Nourishment à la Française: Eating With Pleasure and Balance
When American women think about food and nutrition, they so often associate it with restricting, counting, and measuring. For so many, food is treated like a math problem or some sort of science experiment. And with this mindset, we have completely stripped food and nourishment of any and all pleasure.
In France, however, the approach is quite different. Balanced meals are savored — even joyful. The result? Food feels effortless and pleasurable, without obsession or guilt.
I’ve never been one to use “summer” as a verb, however, this year, I did summer in France. Though I’ve spent time there in the past, I hadn’t spent time there as a dietitian until just recently. And while I could write a whole book about all that I observed I’ll share what stuck out to me the most.
Here are five timeless, French-inspired nutrition principles you can bring into your own kitchen, no passport required.
1. Plaisir: Pleasure Without Guilt
In France, food isn’t just fuel, it’s a source of joy. While it’s true that we do need to nourish our bodies with food in order to function properly, we’ve stripped a lot of the joyfulness that comes along with a good meal. In France, a slice of Camembert or a pain au chocolat isn’t “cheating,” it’s part of living well. When we give ourselves permission to enjoy food, we actually end up feeling more satisfied and less likely to overdo it later.
Have you ever caught yourself standing over the sink eating? It’s ok if you have, we’ve all done it! However, next time you’re planning to mindlessly eat a cookie while you stand and scroll on your phone, try sitting down and savoring it slowly. Notice how different it feels. You might find that you’re satisfied after just one cookie rather than reaching for another.
2. Équilibre: Balance Over Restriction
Not only is balance more chic than restriction, but it’s healthier too. Équilibre is the philosophy that health isn’t found in eliminating foods or chasing perfection — it’s found in enjoying meals that nourish your body, satisfy your cravings, and fit seamlessly into your life. Rather than focusing on what you can’t eat, it’s about creating rituals and habits that let you enjoy your food, honor your body, and build a healthy lifestyle that lasts.
3. Qualité: Choose Quality Over Quantity
Fresh, seasonal, thoughtfully prepared ingredients, paired with intention and enjoyment, create a sustainable, pleasurable approach to nutrition. Qualité is about choosing foods and experiences that truly nourish, not simply eating more or measuring every bite. It’s the principle that transforms meals from mindless routines into mindful rituals.
4. Rituel: Make Meals a Ritual
Though we may believe otherwise in the United States, meals don’t have to be rushed or stressful. Rituel is the principle that elevates eating into a thoughtful practice. By slowing down, savoring each bite, and creating small intentional habits around meals, you nourish both your body and your well-being.
5. Joie de Vivre: Food as Part of a Joyful Life
I call it joie de vivre, infusing your life with delight through food. Food is meant to be savored, not stressed over. Joie de vivre reminds us that nourishment isn’t just about health, it’s about enjoyment, celebration, and the small pleasures that make life feel full. Sharing a favorite dish with friends, enjoying a perfectly brewed cup of coffee, or simply taking the time to appreciate flavors. Life is richer when eating is joyful.
