7 French Women Share What They Eat In A Day (2023)

Routines

Author:

Updated on February 19, 2020

Contributing writer

By Rebeca Plantier

Contributing writer

Rebeca Plantier is a journalist and author of French School Lunch, a two-year research project on France’s public school lunch program promoting health and wellbeing in children. She writes about about healthy living, travel, parenting and the French lifestyle—and her work has appeared on various sites, such as Huffington Post, Business Insider, Salon, EatLocalGrown, travel site Matador Network and many others.

Last updated on February 19, 2020

Since I moved to France almost two decades ago, I have written extensively about the French lifestyle, especially those aspects of French culture and daily life that promote well-being on many levels.

I wrote an article about the local French school cafeteria that went viral around the globe. The French found it so incredible that the rest of the world was interested in their school lunches that the national news interviewed me for a story about my article on mindbodygreen (if you speak French have a look here).

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(Video) What French Eat in a day | FULL DAY OF EATING | FRENCH DIET (simple & low carb)

I've also written posts about the "rules" French children and adults follow when it comes to eating (for example sitting down for meals, not snacking, eating whole foods), which have been popular.

But what about your average French woman? What does she eat on the average day? And why do we care?

When you look around a crowd in France—whether you are in a large city or the countryside—you are unlikely to see rampant obesity or even more than a few mildly overweight people. Nor are you likely to see a majority of men or women with ripped muscles, the toned arms of a disciplined athlete, or chiseled bodies.

probiotic+★ ★ ★ ★ ★★ ★ ★ ★ ★(117)

Why? Because in France moderation and pleasure are the mantras of choice, the way they have been raised, and the manner in which they stay healthy and live life in general.

Deprivation, negative feelings toward food, cutting out entire food groups, and eating factory-made products are not the norm.

Most French women don't go to the gym to get ripped; they go because they know it's healthy, they've found an activity they enjoy, and they know they will feel better afterward (and look better in their skinny jeans).

But ask your average Frenchie how often they go to the gym? Once or twice a week at most. And unlikely before work, as most gyms won't offer classes before 9 a.m., so forget a five-day-per-week, 5 a.m. workout session.

Working out once or twice a week might not seem like enough, but French women are on the move constantly, clocking many walking hours and stair climbing a lot in any given week.

Taking a family stroll after lunch on the weekend can be the norm, but it's not even counted as "exercise." Nor is walking the kids to and from school, or going up and down the stairs of a seven-story apartment building with grocery bags in hand.

So, although gym sessions or tennis lessons happen only once or twice a week, the French move their bodies daily! If you happen to live in my neck of the woods, near the French Alps, fitness is second-nature with hiking, cycling, water sports, skiing, and more being part of almost everyone's weekend (and often weekday) life.

Just as with exercise and fitness, French women practice moderation when it comes to food, too.

No food is off limits for most French women (including full-fat dairy, alcohol, sweets, and breads of all kinds); however, being careful about quantities and opportunities for "treats" is how they balance moderation, pleasure, and well-being.

A French woman may pass up the bread basket during lunchtime, but she is unlikely to say no to that coup de champagne and tarte au citron at a weekend dinner party.

It's never about deprivation or absolutes. It's about being smart with choices, quantities, and opportunities. And it's about eating healthy most of the time. Eating French-style is completely sustainable in the long run because you eat a bit of everything, even though the emphasis is on whole foods that come from nature.

It's all well and good to talk on and on about how French women stay slim. But just like the photos of cafeteria food made the point on how children eat at lunchtime here, I've asked my French girlfriends to photograph everything they ate during the course of one day to provide a visual reference.

These are not fancy food items, simply what is eaten by an average French woman on an average day. I asked them to photograph everything including drinks, snacks, and desserts.

Along with the photos, each friend summarized any food guidelines they apply to eating and well-being in general, in order for us to better understand their food choices as well as the lifestyle and cultural undertones.

They included exercise in a given week and how they recuperate from "overdoing" it on special occasions such as holidays, big weekends, and vacations.

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(Video) 14 DIET SECRETS FRENCH WOMEN DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW I How To Lose Weight

1.

Cathy's Day

7 French Women Share What They Eat In A Day (4)

Breakfast

Homemade buckwheat crepe with almond butter, raisins, and a cup of organic vegetable juice.

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Lunch

Fish cooked with tomatoes, onions, ginger, and pepper; basmati rice; fruit salad.

Snack at 5 p.m.

Apple with herbal tea.

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Dinner at 8 p.m.

Homemade veggie soup (carrot, potato, leek, zucchini) and salad of endives, half avocado, olives, sprinkled with pumpkin and flax seeds.

