1. French women are the shortest in Europe. They are very petite. 2. Many of them smoke. I was just in Montreal, it’s the same. 3. American food is highly processed, but the rich people are not fat at all. 4. Costco has the best grass feed cheeses, organic seeds and nuts, Avocado and olive oil, organic eggs, wild salmon and halibut, avocado mayo, organic honey and dates, etc.

The worst part of the food industry in America is that even the natural food like fruit and vegetables are genetically modified to be sweeter and have pesticides and preservatives to last longer and look better, these screw up your hormones and metabolism. It’s extremely hard to eat healthy here. The supermarket is full of corn syrup and aspartame. When I have been in Europe my skin dramatically improves and my stomach disappears. The problem here are all the lobbying and greedy politicians. It’s all about corporate greed. It’s the same with the pharmaceutical, the weapons, education, etc. And the regular citizens are okay with this, they accept it and defend it as if it’s normal. And the advertising on miss information is awful. There’s a big lack of responsibility and accountability in this country.

I’m not American or French but I guess that saying all Americans eat badly and are obese is similar to what you said about Americans thinking French women have eating disorders and smoke. Pretty offensive right. You will also see that richer Americans who have access to better food and can afford it are far slimmer than poorer Americans. I just thought your tone was unnecessarily arrogant rather than educational.

My Grandmother was French - Parisian. She had anorexia most of her life and she passed those eating disorders onto her children. This was also at a time when you couldn't obtain processed foods. Having lived myself for a year in Paris, there was a social stigma to being anything other than skinny. We went into a boutique on one occasion ..... I was 5' tall and under 100lbs ..... The sales person looked me over and said .... "I have some things for you but not for your huge friend". My friend was 5' 8" and 154lbs. It was very normal for the other female doctors to share one croissant between 2 or 3 of us ..... And then nothing else until dinner around 8.00pm. And it is still very common to see cigarettes everwhere. The great positives however, were fresh, great quality food everywhere. Really good portion control. Walking wherever possible. My French Great Aunt taught me the two teaspoon dessert trick ..... And it absolutely works. And by the way, you shouldn't really claim to be "all natural" when you have had a boob job. I am well aware that French women hate to admit to any work being done, and I wouldn't normally call another woman out, but in this instance it is a bit hypocritical.

I’m a 64-year old American and my mother was a pioneer in healthy eating. She didn’t buy anything processed and taught me to only “shop the perimeter” of the supermarket. In American supermarkets, the interiors are filled with processed, junky foods, while the perimeter has only produce (fruits, veggies, nuts), meat/poultry/fish, dairy and bread. We ate only sourdough bread for the simple reason that it’s the only bread made without any sugar. Other American breads tastes like cake, it’s disgusting, they are packed with sugar. Even prepared mayonnaise has sugar in it here, it turns my stomach! Sugar is so unhealthy that it meets the definition for a human toxin, or poison.

I am an American and I cook at home and live a healthy lifestyle. I don’t like it when people form stereotypes about each country . Assuming that ALL Americans eat bad food is wrong !! There are many Americans who eat healthy and work out and live a healthy lifestyle . Also there are heavy set people in France in the country side , not everyone lives in Paris … 🙄🙄🙄

Hello. American here. I fully agree that American food culture is unhealthy and not sustainable. Our portions are too big, produce is extremely expensive and unattainable for those who are making minimum wage, and there's an excess of ultra-processed foods. Obviously, I can't speak on behalf of an entire Nation, but I don't believe I've ever heard anyone claim that Parisians have eating disorders or anything akin to it. Also, plenty of Americans do take health seriously. Unfortunately, it is a privilege to afford/access healthy food. Those in upper-middle-class families and higher incomes don't blink an eye at spending four dollars for an organic avocado, that's simply not feasible for the rest of us. I do understand that we have an obesity health crisis, but a lot of this is generational and due to poverty/food deserts/etc. Remember, the US is not a monolith.

I am 57 and I don’t know a single American that has ever said anything about French women having eating disorders. In fact, I don’t know a single American that has talked about France or French people at all. However, I agree with the eating habits of the French, especially the part of taking the time to enjoy their meals. I like that a lot.

I’ve been to Europe a thousand times. Im American. Ever been to an American gym? We work out much more than Europeans. At 61, 5’4” and weigh 100lbs. Five children. And have been going to gym 6 days a week for 50 yrs. It started when I was 10, doing gymnastics. I haven’t stopped. We aren’t all fat and lazy.

