When in the U.S., do as the French do. That’s the advice of author Mireille Guiliano. With one out of three people in America either overweight or obese, Guiliano suggests that readers take a cue from their thinner French counterparts. She’s an opponent of diets, which she says only contribute to the yo-yo effect. To slim down, you won’t need to count calories, cut carbs or go to other extremes; instead you’ll adopt the highly-effective habits of the French.

Eat three meals a day, load up on fruits and vegetables, swear off super-sizing, incorporate physical activity into your daily routine, drink water and indulge in your favorite treats on occasion. It’s common sense and it works. Just look at French women. Ironically, the French consume a diet rich in cream, butter, cheese, meat and other gourmet delicacies, but they manage to maintain their girlish figures.

Guiliano encourages her followers to eat for pleasure. Instead of living by the scale, she suggests keeping tabs of your weight using your zipper. When it becomes difficult to close your pants, it’s time to get a handle on your habits. She also advocates the philosophy that less is more. Why eat 30 bites when the palate is satisfied after just three?

Eat with your head and don’t leave the table feeling like you’ve overdone it. Savor each morsel and take your time. Consume foods that will leave you feeling satisfied. Incorporate flavor into your diet using fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables. When following her approach, some of the recipes she provides include: asparagus tart, a plum clafouti made without dough, salad of duck a l'orange and grilled peaches with lemon thyme.