Five reasons to eat like an Italian
The health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet have been discussed over the last few years, but what is it, exactly, which makes the Italian diet so good?
From a purely scientific viewpoint the salient points are
High consumption of monosaturated fats (olive oil and nuts)
High consumption of vegetables, fruit, legumes and unprocessed foods
Moderate intake of oily fish (omega 3)
Moderate intake of fermented dairy products
Moderate intake of alcohol
However, the reason that Italians eat so well is much more about passion than dietary formulas.
Food is at the heart of the Italian lifestyle; it is what they talk about from the moment they wake up and the thought of what they will eat at the next meal is what keeps them going throughout the day!
You may be able to identify the particulars about the Mediterranean diet; that it encourages high fibre intake, is high in carbohydrates, medium in fats and low in processed foods, but what makes the diet of Italy so special is the way the Italians love their food and the process of sourcing ingredients and combining them in a time-honoured way, with such joy.
Italian food is well made, rich in taste and texture, but much more than that it is enjoyed sitting at the table with family, or friends, and discussed and appreciated as every forkful is swallowed.
Seasonal ingredients are awaited with glee and bought at local markets, effortlessly ‘free from packaging’ and fresh, local and nutritious.
Local festivals are held in different towns and villages throughout the land, celebrating their regional foodstuffs and favourite dishes. From asparagus to truffles, and porchetta to ravioli, there is a festival in honour of and dedicated to this particular foodstuff to be found in Italy.
So, the reasons to eat like an Italian may be more, or less, than five. It is about enjoying and appreciating every mouthful in good company, and not counting the reasons!