I am American, and my recent two-week trip to Europe was life-changing. The differences in food quality and health regulations were striking. In Paris and other parts of Europe, I didn't see any overweight people, and the food was much healthier compared to the fast food culture in America. It's concerning that in the U.S., unhealthy food is often cheaper than healthy options. This isn't to criticize my country, but it seems driven by factors like money, greed, and lifestyle. The lack of reliable public transport outside major cities also contributes to our sedentary habits. I'm looking forward to traveling to Europe again. It was amazing to see how much they prioritize the well-being of their citizens, unlike in America.

You forgot the stereotype about how the French don’t bathe and smell. Or that you all are hairy and don’t shave ? Maybe you can make a video about that ?

Ive seen plenty of overweight French people. Maybe not so much in Paris, but then NYC you see a lot more younger thinner people too.

And people say Parisians are arrogant.

Not all American’s eat this way.❤

What do I think? I am American and I am slim. I eat healthy and fresh foods. I do not eat 17 meals a day , nor could I. I cannot speak for other Americans, but not all of us eat the fast food that you show in your video. I do not buy processed cheese. I do not eat sugary foods , hardly ever. I do however, swim regularly. I find your views to be somewhat arrogant. Being thin and healthy is a lifestyle and not just French, right? I recently watched a KZfaq video on Italian women, never get fat. Dear God are you kidding me? I grew up in USA with Italians who were fat. We get non gmo foods here , which I do not agree with. ( not the public's fault either). Maybe stop putting down American's? It is not a nice look.

I have enjoyed your content in the past and lived in Europe (Rome) for 18 years, staying in Paris often. I found this video to be very stereotypical, not only about women in the US but about women in Paris as well. US women are not all fat and eating unhealthy foods, snacking all day long and drinking cola. Parisian women are not all slim and eating no sugar. I don’t feel-on both sides-it is necessary to stereotype and put down another culture in order to uplift our own.

I am not American by birth, in fact I am a Doctor who lives and work in the USA. Meaning I see a lot of people; really, your assumption of Americans when it comes to food is wrong. I see patients also in Paris. I find the healthiest people to be in the USA as well. In France, there is a lot of "skinny fat people": believe me. Please look the term up. I am in a better place to know than you are and I can say that with confidence. I admit that there is a group of people, unfortunately; who eats very poorly in the USA. It exists in every state, actually in every country; it usually includes the low income. They do so due to lack of resources and education. Putting everything under one umbrella is prejudicial. I also find the way you talk about Americans to be condescending. If people have such an aversion for the Americans, why do you all want to come to the USA? Including me! Living also in France concurrently, I see a lot of overweight people in Paris, let alone the other arrondissements. Also, with the copycat phenomenon in France, I see fast food restaurants unfortunately sprouting everywhere in Paris. It's a matter of time before the current generation and that to come start blowing up. There is a way to make comparisons without trashing the other culture or judging harshly. After living here 10 years, I have not heard one good thing you had to say about the USA; (when you lived here, were you forced to eat? Shopping only at healthy food stores, why did you gain 20 Kg? Where is your willpower? ) The USA happens to be a great country. I am glad that I am writing this on Memorial Day weekend 2024; which gives me an opportunity to express my gratitude to this land of generosity who serves as big brother to all countries in the world without been pressured or asked! BTW: I am not advocating for obesity, au contraire; I am probably in the top 10 % tier in terms of shape. I work out and eat exceptionally well, was in many beauty pageants and I teach others through my profession to do the same, in France as well. Your tone set the precedent for your content; you might want to think about that for future videos!

“I don’t eat sugar…I just eat a little plate of desserts when I’m craving sugar. I don’t drink coffee…I just have one coffee in the morning…?” Maybe there’s something missing in translation…

I was slim until i reached my 50's and constantly received compliments on my shape. Talk to me when you reach menopause and your body changes and/or you have to start taking medications.

I’m American and have lived in France & traveled extensively, currently living in the US. While the US and Europe in general are very different in how we think about food in particular and lifestyle, some of these things you’re saying about America are just not true. I will 100% give you the fact that sugar is in everything and we have a lot of processed food, that’s accurate. But there is also access to fresh, real food. The real fresh food, however, is generally more expensive than processed crap. Given that you mentioned, you’ve lived in the US, I’m guessing that you have experienced that. At least when I was living in Europe, I found that the real, fresh food was more affordable than the processed junk food. Not sure if that’s still the case, maybe you could tell us. Now, do I believe that it meets the standards of the food quality in most of Europe? In my opinion, no, it does not. But we don’t all sit around eating burgers and fast food all the time. More than we should yes but all of the time no. And I do not know where this notion of Americans sitting around eating 17 meals is coming from. Frankly, that’s just BS that some guy on the Internet decided he was going to spout because it got him views. As far as people believing French women have eating disorders, people here are obsessed with French women’s diets. I can guarantee you that the number of people who believe French women have some sort of eating disorder is very low. I have no issue with you bringing up the shortcomings of America; all countries, America and France alike, have pros and cons. But at least be accurate and fair with your information.