Cathy's health "guidelines"

  • If she wants a sweet ending to dinner she has a few squares of dark chocolate (80 percent).
  • Cheese is normally not on her daily menu but when she has some, it's usually goat cheese.
  • Cathy also drinks up to 1.5 liters of herbal tea and water a day.
  • For exercise she does Pilates once a week and at least two workouts on the weekend; hiking, cycling, skiing, snowshoeing, depending on the season.
  • Work takes her to restaurants often, so when she eats at home she focuses on eating lots of vegetables.
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2.

Delphine's Day

7 French Women Share What They Eat In A Day (5)

Breakfast

Mixed cereal with almond milk, almonds, walnuts, goji berries, and fresh pear, along with herbal tea.

Lunch

Chicken with leeks, rice, cheese, and bread.

(Video) TYPICAL FRENCH MEALS IN A DAY: how French people eat to stay thin. | Edukale

Dinner

Pasta dish with peas, onions, and peppers, and a salad with beets, carrots, and vinaigrette.

Delphine's health "guidelines"

  • Throughout the day Delphine drinks water and herbal teas.
  • On the weekend she may have up to two glasses of wine.
  • She stays away from too much sugar and dairy products.
  • She eats a lot of lentils, chickpeas, quinoa, and foods with omega-3s.
  • When she overdoes it at a dinner party, the next day she drinks a lot of bouillon broth.
  • Her weekly exercise includes Pilates and lower-body toning.

3.

Vanina's Day

7 French Women Share What They Eat In A Day (6)

Breakfast

Large bowl of fresh fruit and yogurt with tea.

Lunch

Salmon with red pepper, cucumber, and avocado salad, followed by cheese and two pieces of fruit.

Dinner

Sausage, green beans, potatoes, cheese, bread, fruit, and applesauce.

Vanina's health "guidelines"

  • Vanina tries to eat light a few nights a week (a bit less quantity, lighter fare) to balance out when she eats at restaurants or larger meals.
  • Her exercise in a week includes walking everywhere, Pilates, tap dancing, and tennis. She skis every winter and golfs a few times a month.

4.

Catherine's Day

7 French Women Share What They Eat In A Day (7)

Breakfast

Pretty typical French breakfast of brioche, butter, honey, and coffee.

Lunch

Steak and green beans. Dessert is one spoonful of chestnut "cream" with coffee.

Snack

Chocolate brioche.

Dinner

This type of light meal is often served in France: a bit of charcuterie, capers, blue cheese, bread, and fruit.

Catherine's health "guidelines"

  • Eats until she is satisfied, never more.
  • Never has seconds (unless she is a guest).
  • For dessert, she has either cheese or a sweet—but not both.
  • Always includes carbs in her meals.
  • She eats moderately at breakfast, makes lunch her main meal, and has a light dinner.
  • Depending on what she eats at lunch, she sometimes skips her afternoon snack.
  • Every day she has a teaspoon of honey, one glass of wine, and bread.
  • On weekend she enjoys a croissant or pain au chocolat.
  • At lunch, she makes sure to include lots of vegetables.

5.

Corinne's Day

7 French Women Share What They Eat In A Day (8)
(Video) what i eat in a day: French Woman Diet

Breakfast

Bread with butter and coffee.

Lunch

Salmon, salad, terrine of zucchini (she makes it herself with zucchini, eggs, milk, spices), and fruit salad for dessert.

Dinner

Generous portion of risotto and vegetable soup.

Corinne health "guidelines"

  • No eating between meals.
  • Exercise every day. Type of exercise varies according to how she feels.
  • Short, daily nap when possible.
  • Same bedtime and wakeup time every day.
  • Regular pampering.
  • Homecooking for the family is key (she is a fan of the Thermomix kitchen robot for easy, fast, healthy meals).

6.

Sophie's Day

7 French Women Share What They Eat In A Day (9)

Breakfast

Baguette campagne (dark bread) with either jam or local honey, coffee, fruit (this day, it was a banana) and sometimes a plain yogurt, too.

Lunch

Chicken breast, rice, roasted veggies, and endive salad. Not pictured is a bowl of Greek yogurt for dessert.

Snack

Usually two pieces of fruit (today it was banana and apple) or one piece of fruit and small handful of nuts.

Dinner

Large bowl of veggie soup, slice of ham, and bread.

