French for Talking About Diet Fads and Food Trends
Learn intermediate French vocabulary and structures to discuss popular diets, food fads, and eating trends in conversation.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you'll learn how to talk about popular diets and food trends in French. We'll focus on vocabulary and expressions for discussing fad diets, superfoods, and dietary habits. You'll practice using verbs like 'suivre' (to follow) and 'adopter' (to adopt), and learn to express opinions about food trends. By the end, you'll be able to engage in conversations about what's trendy in food and why people try different diets.
By the end, you can…
- name and describe popular diets and food trends in French.
- express opinions about why people follow fad diets.
- discuss my own eating habits and those of others using appropriate vocabulary.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
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Je suis un régime sans gluten.
I'm on a gluten-free diet.
zhuh swee uhn ray-zheem sahn glu-ten
Use 'suivre un régime' to say you are on a diet. 'Sans gluten' means gluten-free.
Elle a adopté le régime cétogène.
She adopted the ketogenic diet.
ell ah ah-dop-tay luh ray-zheem say-to-zhen
'Adopter' means to adopt. 'Cétogène' is the French term for ketogenic.
Le jeûne intermittent est très populaire en ce moment.
Intermittent fasting is very popular right now.
luh zhun an-tair-mee-tahn eh tray po-pu-lair ahn suh muh-mahn
'Le jeûne intermittent' means intermittent fasting. 'En ce moment' means currently.
Les superaliments comme les baies de goji sont à la mode.
Superfoods like goji berries are trendy.
lay soo-pair-ah-lee-mahn kum lay bay duh go-zhee sohn tah lah mod
'Superaliments' is the French word for superfoods. 'À la mode' means trendy.
Je ne mange plus de viande rouge.
I no longer eat red meat.
zhuh nuh mahnzh ploo duh vyahnd roozh
Use 'ne... plus' to say 'no longer'. 'Viande rouge' is red meat.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To talk about following a diet, use the verb 'suivre' (to follow) + 'un régime' (a diet). For example: 'Je suis un régime végétarien' (I follow a vegetarian diet). To say you've adopted a diet, use 'adopter': 'Il a adopté un régime sans sucre' (He adopted a sugar-free diet). To describe a trend, use 'être à la mode' (to be trendy): 'Le régime paléo est à la mode' (The paleo diet is trendy).
When to use it
Use these expressions when discussing dietary choices with friends or in casual conversations. For example, if someone offers you a dish you don't eat, you can say: 'Je ne mange pas de gluten, je suis un régime sans gluten.' (I don't eat gluten, I'm on a gluten-free diet.) When talking about trends, you might say: 'Beaucoup de gens essaient le jeûne intermittent en ce moment.' (Many people are trying intermittent fasting right now.)
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Tu as entendu parler du régime cétogène ?
Have you heard of the ketogenic diet?tew ah ahn-tahn-doo par-lay dew ray-zheem say-to-zhenOui, ma sœur le suit. Elle dit que c'est efficace.
Yes, my sister follows it. She says it's effective.wee, mah sur luh swee. ell dee kuh say teh-fee-kassMoi, je préfère le jeûne intermittent. C'est plus flexible.
Me, I prefer intermittent fasting. It's more flexible.mwah, zhuh pray-fair luh zhun an-tair-mee-tahn. say ploo flek-seeblC'est vrai, mais ce n'est pas pour tout le monde.
That's true, but it's not for everyone.say vray, may suh neh pah poor too luh mohndA little context goes a long way
In France, discussions about diets often include a focus on balanced eating and pleasure, rather than strict restrictions. The French term 'régime' can refer to any diet, but it's also used for medical diets. Be mindful that fad diets may be viewed with skepticism; phrases like 'ce n'est pas raisonnable' (it's not reasonable) might be used. In Quebec, 'régime' is also used, but you might hear 'diète' in informal contexts.
One thing to watch for
Using 'faire un régime' to mean 'to follow a diet' in all contexts.
Try this instead: 'Faire un régime' means 'to diet' (to lose weight), but for specific diets, use 'suivre un régime'. For example, 'Je fais un régime' means 'I'm dieting', while 'Je suis un régime sans gluten' means 'I'm on a gluten-free diet'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'She is on a vegetarian diet' in French?
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Elle suit un régime végétarien.
This uses 'suivre un régime' (to follow a diet) and 'végétarien' (vegetarian). Alternatively, 'Elle est végétarienne' is also correct but focuses on the person, not the diet.
2Translate: 'Intermittent fasting is trendy.'
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Le jeûne intermittent est à la mode.
'Le jeûne intermittent' is the term for intermittent fasting, and 'à la mode' means trendy. You could also say 'est populaire'.
3What is the French word for 'superfoods'?
Show a sample answer
Superaliments
This is a direct translation. Note that it's a masculine plural noun: 'les superaliments'.
Use 'suivre un régime' for specific diets, 'adopter' for adopting them, and 'à la mode' for trends. Remember that 'faire un régime' means dieting to lose weight, not following a specific diet.
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