December 2004, $22.00, hardcover), Mireille Guilano, President & CEO of Champagne company, Cliquot, Inc. details her struggle with weight gain as an exchange student in the U.S. during her youth.  Upon returning to her native France, she found herself unable to shed the weight as she had been "corrupted" by the American way of eating - specifically the attitude of indulgence without regard to consequence when it comes to food.   Ms. Guiliano consulted her family physician (whom she refers to as "Dr. Miracle") who refocused her in the French way of eating and philosophy of balance in life, enabling her to shed the excess weight.  She explains that although French women don’t get fat, they do eat bread and pastry, drink wine, and regularly enjoy three-course meals.  She explains the French attitude towards food to be one of checks and balances, occasional indulgence, but never without a compensation to make up for it.  She stresses the folly of guilt and deprivation with regard to the pleasures of food, but her message is clear - simply eat in moderation, maintain balance in you eating habits, and overweight will not become an issue. In other words, you can have your cake and eat it too, but your indulgences should be thoughtful, planned, and consciously plan to make up for it.  She reveals tricks she uses to fool herself into contentment and avoid overeating, and discusses the how French and American attitudes toward exercise are dramatically different.  

According to French Women Don't Get Fat, French women:

Following the principles and suggestions of this diet plan will undoubtedly improve one's general health, as it promotes choosing and eating healthy foods, drinking plenty of water and moving as much as possible during the course of one's day.  However, given the fast pace of life we Americans share, is it possible to consistently adhere to this plan?  Although inspiring, this program requires that many lifestyle adjustments be made to start down the path to a balanced, thoughtful way of eating.  In our opinion, it does not address emotional eating, (as well as binge eating) prevalent issues in our culture today.  Also, many may find it difficult to simply "move more" during the course of the day, and actually prefer the structure and camaraderie of organized exercise programs.  And why is sweating a bad thing?  Numerous studies have confirmed the benefits of aerobic exercise in maintaining a healthy heart.  Do French women compensate by drinking more red wine instead?