eat like a french woman

My main dietary problems are binging on crappy food, and guilt. When I’m guilty I will switch to super healthy stuff, or eat less than enough to satisfy, leading to another binge. It’s a vicious cycle.

So, after a bit of reading around on the French Paradox, I thought I would try it out. I went to France for three months when I was 15, and despite eating far richer and ‘naughtier’ foods than I ever ate in Australia (e.g. brie, croissants, non-lean meat), I only gained a little bit of weight. I think the people I stayed with generally ate a bit worse than the average French family, but if I ate a similar diet but, for example, fruit salad instead of a second croissant with Nutella for afternoon tea, it would be ideal. I’m now vegetarian, so that provides further opportunity for improvement on their diet.

Today I went shopping and bought some small croissants, camembert, eggs, haloumi, Lindt dark orange chocolate, creamy berry yogurt (I always bought high-sugar ‘diet’ yogurt before), and good quality wholemeal bread. I also made a batch of fresh fruit salad for snacking. I already have pasta and tomato sauce, plus tofu for Asian cooking. I want to focus on making smaller meals that I enjoy, rather than chosing certain foods out of a sense of obligation.

This is very important…

b-b-b-ut i love food toooooo much

im not fat, therefore im not motivated

I think I’ve got it down now—lots of fresh, natural foods and nothing artificial, small portions and not hurrying at mealtimes. Yum :)

for the longest time i have been doing this thing where i only eat the same one-to-three things for around a month.
it’s really strange-i know- but i don’t really do it consciously; i just fall inlove with what i’m eating and let/make myself enjoy it for a long time. when i think about eating something else that doesn’t really appeal to me.

after i detoxing my body, i’m planning on having peanut butter, italian or french bread and cheese.

and i really like eating slowly and taking the time to enjoy the taste and experience of what i’m eating.

i just wish it didn’t bother most everyone around me.

Yesterday I went to Trader Joe’s and got a bottle of cheapo Charles Shaw merlot (really good), some whole-grain artisan bread, some whole milk (for my French roast coffee), romaine lettuce, really fresh, sweet tomatoes, crisp Fuji apples, mineral water, a bag of teeny, superfresh lemons, croissants, their brand of Greek yogurt, itty bitty red potatoes and some lovely dark chocolate triangles. Mmm. I already had some cheese, salmon and chicken sausages at home so I didn’t have to buy any of that. I definitely plan to eat this way forever, it tastes so much better and is actually cheaper than what I was buying before. I’m watching my portions and also exercising so hopefully I’ll be able to lose weight this way. Yay!

I feel accomplished enough in this goal to say I’ve completed it. Definitely worth it; teaches you to control your portions and appreciate good food.

I went out to eat at an Italian restaurant today. Before, I always ended up overeating at outings such as this. But this time, I had a little bit of everything, and really enjoyed what I did have. I neither felt hungry nor overly full. And I even had asparagus and salad! I’m very pleased.

I am making an effort. I am eating less in general, eating more fruits and vegetables, and drinking more water. I do feel better, and when I eat a large amount of something unhealthy, I compensate later one.

I think what I mean by this goal is to eat what I like, only what I like, and only when I am actually hungry. I’ve been catching on to this lately and lowering the food I eat.