I bought and read "French Women Don't Get Fat" and it kick-started my recent weight-loss after gaining back 10-15 of my 60 pound loss (75 now, hee hee).
It helped me to see food and eating differently. I enjoy food a lot more now than I ever did--food is not the enemy!
My faves by far were the recipes. I loved the desserts that were basically fruit. It made me realize that my idea of dessert has been largely created by restaurant menus and popular entertainment. I NEVER, before reading this book, would have considered cooked pears a dessert. When i made them--Oh my goodness were they perfectly sweet and satisfying.
I thought that I was not one of those people that ate excessively. But I regularly spooned more than I should into my bowl, if you know what I mean. I just didn't know it. I actually decided to measure my cereal after reading that book--just measure out the serving size and eat that only--and I lost 4 pounds in one month doing nothing else differently. She made a big deal out of the practice that they have of eating 5 course meals--but each course is small. you can eat so much more if you eat less....
Also--can I just say--glamour or Allure or marie Claire....one of those has an EAT THIS, NOT THAT section every issue where it shows, like...one really crazily bad for you-but commonly eaten among women- food against a whole plate full of other perfectly yummy foods for the same calories/nutrition content. That bit of recreational reading always give me a kick in the pants!
I refuse to waste my calories on ONE thing when I can eat 5 things!!!
I also have Healthy Eating--Using the Glycemic Index for optimal health. Lots of recipes and also information about carbohydrates and the GI index.