Eating Italian food makes you heavier? Well, that’s because it’s healthier! The cuisine of Italy boasts a range of foods that lend themselves to weight loss, from pasta and pizza, to bread and butter, to meat and veggie based dishes. So whether you want to boost your fitness levels or just fancy a healthier lifestyle, you can benefit from trying some of the country’s culinary delights! Let’s dive in.
The Healthy Hacks
One of the perks of being Italian is the food. You’ll find a range of foods that are rich in nutrition and low in calories. Pasta and pizza in particular are brilliant foods for weight loss because they’re both gluten-free and high in fiber. Consider experimenting with brown rice pasta or quinoa pizza. They provide a range of nutrients including protein, fiber and iron. You’ll also find plenty of veggies and herbs on the Italian menus, and lots of healthy oils to drizzle over your food. All of this adds up to healthier eating. You’ll find lots of food that’s good for you, so you don’t necessarily need to deprive yourself! Consider eating more salads and vegetables. You’ll be surprised at how much weight you’ll lose if you incorporate more green foods into your diet.
The Traditional Hacks
It’s well-established that Italians love their food and they like to make the most of what they eat. This means that some ‘traditional’ Italian dishes are great for weight loss. It’s always a good idea to look for foods that have been around for centuries because they’re usually high in fiber, low in calories and filled with flavor. You’ll find a whole host of these ‘traditional’ foods, including ziti, gnocchi, rigatoni and cavatelli. These foods provide convenience as well as nourishment, making them perfect for weight loss.
Make It a Family Affair
Who doesn’t love to indulge themselves after a long day? However, eating habits that the whole family develops together is the best way to maintain a healthy weight. Invite your spouse, your kids and even your grandparents to indulge in some pizza, pasta and risotto alongside you. By doing this, you’ll not only be serving yourself, but you’ll also be encouraging the family to eat healthier together. Family meals are often times the most relaxed, informal and enjoyable times of the day. Why not make them a healthy meal?
Shop The Local Markets
There are lots of markets throughout Italy where you can buy organic and locally grown produce, including herbs and vegetables. The closer you stay to your home, the more accessible these markets are, but you can also find local markets in Italian cities, even those far from the coast. Look for markets that have a wide range of organic products, allowing you to choose something that fits your budget. This way, you’ll be supporting the local economy while also eating healthy. It’s a win-win situation!
Make Small Changes
If losing weight is a goal of yours, you’ll want to make some changes regarding what you consume. One of the simplest ways to achieve this is by making small changes to existing habits. For example, if you want to lose weight, you could substitute a meal with a smart drink, have a glass of wine instead of a cocktail, or swap a dessert for an aïoli dip. These are just some of the changes you could make to shed extra pounds. Look for foods that are light in color and tasteless so that you don’t notice that you’re consuming fewer calories. It’s a good idea to keep a food diary for a week or so, noting down what you eat and how much you eat. From there, you can determine which changes suit you best and make the necessary adjustments. You might find that having a drink or two with dinner helps you to eat less. Or, perhaps you’ll discover that certain foods seem to make you gain weight, no matter how many calories you consume. Only you know which change is the best for you.
No matter what your reasons for wanting to lose weight are, eating healthier is the best way to go about it. With plenty of delicious foods that are good for you, it’s easy to overeat. However, the key to staying fit is by limiting the foods that you consume. Substituting sweets with healthier alternatives such as fruit or veggies helps to regulate blood sugar and maintains a healthy weight. If you’re not used to eating this way, it can be difficult to change your established habits. This is why it’s best to take it one step at a time and make gradual changes. If you’ve been thinking about trying out a low-fat, gluten-free diet, then why not give it a shot? You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much you’ll benefit from eating a diet that’s good for you and how much weight you’ll easily shed.