Sophie's health "guidelines"

  • A glass or two of wine on weekends only.
  • Some form of exercise daily. Usually, she at least takes a walk after lunch and does more sports on weekends (tennis, swimming).
  • Sweets or desserts a few times a week. She tries not to overdo it in a week, though.
  • Once a week, eats just veggies in the form of salads and soups and gives her body a break from digesting meat, fish, and eggs.
  • Choice of drink is water. On her no-meat days she tries to drink up to 3 liters of water to help "clean out" her insides.
  • Every three months, Sophie gets a massage/facial and takes a day "off" from her family either by herself or with a friend

7.

Christine's Day

7 French Women Share What They Eat In A Day (10)

Breakfast

Bread or crackers with butter, honey, kiwi, and tea.

Lunch

Baked cod, salad with different vegetables, and a spoonful of rice.

Dinner

Vegetable soup, salad, lentil patty, steamed endives, and yogurt.

(Video) Why I Eat Like A French Woman | 7 Weight Loss Secrets

Christine's health "guidelines"

  • Throughout the day she drinks water and green tea.
  • An ex-smoker, Christine takes care not to overdo the treats since she doesn't want to gain weight.
  • Following a celebratory dinner, she goes heavy on the vegetables and fish or chicken.
  • If she's hungry between meals, she has a piece of fruit.
  • She stays away from bread, red meat, and alcohol.
  • For exercise she swims in the lake year-round and does water aerobics up to three times a week, as well as zipping around town on her bike.

FAQs

What a French woman eat in a day? ›

The starter is usually a salad of crudités (raw vegetables) with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and some herbs. Main is often made of cooked vegetables with a portion of fish or meat. Dessert is usually fresh fruit or plain yogurt. Finally, the French love to finish their lunch with an espresso (without milk and sugar).

What is the diet of French women? ›

French women shop daily at local markets for fresh vegetables, fish, meats, fruits, and dairy products. These whole foods are usually grown by local farmers in soil that are naturally rich (what we would call organic food). French women tend not to eat snack food, junk food, or fast food like the way we do.

What do French people eat on a daily basis? ›

Foods that are a staple of the French diet include full-fat cheese and yogurt, butter, bread, fresh fruits and vegetables (often grilled or sautéed), small portions of meat (more often fish or chicken than red meat), wine, and dark chocolate. Make meals a priority.

How many meals do French people eat a day? ›

French eating habits are indeed very singular. "Everyday life in France is marked by three traditional meals," says Thibaut de Saint Pol, a sociologist at the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Cachan. "At 1pm half the population are at table and at 8.15pm this activity concerns more than a third of the population.

What are 5 secrets of the French diet? ›

Eating less is not all the French do well......
  • 2) Enjoy and savour food - eat slowly and sit. ...
  • 3) Meticulous preparation. ...
  • 4) Mealtimes are for eating. ...
  • 5) Good habits start early.
Dec 8, 2014

What do French women use to lose weight? ›

Walking a Way of Life

"French women don't work out; they walk," Guiliano has told WebMD. This daily physical activity is one of the reasons they tend to be thinner. Having a car in any European city is a challenge. As a result, city folks do plenty of walking, and in the country, they walk or ride bicycles.

How much does the average French woman weigh? ›

By country
CountryAverage male weightAverage female weight
Czech Republic92.1 kg (203.0 lb)73.8 kg (162.7 lb)
Estonia84.4 kg (186.1 lb)71.2 kg (157.0 lb)
France77.1 kg (170 lb)62.7 kg (138 lb)
Georgia84.4 kg (186.1 lb)73.6 kg (162.3 lb)
49 more rows

What do French women eat in the morning? ›

Breakfast in France begins with bread, ideally toasted and topped with a dollop of homemade jam. Alongside it, an espresso or cup of black tea makes a perfect complement. A modern and acceptable alternative might be a bowl of cereal, but only if really hungry.

Do the French eat 3 meals a day? ›

Fixed meal times and no snacks

The French have always stuck to three meals a day and generally don't do food outside these set meals. Children usually have a small snack or goûter after school – a piece of fruit or a cake – but this is limited to a specific time, and adults generally don't snack.

How do French eating habits differ from American? ›

Food in France is about smaller, but filling meals of bread, cheese, vegetables, and meat. On the other hand, the American food culture advocates for food comas and buffets. The Parisians consume food with high saturated fat but keep their portions under control.

What is the most common food eaten in France? ›

1. Bread. When you imagine French food, the many different types of bread may come to mind. From baguettes to the various pain graines-céréales options which have a wide variety of grains mixed with different types of seeds.

Do the French eat a lot of eggs? ›

In France, it's generally not scrambled eggs or an omelet like we might eat in the U.S. Eggs are more commonly seen as a non-breakfast meal option for the French. A typical French breakfast tends to be light and on the simpler side. That's because the French eat a heartier meal for lunch — especially on weekends.

