Book summary

The French author spent time in the states as a student and returned home chubby for the first time in her life, but she rapidly returned to normal by readopting French eating habits. In this memoir-like volume, she talks about her own life, but mostly about the secrets of staying slim à la française. The key is smaller portions, but her emphasis is on enjoyment of food--not wolfing down a meal for the sake of staying alive, but actively engaging with every bite, sitting down for meals, eating with friends and family. She also understands the importance of treats on special occasions and appreciating the joys of fresh fruits and vegetables rather than fast food, snacks, and sweets.

Media reviews

"[A] welcome reprieve from the scores of diet books out there; there's nary a mention of calories, anaerobic energy, glycemic index or any of the other hallmarks of the genre....(Guiliano's] book, with its amusing asides about her life and work, occasional lapses into French and inspiring recipes...,is a stirring reminder of the importance of joie de vivre."