Why the French Don’t Diet (and What We Can Learn From Them)

Have you ever noticed how the French are known to enjoy buttery croissants, creamy cheeses, and wine without falling into the trap of diet culture? This is known as the “French Paradox,” and many researches in nutrition science have been fascinated by it because despite eating rich, non-diet foods, the French maintain better overall health and a more relaxed relationship with eating.
However, for those of us in the intuitive eating space, there is nothing paradoxical going on. The secret of the French lies in rejecting diet culture, and enjoying a healthy mindset when it comes to food, one that aligns with intuitive eating.
By exploring the French approach to food, we can learn valuable lessons on nourishment, satisfaction, and balance.

What Is “the French Paradox?”

The “French Paradox” refers to the fact that, even though typical French diet includes regular consumption of bread, cheese, pastries and wine, the French have lower rates of heart disease and obesity compared to other Western countries (especially USA).
While it has been speculated that this is due to their red wine consumption, the reality is more complex. Or more simple – if we embrace intuitive eating.

Their overall lifestyle and cultural approach to food play a significant role. Instead of focusing on restriction or counting calories and choosing diet or low fat/low carb foods, they understand that food is also about pleasure, quality, and mindful eating.

The French Approach to Eating: Intuitive Eating

The way the French approach food naturally embodies intuitive eating. Unlike other places where diet culture defines the way people deal with food, labeling foods as “good” or “bad,” the French embrace food as a source of pleasure and nourishment.

Here’s how their habits align with intuitive eating principles:

Pleasure and Satisfaction: Food is meant to be enjoyed. Eating is a pleasurable experience, not just fuel. Choosing the food isn’t centered around calories, but pleasure; taste, texture, connection, joy.
Food Neutrality: Cheese, bread, and desserts are enjoyed without guilt. Food is not categorized into rigid rules. Croissants aren’t “bad,” they’re just food to be enjoyed. As I often mention, when food is allowed, it stops being “special,” and the urge to overeat disappears. If you know you get to enjoy croissant every day, you can eat one, love it, and move on, instead of berating yourself for wanting it, trying to “resist,” then inevitably eat it, and eat 3 more while feeling guilty and promising that the new diet starts tomorrow.
Regular, Enjoyable Meals: Instead of constant snacking or meal-skipping, the French tend to eat balanced, filling meals regularly. When you leave the table satisfied, you can focus on other things in life, and food becomes delicious nourishment instead of being a source of stress and obesssion.
Mindful Eating Habits: Meals are usually eaten slowly, with attention to flavors, textures, and fullness cues. Again, the way French eat is centered around pleasure, and mindfulness enhances the pleasure we get from food. When we’re enjoying wine and cheese, truly tasting it, while surrounded by our loved one having a fun conversation, we leave the table satisfied.

Rejecting the Diet Mentality: Why the French Don’t Diet

One of the most biggest differences between French eating culture and diet-focused cultures is the rejection of diets. Fad diets and food restrictions are far less common in France compared to countries like the United States. After all, what’s the point of being French is you can’t enjoy croissants and cheese!
Instead of following external food rules, the French trust their bodies and eat in a way that feels natural and satisfying. They, just like all intuitive eaters, feel relaxed around food, knowing they can enjoy some cheese, stop when they’re satisfied and have more later, if they wish.

This is aligned with intuitive eating principles, particularly the rejection of diet mentality and the focus on honoring hunger and fullness. Rather than fixating on calories or cutting out food groups, they focus on what truly matters: balance, satisfaction, and joy.
And yet, they have lower rates of conorary heart disease. It’s almost like rejecting diets, honoring your body, and eating in a satisfying, pleasurable way is the healthiest way to be 🙂

Other Lifestyle Factors That Contribute to French Health

Aside from their food choices and the relaxed relationship they have with food, several other lifestyle factors contribute to the well-being often observed in French culture:

Movement as a Way of Life: Walking is a natural part of daily life. Instead of structured, rigid workouts in the gym solely for weight loss, movement is just a part of their routines—walking to the market, strolling through town, or biking to work. This perfectly aligns with joyful movement!
Social Connection: Meals are often enjoyed with family or friends, which nurtures a healthy relationship with food, and a pleasurable eating experience. It’s much easier to truly enjoy your meal when paired with a fun conversation!
Quality Over Quantity: The French emphasize fresh ingredients, often getting their food from local farmers market, and then taking the time to prepare and enjoy flavorful, rich meals. Naturally, sometimes life happens (even in France) and convenience foods or girl dinners are definitely still a part of their lifestyle!

What Can You Learn From the French: Embracing French-Inspired Intuitive Eating Mindset

The French approach to eating teaches valuable lessons about embracing food freedom and intuitive eating. Here are some takeaways:

Prioritize pleasure and satisfaction in your meals, rejecting diets and guilt. Enjoy the flavors, textures, and aromas of food—remember, this will help you feel satisfied after your meals, allowing you to focus on other, more important things in life.
Eat mindfully by slowing down, paying attention to hunger and fullness cues, and fully engaging in the experience of eating. When you allow yourself to eat all foods, and then eat them with intention, truly tasting them, you’ll enjoy your eating experiences much more, I promise!
Move away from food obsession by focusing on nourishment and joy rather than restriction. You need to eat enough, and to feel relaxed and peaceful around food, you simply must allow yourself to enjoy all the foods. Know that all foods fit into a healthy, happy life!
Embrace variety and balance instead of extremes. Enjoying a croissant doesn’t mean “cheating” – it’s simply part of a well-rounded, fulfilling eating world. Eating should be simple and pleasurable.

Conclusion

“The French Paradox” isn’t paradoxical at all. There are no magic foods or hidden secrets. It’s about a cultural mindset that encourages joy, balance, and trust in one’s body.
When you move away from restrictive dieting and embracing an intuitive, pleasurable approach to eating, you can develop a healthier and more sustainable, and more relaxed relationship with food.
Then you can embrace the fact that food is meant to be enjoyed, and when you truly allow yourself that freedom, we naturally find balance and well-being.

Here are some articles that will inspire you on your journey to eating like a French lady:

Work With Me To Eat Like A French Lady

If you’re tired of feeling stuck and ready to build a healthier, more peaceful relationship with food, I’d love to work with you, so you can have the same experience as my client who said, “Working with Nina was life changing! She brings so much knowledge, empathy, support and positive energy into every coaching session.“

Book a free discovery call today, and let’s see how intuitive eating coaching can help you feel more at home in your body—no more diets, guilt, or stress. Just enjoying croissants and coffee, like a Parisian.

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Nina Kaufmann