Do the French eat a lot of bread? ›

Bread in France: It's a Staple

Most French people eat bread every day. It's not just a cliché, bread in France is a staple and something most people care about. French people take bread very seriously. In some countries bakers add nutritional supplements to their bread, or they add gluten to make the bread rise better.

Do the French eat a lot of vegetables? ›

Vegetable consumption in France is nonetheless low compared with other countries. Only 54.2% of French people eat vegetables every day, compared to 65% on average in the other countries of the OECD.

Do the French eat oatmeal? ›

There will be no cereal in most cafes and restaurants as they generally don't eat cereal as part of their breakfast. And if they do, it might be cornflakes. You also won't see any porridge on the menu because oatmeal porridge is not eaten in France as part of their breakfast.

How do you please a French woman? ›

How To Impress French Women
  1. It's all about the humor. The French, and French women, in particular, are notoriously hard to please – after all, theirs is one of the most beautiful and well-rounded countries on the planet. ...
  2. You'd better be sure of yourself. ...
  3. Show her how to let loose. ...
  4. Speak her language.

Do the French eat yogurt for breakfast? ›

Yogurt and Weight Loss

She says most French women eat one or two yogurts a day, and often enjoy it for breakfast -- especially after an evening of overindulgence, to help balance out the calories.

Why do you lose weight in France? ›

What the French eat. The French tend to eat their largest meal in the middle of the day, rather than late at night, and theoretically could be burning those calories all day long, says Dr. Ben-Arie. “Maybe that makes them less hungry or less likely to snack the rest of the day,” he suggests.

What do French eat for lunch? ›

The traditional French lunch is a light meal, often salads and grilled meats or fish. But there is more to the French lunch than just those two things. The main ingredients in a French lunch are meat, fish, cheese, and salads. In French culture, dinner is the last and most important meal.

Do French women wear skinny jeans? ›

Skinny jeans are not in style in France but the exception to this rule is a simple solid black pair of black skinny jeans which are exclusively worn under knee-high boots (the cut must be skinny so they don't bunch up around the knee). The Anine Bing Jagger jean is perfect for this.

How do French women have such good skin? ›

In general, French women take very good care of their skin, and apply moisturizing cream onto their face and neck morning and night. This routine usually begins during early adolescence, around age 12 or 13. Every French woman has a mineral water spray in her bathroom: it supposedly helps moisturize your skin.

What is the average dress size of a woman in France? ›

What is the average dress size of a French woman? This conclusion was reached by a survey covering nearly 8,000 items. Figures show that 6.4% of French women wear a 36 (8 UK), 14.6% wear a 38 (10 UK), 19.5% wear a 40 (12 UK), 18.5% wear a 42 (14 UK), 14.5% wear a 44 (16 UK) and 9.8% wear a 46 (18 UK).

What is considered a pretty weight? ›

What weight should I be to be attractive? The most attractive faces corresponded to a BMI of about 19 for women and 24 for men. For a woman and man of average height, that translates to body weights of 111 pounds and 165 pounds, respectively.

How tall is the average woman in France? ›

The average person in France is 172.31cm (5 feet 7.83 inches) tall. The average French man is 179.73cm (5 feet 10.76 inches) tall. The average French woman is 164.88cm (5 feet 4.91 inches) tall.

Do the French eat big breakfast? ›

Considering France is well-known for its gastronomy, it may come as a surprise to you that French people typically eat a very simple meal for breakfast. Usually more sweet than savory, le petit déjeuner, as the French say, is not a very big or important meal in France.

Why do French people only eat 1 egg for breakfast? ›

Q: “Why do the French have only one egg for breakfast?" A: “Because one egg is an OEUF” (which sort of sounds like “enough”). That has amused me for as long as I can remember, at least from the age where I was old enough (an OEUF?) to understand that OEUF means “egg” in French.

What do French people actually eat for breakfast? ›

French people typically eat pastries, breads, eggs, and yogurt for breakfast. From croissants and pain au chocolat to omelets and crêpes, these breakfast foods will give you a boost of energy.

Is lunch or dinner bigger in France? ›

French people usually eat a smaller meal for dinner, such as a soup or salad with bread and a dessert (often a yoghurt or a slice of cheese). Considering French people famously don't snack, they must survive a long break between lunch and dinner. The solution is that lunch is the biggest meal of the day.

How many fruits and vegetables should I eat a day in France? ›

France. The French PNNS (Programme national nutrition santé, National nutrition health programme) recommends at least five portions of fruit and/or vegetables per day.

Do the French eat cheese with every meal? ›

French people don't eat cheese at every meal– it's more common during dinner and weekend lunches. You may be offered cheese before dinner at an apéro or if you're at a party where there isn't a formal sit down meal and everyone is grazing.

