1. Traditional Doesn't Always Mean Healthy
Italian cuisine is considered one of the tastiest and most popular international cuisines. Italian dishes feature bold sauces, rich cheeses, hearty meats and huge portions. Food was, and still is, considered one of the greatest expressions of love in Italian culture. But all of these traditional Italian flavors can also make Italian food hard on a person's diet. If you want to make Italian dishes healthier, you need to find healthy alternatives to traditional ingredients.
2. Pick a Better Pasta
Pasta is a star in the world of Italian cuisine, so one of the easiest ways to make Italian dishes healthier is by making healthy pasta choices. Try whole wheat or whole grain pasta instead of the traditional white flour variety. It takes a little longer to cook, but it also gives your dish a nutty, earthy flavor. Lots of pasta manufacturers now make pastas enriched with vitamins and omega acids that benefit your heart and can help lower your cholesterol.
3. Get Cheesy
From pizza to lasagna, few Italian dishes would be complete without cheese. Cheeses like mozzarella and ricotta are rich in calcium, but can also be high in fat and calories. To make Italian dishes healthier without sacrificing flavor, use cheeses that specify they are low-fat or made from skim milk. Many dietitians also recommend substituting low-fat cottage cheese for ricotta in dishes like manicotti.
4. Leaner Meat Means Healthier Meals
Pepperoni, Italian sausage, meatballs -- what would Italian cuisine be without rich, hearty meats? Make healthy meat choices when you're cooking Italian by choosing extra-lean cuts of beef and pork. Skip the breading on dishes like veal parmigiana; try baking meatballs and grilling sausage instead of frying them in oil. Also consider substituting chicken or turkey in dishes that call for red meat; poultry gives the dish a whole different flavor, and it will be kinder to your heart.
5. Don't Forget the Side Dishes
The foods you serve on the side can also help keep traditional Italian fare healthier. Serve whole-grain bread with low-fat butter. If your main dish doesn't include vegetables, make sure your side dish does. Try serving steamed zucchini, eggplant drizzled in a little olive oil or a salad of fresh greens served with low-fat vinaigrette as an accompaniment to your Italian meal.
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