Americans do not consider pizza and quesadillas healthy lol. What is this girl talking about ?

I enjoy your perfume reviews so this video came up in my feed. I’ve put on an embarrassing amount of weight since lockdown in 2020 because of loneliness and depression. There is something you are missing about Americans and our body weight. We are bombarded with media to over-consume, and not just food, material goods as well. Many Americans, particularly women, are suffering, depressed, feeling empty. We fill that void with all sorts of addictions including food, particularly unhealthy food which is cheap and readily available here. Most of us actually know what to eat and what not to eat. When you include images of women eating fried food and pizza in your videos, just remember you do not know what that person is going through. You are a beautiful woman and you have a platform to set a positive example, but try not to judge others. My mother always told me, pretty is as pretty does. ❤

I live in Canada, but I am Polish. Stereotypes work both ways. I cook from scratch and know lots of Canadian who cook at home and eat really healthy.

I’m American and agree with a lot of this. However, that “cheese” that she showed is fake cheese. It says cheese good on the package. We do have regular good cheeses here in America without all of the junk in them. If you gained weight in the US, it’s because you weren’t eating healthy and/or exercising. Don’t blame the food. You had a choice of what to eat and how much exercise you did.

I lived in France for a year in high school (many decades ago) and I just came back from a trip to Paris. I agree with you. France has real foods. But one thing that shocked me in Paris was how many people still smoke (cigarettes and vaping).

I am American, and fortunately I live right next to a Sprouts Farmers Market. It is a nice store, pretty similar to Whole Foods.

I live in Canada, my mother and grand parents are FRENCH, I think we need to stop judging people because of their SIZE. people are people no matter their size. If you want to be slim that is your choice. Some of us eat well and because of medical complications (for me cancer) we are over weight and should not be judged for our size. Please stop saying all Americans are the same!!!

I never like being skinny, even when I was skinny. I took weight-on to gain wait. I like having hips and butt, not bones, I had those,. Now I am not fat, but I could lose a few pound. So not everyone wants to be like Popeye and his girl friend Olive Oyl or like Twiggy. A skinny body is not for everybody., but we all should strive for a healthy body. Thank you very much!

As a French woman particularly from Paris, I always struggle to explain to my American friends that my lifestyle prevents me from gaining weight. It’s just innate. We eat well and even when we splurge on a meal we always re-balance the next days but we are not depriving ourselves. We just eat well, walk a lot and love clothes so we tend to want to be able to wear whatever we like 😂

I'm 62 year old american woman. 5' 7", 125 lbs. I was raised by Italian immigrants. No, we don't eat pasta and pizza every day. we eat real food, not processed, we don't snack all day. Yes we do eat cheese and eggs and alot of vegetables and fruits and nuts and fish. We cook at home most of the time. As my grandmaother said and I agree "American food (meaning processed food) is garbage." We walk alot after meals. Easy to be slim with this lifestyle. Thank you for your content.

Hello Alice, Whether we are French or American we can all choose to eat healthier and exercise more. In past generations we didn't understand the impact of processed foods and a sedentary lifestyle but we have so much good research to draw from and so many sources of updated information today. I believe that more and more Americans are making better choices and markets are accommodating those needs with much healthier foods and with a more diversified offering of exercise options. Unfortunately people who don't want to make the effort will find fault with others and creat false senarios for their success. Try not to focus on those comments and live your Healthy Life to the fullest!

Obviously French women have a very high opinion of themselves. There are a lot of American beauties.

Thank you for the stern, tough love talk, Alice. I hope that the ones who need to hear it will learn something from it. My parents were Italian immigrants who came to America in the mid 1960s. Their diet, and the diet that they fed their children, was very similar to the French diet. My mother was a fabulous cook, but she also loved fashion and beauty. She watched her figure and always looked svelt and fabulous. Even after one year of fighting cancer, to which she ultimately succumbed, she never stopped taking care of herself. She possessed a tremendous amount of will and dignity. Both my parents taught me to eat well and live well (it absolutely does not mean you need to be wealthy for either), and they explicitly stressed that keeping my figure was very important - from a health and aesthetic perspective. These days, this would be construed as abuse, but it was sage advice, in my humble opinion. And while I didn't listen to everything they said, this one thing stuck with me. Today, I am 56 years old. I am a size FR 34. I do not take blood thinners or any type of medication - nor does my husband. My children are lean, vigorous and healthy. I cook meals every day for my family and I also work to support my family (yes, it can be done!). Some of my most cherished moments are when we sit around the dinner table as a family. I have been accused of taking drugs (for being thin) and have generally been despised or envied at times for my appearance. The truth is that staying slim, particularly through menopause, is challenging and requires more sacrifices than when I was younger, but for me if I cannot have the best quality of life (of which my health is #1 on the list), then my life is not worth living. I derive a lot of joy from feeling healthy and looking elegant. So the sacrifices are worth it to me. My dream is to live one day - even part time - in France or Italy. Abundant fresh fruits and vegetables are very hard to come by here. If you go to the farmer's market in my town, they mostly sell baked, sugary goods, canned items like jams, awful t-shirt and earrings and other horrible knick-knacks. It is an absolute travesty and disgrace. I wish you all the best and keep up the great work. I appreciate your frankness and sharing your beautiful culture with the rest of us. 💝