Why do French eat small portions? ›

Smaller portion sizes allow the French to truly savor their meal to the point of contentment, not gluttony. In fact, eating smaller amounts is greatly associated with increased food appreciation and satiety. There have been many scientific studies, like this one, that link smaller portion sizes and satiety.

What is the French attitude to food? ›

In France, food is seen as a pleasure; there is no guilt attached to enjoying food. No foods are off-limits for the French. Yet everything is consumed in moderation and in smaller portions, sitting down and without rushing.

What American foods do French people like? ›

French people can love American food too!
...
These Are The Best American Foods, According To A French Person
  • Cupcakes. Flickr: evanmischelle. ...
  • Onion rings. ...
  • Corn dogs. ...
  • Deep dish pizza. ...
  • Grits. ...
  • Root beer float. ...
  • Pecan pie. ...
  • Cornbread.
Jul 2, 2016

What are the top 3 foods in France? ›

Top 5 foods in France
  • Cassoulet. One particular dish that gained popularity in southern France is Cassoulet. ...
  • Oeufs en meurette. If you ever find yourself in Burgundy mid-morning then stop off for brunch and try this French version of poached eggs. ...
  • Religieuse au chocolat. ...
  • Baguette au fromage. ...
  • Bouillabaisse.
Jul 22, 2017

What is the most popular dessert in France? ›

CRÈME BRULÉE

Crème brûlée is one of the most popular French desserts of all time, and for good reason. The two contrasting layers of luscious vanilla cream under a layer of crunchy caramelized sugar are a perfect marriage. This dessert stands out from all the rest.

What are the most eaten vegetables in France? ›

Indeed, potatoes are the favorite vegetable of French people.

What do French girls eat for breakfast? ›

Breakfast in France begins with bread, ideally toasted and topped with a dollop of homemade jam. Alongside it, an espresso or cup of black tea makes a perfect complement. A modern and acceptable alternative might be a bowl of cereal, but only if really hungry.

What is the average weight for French woman? ›

The average French woman today is just over 5 feet 3 inches tall and 137.6 pounds, compared to 5 feet 2 1/2 inches tall and 133.6 pounds in 1970.

What do French people like to eat the most? ›

Fruit pastries, fruit jams, and fresh fruit are all big parts of the French diet. For breakfast, it is a common occurrence to have fruit jam with bread or fresh fruits. The fruits that the French consume do depend on what's in season, but fruits like apples, peaches, and bananas are year-round staples.

Do the French eat eggs for lunch? ›

(yuck, more or less) Eggs for breakfast?” The French eat eggs for lunch and dinner only. 1. Whisk together eggs and salt in a large bowl just until they are broken up.

What do French not eat for breakfast? ›

For breakfast foods in France, think bread and jam or a pastry and not eggs, cheese, or meat. In France, it's generally not scrambled eggs or an omelet like we might eat in the U.S. Eggs are more commonly seen as a non-breakfast meal option for the French.

Do the French eat bread everyday? ›

Bread in France: It's a Staple

Most French people eat bread every day. It's not just a cliché, bread in France is a staple and something most people care about. French people take bread very seriously. In some countries bakers add nutritional supplements to their bread, or they add gluten to make the bread rise better.

Do the French eat a lot for breakfast? ›

Do the French eat a lot for breakfast? Usually more sweet than savory, le petit déjeuner, as the French say, is not a very big or important meal in France. In fact, many French people don't eat breakfast at all, waiting until lunch to eat.

How do French girls stay fit? ›

"French women don't work out; they walk," Guiliano has told WebMD. This daily physical activity is one of the reasons they tend to be thinner. Having a car in any European city is a challenge. As a result, city folks do plenty of walking, and in the country, they walk or ride bicycles.

What is the average height of a French girl? ›

The average French woman is 164.88cm (5 feet 4.91 inches) tall.

Do the French eat junk food? ›

France is a country known for its fine dining, fresh produce and the slim waistlines of the locals, but the reality is quite different. Half of French adults are overweight and one in six is obese and it's mostly to do with the fact the nation has been having a not-so-secret love affair with junk food for years.

Do the French snack a lot? ›

French people usually eat a smaller meal for dinner, such as a soup or salad with bread and a dessert (often a yoghurt or a slice of cheese). Considering French people famously don't snack, they must survive a long break between lunch and dinner.

What is the biggest meal of the day in France? ›

Dinner is, for most people in France, the main meal of the day and it is traditional for the family to eat together in the evening – it's not unusual to spend up to 2 hours at the table for this meal.

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