Podcast Summary: The Bert Show – "Vault: We Pick This Author's Brain About Her Diet Book"

Date: January 6, 2026
Host: The Bert Show Cast (Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy)
Guest: Mireille Guiliano, author of Why French Women Don't Get Fat

Episode Overview

This episode features Mireille Guiliano, celebrated author of Why French Women Don't Get Fat, a book famously endorsed by Oprah Winfrey. The Bert Show hosts use their signature light-hearted, authentic tone to dig into the philosophies behind Mireille’s "ultimate non-diet book" and explore the cultural climate around food, especially comparing French and American attitudes. The discussion moves beyond dieting, focusing on mindful eating, traditional rituals, and lifestyle choices.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Mireille's Background & the Book's Premise

• [01:32–02:13] Mireille introduces her book, emphasizing that it’s not a typical diet book but instead a guide to French lifestyle and rituals surrounding food. She shares her personal journey with weight gain after moving to America, propelling her to revisit lessons from her French upbringing.
  • Quote:
    "No, no, it’s actually the ultimate non-diet book. It’s a lifestyle book, really."
    — Mireille Guiliano [02:18]
• She describes suffering from low self-esteem related to weight gain and credits her family doctor for guiding her back to mindful eating habits taught by her mother.

The French Relationship With Food

• [03:29–04:11] The core difference? The French "eat with their head," respecting traditional mealtime rituals, savoring food, and eating more slowly.
  • Quote:
    "We eat with our head... We eat in a very common sense way by having three meals a day and not snacking. We have smaller portions, we eat much, much, much more slowly."
    — Mireille Guiliano [03:29]
• Mireille illustrates how taking time with meals and fully engaging the senses brings both satisfaction and natural portion control.

Contrasts in American Eating Habits

• [04:23–04:49] Mireille credits her American weight gain to exposure to snacks, sweets, and the habit of eating anytime, anywhere—even standing up or in front of the TV. This approach led to overeating and poor food choices.
  • Quote:
    "I probably was having seven meals a day, and most of them were bad."
    — Mireille Guiliano [04:49]

Enjoying Rich Foods Without Deprivation

• [04:49–06:26] French women don’t deprive themselves of pastries or chocolate, but enjoy them in moderation and much smaller portions than typically found in America.
  • Quote:
    "A croissant is not a croissant is not a croissant. And now we even have mini croissants."
    — Mireille Guiliano [05:27]
  • Quote:
    "You can eat quality food in small portions, and then you can eat anything you want. If you want to have chocolate, you shouldn't deprive your chocolate… Just don't have a loaf."
    — Mireille Guiliano [05:38]
• American portions are highlighted as often being 3x the French standard, especially when it comes to pastries and fast food staples.

Content of the Book: More Than Advice

• [06:39–08:03] Mireille describes her book as part memoir, part lifestyle guide, and recipe collection, focusing on seasonal produce and simple cooking.
  • She wants to inspire Americans, especially young people, to cook and enjoy vegetables—highlighting overlooked staples like leeks.
  • Quote:
    "I have a lot of recipes in the book, simple recipes. Because I wanted to encourage young people to cook… Another difference is that I've noticed for many American women, cooking is a chore. And for us... we cook because we like to prepare something for the people we love."
    — Mireille Guiliano [06:52]
  • Discussion of her "magical leek soup": a gentle, vegetable-based detox and diuretic.

The Power of Slowing Down

• [08:03–10:59] Mireille stresses that slowing down is the most important step; eating mindfully, with respect for food, reduces stress-driven overeating and fosters genuine satisfaction.
  • Quote:
    "Slowing down is probably the most important thing because... we have a great respect for food and we pay much more attention to what we put into our body."
    — Mireille Guiliano [08:10]
  • She notes "eating on the go" is a major obstacle: multitasking meals is linked to overeating and diminished pleasure.
  • Mireille encourages listeners to adopt a food journal to raise awareness of their habits as a first step.
    • Quote:
      "Keeping a journal is a very nice little way to do, to start. Because a lot of women write me and say, my God, I didn’t realize what I was eating every day."
      — Mireille Guiliano [09:08]
  • Mindful reduction is key; she warns against drastic cuts, promoting a gradual approach (e.g., cutting from 6 slices of bread to 5, not zero overnight).

Final Thoughts

• Mireille’s overarching message:
  • Don’t treat eating as a punishment or a mindless act—approach it with respect, pleasure, and balance.
  • Focus less on rigid diet rules and more on quality, localized foods, and enjoying the act of eating.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Book’s Intent:
  "It’s actually the ultimate non-diet book. It’s a lifestyle book, really."
  — Mireille Guiliano [02:18]

• On American Snacking:
  "I probably was having seven meals a day, and most of them were bad."
  — Mireille Guiliano [04:49]

• On French Moderation:
  "You can eat quality food in small portions, and then you can eat anything you want."
  — Mireille Guiliano [05:38]

• On Cooking as Love:
  "For many American women, cooking is a chore. And for us… we cook because we like to prepare something for the people we love."
  — Mireille Guiliano [06:52]

• On Food Journaling:
  "Keeping a journal is a very nice little way to start. Because a lot of women write me and say, my God, I didn’t realize what I was eating every day."
  — Mireille Guiliano [09:08]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:32–02:13]: Mireille introduces herself and the book’s purpose
• [03:29–04:11]: The French philosophy of eating: slowing down, savoring
• [04:23–04:49]: Mireille’s personal account of gaining weight in America
• [04:49–06:26]: How French people enjoy rich foods sensibly; portion differences
• [06:39–08:03]: Content of the book: memoir, recipes, love of produce and cooking
• [08:03–10:59]: Practical advice: slowing down, journaling, and gradual change

Conclusion

This episode provides a warm, engaging exploration of Mireille Guiliano's philosophy—a celebration of food, cultural ritual, and mindful living. The discussion demystifies the "French paradox," showing how simple changes like slowing down, cooking at home, and choosing quality over quantity can reshape our relationship with food. The hosts offer listeners a taste of Mireille’s wit and wisdom, making this episode a valuable resource for anyone curious about healthier, happier eating—not just dieting.