Hello, as a Canadian we have a lot of processed foods here too, USA is a strong trading partner and neighbour. But, for the most part we have very different eating habits compared to our neighbours to the south, especially our portion sizes. Last summer we were in Paris, the patios were full of French smokers, it really affected me, as I have terrible allergies to cigarette smoke; it became a place I had to avoid sitting. In Vancouver smoking near restaurants is banned, as well as at city parks. It’s great!

I love your honesty. Of course some American women live very healthily but this is about the overall culture. In general, I think that people here in Europe have a better understanding on what is real food and what is fake food. The ultra-processing is the problem, not necessarily the small treats from real ingredients if eaten rarely.

“Based on the figures collected by the Odoxa polling institute, this study reveals the extent of the problem in highlighting that 47.3% of French adults are obese or overweight”

Okay I have to admit that this video is way better than I thought. Not that I agree with everything, but the overall message that having a healthy lifestyle in general, walking a lot. Moving your body multiple times a day, cooking your own meals with fresh ingredients, I’m 100% behind that. I’m a French Canadian living in a part of California where I really don’t see a ton of obese people. Bur the fact is that here, most people are highly educated, they traveled a lot and had lived in different countries. The typical American doesn’t know how to cook at all, they eat out of boxes and yes they do snack a ton. I grew up seeing my mom growing a garden and cooking every single meal from scratch. Even if I live in the US now, I still cook using fresh ingredients and I didn’t gain any weight. If something, I lost some more because the weather is so nice, that I’m outside a lot and walk more ( yes I live in a very walkable city in the US). One thing I have to add is that many people should see the reality of their own unhealthy lifestyle. It’s not because of the quality of the foods if you don’t lose weight or if you are obese, it’s because you eat way too much and you don’t move your body enough! Actually last time I went to Paris, I gained weight! Why? Just because I wanted ( like I always do there) to have my favorite foods. I never eat that much at home but when you are somewhere for just few days, you just enjoy and you come back and diet a little while resuming your normal life.

Walking works, as long as you’re eating mostly natural. In my case, I couldn’t lose by counting calories. I had to stop eating processed food, then like a miracle, the weight just fell off (no counting).

I did my first French exchange when I was 13 and a revelation was a warm salad (to start the meal) of chou-fleur à la vapeur au vinaigrette or any green salad to start. Aids digestion, but also slows absorption of simple carbs and curbs the desire to over eat. The only time I remember being shocked about the amount of sugar a French person would consume is when eating a small pot of fromage blanc but even then I think it was only us kids who ate this occasionally. The overall French mantra is smaller portion sizes but exceptional quality.

I'm American and I not sure if you are joking about our ideas of eating healthy. If you dont want us to assume your country's eating habits dont insult ours. I can on your platform to get some insight as to how the French eat not a side jab.

Eating disorders in France: 1,5% Eating disorders in the US: 9% Live expectancy in France: over 82 years Live expectancy in the U.S: 78 years Obesity rate in the US: 65,7% 2nd place in OECD-countries Obesity rate in France: 45,8% 34th place from 36 This about the "dark truth" why french women stay slim. Me, french woman, no eating disorder, 60 years old, gave birth to three kids, no snacking, no softdrinks (not a thing in my childhood) and normal portions with more or less the same weight for 35 years. I eat a three-course meal every day, love bread and eat some every day (but no toast or something what's not worth to be called bread) and I don't smoke.

Interesting. Just last week I watched a very long documentary that in France more American chain restaurants are being opened and people go there to eat fast food. I also see many documentaries that show statistics that in France, and UK obesity is on the rise. But again, it's a good idea to show statistics

There are those of us Americans who eat fresh foods every day, no processed foods, and who are well aware of good nutrition. It’s true the US has a huge problem with lack of nutritional knowledge which leads to awful obesity, but there are definitely many people who cook and know how to avoid bad food.

