While it may have once been true that the French have no weight problems, that's no longer the case: at the current rate, the French could be as fat as Americans by 2020. Neurophysiologist Clower (The Fat Fallacy) acknowledges only research supporting his premise, however, in this more pragmatic version of the bestselling French Women Don't Get Fat. Clower picks apart our bad habits and replaces them with healthier (and, incidentally, French ones), pushing, for instance, the French habit of obtaining calcium from food rather than supplements, quoting data indicating supplements are linked to kidney stones. In another example, he pits the French practice of eating butter against the American penchant toward margarine, citing butter as healthier. He later admits this is only true if you eat a little butter (eat a little margarine and the results will be similar). And so it goes throughout this sentimental homage to the French. The advice is, at heart, sound: eat fresh foods and smaller portions, and exercise more. Readers who would like to accomplish this nibbling Camembert while walking along the Seine will be pleased, although a stroll through the American food pyramid will net similar, though admittedly less romantic, results. (On sale Apr. 11)
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