by Tina Ferrari

You’ve seen me write about my three-course lunches in the past, and I’m still eating up a storm.  I’m amazed that with all these wonderful foods I’m enjoying, I’m losing weight!  I think a few factors can be taken into consideration:

1.  In Italy, we eat at the table.  Not in front of the computer, not in the car.  At the dinner table.  Together.  Mealtimes are definitely valued here.

2.  Olive oil and wine.  The elixirs of the gods. These two products are staples in Italian cuisine.  Olive oil is added to most things and it’s acceptable to drink wine even at lunch – on a work day!  Both have their health benefits, and something Italians do that we could all stand to learn from, is consume these things is moderation.  Which brings me to…

3.  The portions.  Portions here, in my opinion, are reasonable and substantial.  Just enough of each course.  On a recent visit to the U.S., I saw a single serving of salad at a restaurant that was the same size as what you’d see at a family dinner table in Italy (for everyone to share).  A big secret to being healthy, I think, is being portion savvy.

4.  The fresh, clean food.  Here, when I feel quite full after a meal, after just an hour I feel perfectly fine and not full at all.  I like to think things are generally cleaner here – it doesn’t take much effort to find fresh food with no preservatives. Fruits and vegetables are seasonal, and the food is so naturally packed with flavor I feel satisfied easily.

How is the eating culture where you live?

Tina Ferrari is a translator, writer and tango dancer based in Umbria, Italy. She writes at AffordableCallingCards.net as well as on her own blog, Tina Tangos. Comments are always welcome!

Tags: expat in italy, Food, Italy

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