Lovely Alice, could I just make a tiny comment? I noticed you pronounce walk the same as work in your videos and it can be a little confusing, you should be able to get the audio pronunciation in one of the online dictionaries. Your accent is very charming, I love to hear French people speak English and you are fabulous. I am not a native English speaker myself, but have lived in London since 1984. British people would never tell you if you make a pronunciation/grammar mistake because they think you'll be offended. Personally I don't get offended (I like learning too much!) and I hope I am not causing any offence to you either, as this was not my intention at all.

Coucou, Alice! Korean American here. Thank you for this eye-opening video. My mother and I eat mostly fresh fruits and vegetables and little meat for taste. We eat mostly Korean-style food at home, so we often eat vegetable-based soups and stews accompanied with kimchi, fresh vegetables, and brown rice. We pay attention to our sugar consumption more than ever (Maman has to watch her level for health reasons) and we are appalled at how much sugar is in food these days, all the way down to pasta sauces and condiments. We stopped buying grocery store bread because we can’t stand the sugar in the bread. We also don’t remember when we last ate fast food, and we certainly don’t miss it. We rarely eat out at restaurants because food is way too salty for us. Also, restaurant food has become ridiculously expensive, so it’s a double whammy. We visited Europe last summer and were impressed with the quality of food. We can’t get over how fresh and fruits and vegetables are. Italian ricotta cheese tastes heavenly, unlike watery American ricotta cheese. (Don’t get me started on horrid American processed cheese.) By the way, you and your mother look absolutely stunning. I hope to look like your mother when I am her age. It is motivation for me not to let myself go so that I can wear my favorite clothes until I can be buried in my signature outfit. (Like food, the quality is clothes has gone down, but prices have gone up.) Gros bisous!

Thank you for this video😮, Alice. I moved from Boston/Brookline to New Hampshire and there was A LOT of tall poppy syndrome here. Even at age 66 I was slim, fit from Pilates, and well groomed & dressed. I was a size 4. The average weight of the women in my office is 200lbs. I have weighed some of our female patients at 400 pounds. There is always so much cookies, donuts, and bowls of candy in our office. The average weight of our patients is approximately 200-225lbs. I am now a size 8-10 US, and am determined to get my body back to where it was, and where I feel most comfortable. I lost my motivation when caring for my ill husband who has since passed. After he died, I stopped cooking and exercising. Now I am getting my motivation back to cook and exercise. I am very concerned about the level of obesity and diabetes here. I don’t buy foods with sugar, except for the occasional dessert. I will go to WholeFoods, buy a dessert, and cut it into 4-8 pieces, so that I can have a small portion of it and safe the rest for other days. I feel like an anomaly in this state, and hope to move back to Boston, where I walked everywhere. Thank you for helping me with getting my motivation back to raise the quality of my life and that of my patients.

I am South American, living in USA for 30 years , lived 1 year in Paris , and wherever part of the world I choose to eat fresh , good quality and healthy! It’s a choice and habits !!!🙏 No one force food on my mouth . Whatever I bring to my mouth , it’s my brain that decides , then my hands put in !!!! I am slim and health 🙏

I lived in France for many years. Not all French women are as thin as you claim. According to recent statistics, 47% of French people are overweight. Yes, it's far higher in the US, but it's growing in France too.

I’ve always been a thin American girl. People always thought I had an ED and I don’t. I’m a grazer. I will have some snacks throughout the day but it’s an apple with peanut butter or a banana. I don’t eat chips or junk food. It’s also not bad when you’re hungry. We don’t have to be stuffed all the time. Eat until you’re comfortable and satiated, not until you’re put in a food coma. And water isn’t the enemy. If I feel a little hungry outside of a regular meal time, I’ll drink some water, go for a quick walk, and then reassess. If I still feel hungry, I’ll have an apple or something with fiber to get me through to the next meal time

I agree with you that American food is generally very bad. I grew up in the UK and when I went to America I was shocked by the food culture. That being said, France isn't any better. French women age very badly. They may look lovely when they are young but smoking is a big thing in France and that ages the locals so badly. Both countries have good and bad.

I’m an American of italian decent…I eat all fresh foods …so theirs a CHOICE here …

Excellent video. Differences in food culture and attitudes to walking make such a huge difference as does government regulation and having governments that are actually concerned about the health of citizens rather than constantly pandering to big companies.

I went to Paris twice, everything she is saying is true. People eat health, small portions and walk everywhere.

