How not to get healthy in the land of delicious food? Eating rules for Italian women

Italian women do not get fat, and statistics prove it. According to a study by the European Association for the Study of Obesity, only 9% of the country’s inhabitants are obese (for comparison, in Russia this figure exceeds 20%). The secret of a healthy body and slim figure lies in cultural traditions and the famous Mediterranean diet, which is characterized by balanced dishes and moderation.

Only fresh produce

Inhabitants of the land of sun and wine are very picky about the quality of food, so they try to choose only fresh products: they eat a lot of fresh vegetables, dairy and seafood, poultry. And they choose seasonal vegetables grown on local farms, never imported from abroad. They are used in salads or grilled. And the main source of fats in the Mediterranean diet is not fatty cream or mayonnaise, but vegetable oil, mainly olive oil. In addition, Italians do not recognize soda and prefer to drink water, wine or beer at lunch. But if it comes to alcohol, then no more than one glass.

No rush

Italians value their families and try to spend as much time with their loved ones as possible. As in some other southern countries, in Italy many offices and stores close for siesta, so you can quietly and without hurry prepare a healthy home-cooked meal, rather than snacking on whatever you can. And Sunday lunches, when the whole family gathers around the table, are a topic for a separate discussion.

The inhabitants of the Mediterranean coast do not understand the rush in eating, a meal for them is not just to satisfy hunger, and rest, during which you can have leisurely conversations, savor dishes and enjoy.

Don’t eat if you’re full

Italian women don’t keep a calorie count, instead they follow the universal rule of not eating once they are full. Stepped lunches also help them not to overeat. Also Italian women lead an active lifestyle – a lot of walking, running, bicycling.

In addition, the inhabitants of Italy are not attracted to sweets – they eat cakes and pies on special occasions, and on a normal day for dessert prefer cheese with nuts and fruit. Southern beauties are also not used to snacking between meals, so fast food, chips and other junk food are also not popular.

Home cooking

Italians are real masters of tasty, simple and healthy homemade food. For example, they are very fond of dishes made of beans, which are rich in protein and fiber and satiates for a long time with a minimum number of calories. Also an indispensable product is balsamic vinegar, which gives food a special flavor and contains almost no calories.

The calling card of Italy, pasta is used as a first course with a small amount of meat, garlic, basil and low-fat sauce based on tomatoes or olive oil. The portions are quite small – in this country they like to eat a variety of food, but a little at a time.

Italians have a rather modest breakfast, usually coffee with a bun. The main meal is lunch, and for dinner, as a rule, they cook something light.

Culinary recipes are carefully handed down from generation to generation, people learn to cook from childhood and quickly internalize the “national” rules of nutrition.

No stress and diets

Stress is not about Italian women. In general, they lead a more relaxed lifestyle than residents of other countries, have the opportunity to lunch and dinner without rushing, so they feel more relaxed and full of energy.

Italian women categorically reject diets – they simply do not need them, because the main focus is moderation in nutrition. Italian cuisine is simple and healthy food without harmful ingredients, so why torture yourself with restrictions and unnecessary nervousness?