Why French Soldiers Are Lean: The Diet and Training Behind Their Physique

The lean appearance of French soldiers is a result of a combination of rigorous training regimens, dietary restrictions, and operational requirements. While the French military focuses on physical fitness and endurance, their approach to maintaining a lean physique can be attributed to several key factors.

Training Regimen

French military training often emphasizes physical fitness and endurance. Soldiers undergo rigorous physical training that promotes lean muscle development rather than muscle bulk. This training regimen is designed to enhance performance in various terrains and situations, contributing to their streamlined physiques.

Diet and Nutrition

The French diet is known for its emphasis on fresh, whole foods. While French soldiers may not strictly follow this diet, they do adhere to specific nutritional guidelines that contribute to maintaining a healthy and lean body. These guidelines often result in a calorie-restricted diet to promote weight management and body composition.

Operational Requirements

French troops operate in diverse and often challenging environments, such as deserts and wet jungles with poor hygiene conditions. The operational requirements of these environments demand a lean physique. Energy loss in high-temperature and sometimes humid climates can increase dramatically with body weight. Research has shown that this effect becomes significant even with small increases in body weight, ranging from 10 to 20 kilograms (20 to 45 lbs).

French troops recognize the importance of maintaining a lean physique to enhance their performance and survival in these harsh conditions. The intention to make French soldiers lean is reflected in both basic training and food rationing.

Basic Training and Food Rationing

During basic training, new soldiers are put on a 500-calorie diet for 1 to 2 months. This calorie restriction is not intended to deprive them of essential nutrients but to prepare them physically and mentally for the demands of military life. This weight-loss session can increase their endurance and confidence. Additionally, it reduces the risk of endurance-related injuries and decreases the costs and wear and tear of uniforms and boots.

The Drawbacks of a Lean Physique

While the lean physique is advantageous in some environments, it also has drawbacks in others. For example, during World War II, lean soldiers in cold climates often suffered from hypothermia and were more likely to die from freezing conditions and food rationing. Additionally, wounded or sick lean soldiers had a significantly lower chance of survival due to their body's inability to support prolonged injuries or illnesses.

Understanding the complexities of maintaining a lean physique in the French military, it is important to consider the diverse operational requirements and varied environments in which French soldiers operate. The combination of rigorous training and strict dietary guidelines enhances their physical performance, but also requires careful management to mitigate potential drawbacks in extreme conditions.