This may surprise you, but Americans used to be fairly skinny. This is because we used to have a more “French” attitude towards food and eating. We used to eat minimally processed home-cooked meals and never snack. My father (born in the 50’s) grew up with the adage: “don’t snack or it will spoil your dinner!” Things changed in the 70s: the 7 countries study (which excluded France and Germany) came out and convinced the American public that a high-carb low-fat diet would stave off heart disease. The US government then came out with the ridiculous food pyramid which was contrary to our traditional diet. Then food companies with the aid of the American Heart Association convinced the public that the way to stay thin was to eat many small meals every day (snacking). And food companies provided these snacks in the form of hyper-palatable fake foods. This is why you see Americans eating fake foods around the clock today.

Hi Alice! Love your video! It motivated me to get healthier. Also, your accent is so CUTE 😍

You sound pretty hateful against America French people have small fridges In their apartments and very few groceries “Nothing is real” You’re straight up mean

This was absolute the best Best video , Ive seen.. I am so Inspired!!!!!.

American people do not eat all day long. Generalizing too much. She is talking a lot about sugar, but they have bread and pasteries for breakfast. Slim people but smokers. Did not mention that awful habit that many have in Paris and other parts of Europe. Culture of drinking wine and smoking.

This is so true, I work in a French office and French/ European women do not smoke or starve themselves, they eat healthily and try to live a healthy life. Alice, do you mind sharing where you got your earrings or what brand you recommend for chunky oversized earrings such the one you're wearing in the video?

Sa va, Alice! Thanks for this video. Hopefully, with social media, we can circumvent the problem by getting the message out regarding diet and lifestyle in a way that can bypass the powers that be. I'm looking forward to a trip to Paris in the near future, and enjoying learning a little about your culture! Cheers!

Thank you. I am American and had a German mother. I was raised to eat real home-cooked food and to walk. I have only struggled with my weight when eating fake, ultra-processed food. Everything here that is not a plain fruit, vegetable, or meat seems to have high fructose corn syrup and some form of MSG. These ultra-processed foods cause blood sugar spikes and dramatically increase appetite.

I’m french living in France and I am fat 🤣 well… curvy I mean, I love eating and my boyfriend is soooo happy when I share a big T bone steack with him with sauce at the restaurant!! No no all French people are not “slim” perhaps in Paris is easier to see more slim girls but is not the reality trust in me 😉 I’m a rural fashion curvy cool girl and I LOVE my life and body. (i don’t smoke, I don’t take drugs, I don’t take alcohol but I LOVE EATING…) eat is Life. Pd: beauty is also a beautiful face, heart, soul and behavior

Loved the information!! Thanks for mentioning your mom! I am 62 and struggle with the last "10 pounds" forever. Your mom gives me hope that after menopause it is possible. I have a good diet because I love to cook, but I am going to drop all processed food which does make up only a tiny bit of my diet. I have some hummus in the instant pot right now. 🙂

American here and it drives me INSANE how most people need to eat constantly. One meal ends and the people around you are already talking about the next meal. Doing anything with family is a nightmare because all they think about is FOOD. I'm so tired of it.

If we all eat right..and listen to our bodies…we will all be healthy and feel wonderful..no matter where you live…Paris has nothing to do with health…every person is responsible for their own health..so just eat the right food…

Hi Alice! I was watching this video and was a little confused because I didn't know what the American diet was despite growing up here but then remembered that it's because my mom's from Asia so my eating habits are super different 😆so grateful for my mom for cooking from scratch and normalizing only buying fresh, whole foods. Very interesting video, would love to see a 'what i eat in a week' for some inspiration!

You make good points here. Just one suggestion. “L” in “walk” is silent. In this video the word “walking” sounds exactly like “working” which makes it very confusing

Thank you for your openness and honesty! more like this please...and if can please clarify what "infusions" are. Thank you again!

I agree with all of this... This is why I try to live more like my family in Europe... very difficult to do in the USA. I love to learn about other cultures because we can always learn something from each other.... Alice, you are doing so well. People who are Jealous or Fearful are the one's putting you down... You are showing your grace in this situation...

I love how honest you are. Thanks

As an American who grew up with a European mother, we ate well. I am your mother's age. in the 60's and 70's people ate fairly well and obesity was rare. Unfortunately, without good studies, our government listened to doctors who felt that fat was the enemy and responsible for heart disease. it was not. they advocated a low fat, high carbohydrate diet and for the last 40 years obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer have skyrocketed. Also, whereas, growing up. most meals were eaten at home because there were no fast food restaurants, and eating out was expensive for a family of five and so, was a once in awhile treat. Now, Americans can find fast, easy food and eat out often. Additionally , sugar in many different forms is added unnecessarily to our foods. So, eating whole foods reducing sugar and starches, and reading labels to make sure you're not eating chemicals and sugar will go far in people's health journey. it's not always about being slim and "skinny" It's about being healthy. I think we are becoming more educated about this as a country and for those who live in poverty, it is very difficult to get proper nutrition. It is a multifaceted problem that does have some truthful components stated by the presenter, but there are some cliches expressed as well towards Americans and the issue is more nuanced than what is presented. The advise to eat whole foods at home is a good one.

I love love love your directness and honesty. ❤

There Alot of inaccurate generalizations about the states

America is a Very big and Very diverse country. That's what many Europeans just don't understand.

I think the main point to consider is that, at this point, everybody in the world knows what's healthy and what's not! There are American people that eat healthy and others that don't, the same applies to France or any other european country. The fact is obesity is increasing in ALL Developed countries, with no exception. Fast food, added sugars, sweet drinks, etc. are easier and handy to buy and, most importantly are CHEAPER. To buy healthy, bio products is actually very expensive and not everybody can afford it. This is a big issue for mankind and politicians all over the world should start thinking in people first and not in money!

Americans who are obese typically eat too much processed foods and/or have an unhealthy lifestyle. Whole Foods is not accessible to the average American, and the huge portions of food at American restaurants are only making things worse. Too many Americans, myself included, eat out or buy prepackaged meals too often, which is not healthy. I'm trying to change my lifestyle, so I will look forward to your future videos about this topic.

Love this video! It’s very true! My husband is French and I am Australian so I’ve seen the difference in lifestyle and eating habits

I LOVE that you still made this video, knowing many of the viewers are American and planning to visit Paris/France, soon. It’s the truth! We eat grossly, don’t exercise and wear gym gear, everywhere. It’s gross. For ME and respect for any human that sees me in public. Hopefully, they follow suit. I will never conform to American standards. I dress up, for myself and keep a healthy diet/exercise routine, daily!

I believe it is also about money. Things are more expensive in Europe like deserts and also transportation, people walk in Paris because it's cheaper and also healthier, if you compare the prices a d quality of a desert at Angelina to something at Dairy Queen for instance... it's much cheaper eating sugar treats in the US. Lifestyle is everything.

This video feels like the caricature version of American eating habits. Not all Americans eat unhealthy. There’s more to our diet than fast food and processed food. And we don’t just eat American cheese! Lol

I write here as a Polish lady. In Poland most women's attitudes include: 1. I prefer to walk for 20 min. instead of looking for a car park for 1h. 2. I prefer to cook my food, because I don't know what ingredients are processed food including. 3. I love a bike because we have a lot of bike routes everywhere. 4. I love walking in the snow because it causes resistance and this is part of my exercise. 5. Again, I love walking distance of 10-15km with my friends because we have enough time to chat 😂 [read: gossip]. 6. I personally wish to follow my grandmother's lifestyle in which she chose to eat only fermented food each Friday. I am still working on it. I am a 46 Warsaw woman and have only been overweight twice in my life when I was pregnant 😂

There is a lot to consider here. I do think women in Europe have been slimmer than the average American woman. In NYC and Los Angeles and maybe San Francisco, women are weight and appearance conscious and tend to be more fit (careful diet and exercise regimens). Food here is made to be inexpensive, highly flavored (fat/salt/sugar) and to have a long shelf life. We get little nutrition education and a lot of advertising for junk food. One thing I would like to see, as a lifelong vegetarian, is people switching from animal products to plant-based and a Mediterranean diet. I saw a lot of meat consumption in France, so I would love the French to lead the way on eliminating it (along with tobacco) from their lifestyle and wish Americans would stop the factory farm industry, which is unhealthy and cruel.

Thank you for sharing your experience! I absolutely love Paris! I'm American and moved to Paris a year and a half ago. It has completely transformed my health. In the US, I was overweight, diabetic, and had terrible stomach problems. I started eating a traditional French diet as soon as I moved here. The food is so rich and decadent that I thought it would make me fat. It has been quite the opposite. Today, I'm a normal weight. I'm no longer diabetic and don't have to take medications. I can't remember the last time I had stomach problems. My health is so much better in France. I love going to the marché and eating fresh, healthy food. The only things I drink here are wine, champagne, coffee, and water. After experiencing the French way of life, I don't think I'll ever return to the US. It has truly been a life-changing experience for me.

You are fabulous! Thank you for reminders!

Seems like similar rules in each video • 1. Don’t eat processed foods / limit snacks. 2. Be active . Walk / bike when possible . 3. Sit to eat and eat at routine times ( meals / home cooked meals) and don’t overeat . Enjoy and stay balanced

Than you for honest words Alice. Pleased include you beautiful mom on the videos and tell us how she lost weight during her menopause. It’s my struggle now. 🤗🌷

Good information! Thank you! I have been to Paris twice and I found the people to be wonderful. I do think that you had an unfortunate experience in the United States in regard to your eating and choices that were available. I think it is important that we all look at the beauty of different cultures.

Thank you for the really interesting video, I enjoyed watching it and learning about how you take care of yourself. Merci beaucoup!

You get offended with french stereotypes yet you also stereotyoe americans. Your nationality does not make you better or lesser than anyone. Your attitude and perspective matters more.

I had never heard of “tall poppy syndrome” before the comments on your community post, but I am always getting annoyed about that same thing in my own life. I have just been calling it “loser culture” LOL. It doesn’t really matter what I do, there is always someone who has a problem with me achieving my goals or even just wearing an awesome outfit after spending a year developing my personal style. If you grew up pretty that’s a major cause for constant bullying too. So many people are negative and instead of being inspired by others, they get angry and try to rip others apart. Unfortunately this is just human evil and there is nothing that can actually be done to stop it. I agree with you addressing this topic, and I saw the video that upset you after reading the comments on that community post and I think that woman is mentally ill. I don’t want to say her name here, but I investigated a couple of her videos after that and that is my honest conclusion. She said many weird and delusional things about different topics and also admits she “loves her food” and eating is too big of a priority for her, like a hobby, and she seems to pity anyone who doesn’t entertain themselves that way.

Thank you Alice great tips!!! 🙂

When you use the general expression of « In America » you are using a stereotype word. America is a continent . Even if you said in the USA it would be a stereotype. The USA is inhabited by people that come from a very wide range of cultures and because of that it’s impossible to say that people eat a certain way . I personally never eat « fast food » don’t drink Coca Cola or soft drinks . So the life you are describing in Paris is not at all common. Emigrants from Africa or middle eastern countries that live in Paris don’t eat like you. I have lived all over the USA including NYC . I have lived in Paris for 10 years as well. It’s a culture in flux . I believe that it’s possible to be very healthy and very unhealthy anywhere in the world because it’s also a matter of having access to good information, education and access to good food which is not a luxury equally around the world. The most unhealthy section in the supermarket in France are the endless isles of sugar ridden yogurts. So you were raised by a mother that was health conscious good for you. But know it’s not always the case around the world

I agree - most people have no clue how much walking impacts our health. The snacking and food quality is horrible for us too. Your mom looks amazing! I have such a hard time gaining muscle so I am in awe!

And I thought you only did luxury videos! This was a REFRESHING change and so informative. You have a lovely voice and a thick accent but the word “bullshit” was clear. 😂 Thank you for sharing your perspective. Very spot on. And your mom is awesome.

Spot on. When we returned to the US after eight years in Europe, we were aghast at portion sizes, amount of sugar, and amount of processed food consumed on a daily basis. We are fortunate we live where there is an abundance of locally grown food and we are coastal so there’s ample fish. It can be a struggle for many to eat well here due to cost and access and because of what agribusiness and the food industry have done to so many foods.

LOLOL........ I kept thinking that you were saying that you "work" a lot. Suddenly it didn't make sense when you took your dog out for a "work". lolol. I finally realized that your pronunciation was wrong and that you were saying "walk or walking". I will spell it out phonetically for you. "Waaaak or Waaaaking". Don't try to pronounce the "L". I hope this helps. I subscribed bcos you reminded me of me when I was your age. I'm now 72 yrs old and you inspire me to keep moving. Thank you.

Amen. Someone who tells it like it is! TY! I am a nurse and I see what the American diet has done to 90% my patients.

My fellow classmates who went to USA as exchange students had that same experience, that they gained between 10-20 kgs during the time they were there. One of them lived in a family where the mum praised herself for cooking, but it was not cooking as we understand it in Sweden for a lot of it was about adding water or milk to a ready made mix that was bought in the store (and perhaps not any healthier than the take away food?). I was born 1970, am not accustomed to soda, my mom was cautious with sugary things because of dental health so soda was something one could have at larger holiday dinners, Christmas Easter but not to any everyday meals where we had milk or water.

You look great - beautiful!! I am American and no offense, a LOT slimmer than you. I don't eat junk or sugar. I cook the best quality that I can find (not as good as in France). 5'4" and size 00 or 000-- 49 years old. I walk, do yoga, and my size is partly genetic. I don't eat all day long - not all Americans are overweight. Not all French people are slim. :)

I'm American. Whenever I have visited Italy for two weeks, I lose weight, despite eating mostly pasta and never exercising. I can't eat pasta in the U.S. without gaining weight, and I must at least walk daily and count calories