An Italian diet is usually associated with mounds of pasta, pizza and pastries. In reality, the typical Italian diet is loaded with vegetables and healthy carbohydrates, which could make it an ideal way to cut calories, eat healthier and lose weight. Before you go on an Italian daily diet, weigh the pros and cons carefully to decide if it's the right choice for you and your appetite, and always consult your doctor before going on any diet.
Stipulations
Switching to an Italian daily diet doesn't mean slurping up pasta for every meal. It means a focus on healthy, roasted vegetables, whole grains and moderation. Italians are known for their flavorful cooking, which means you can have plenty of good taste, even when on the diet. Choose lean cuts of meat that are added for flavor, rather than being the centerpiece of a meal. Choose whole-grain versions of your favorite pasta, and look for flavorful ways to prepare Italian favorites.
Function
An Italian daily diet is meant to help you increase your intake of whole grains and vegetables and decrease your caloric intake. Authentic Italian foods and dishes focus on ingredients such as heart-healthy olive oil and roasted vegetables, and on taking time to sit and enjoy your food, notes Jennifer LaRue Huget of The Washington Post. Big flavor and smaller portion sizes mean you're satisfied with less and have a healthier attitude toward food.
Advantages
The advantages of the Italian daily diet could include weight loss, heart-healthy ingredients, and a feeling of satiety you may not get with other diets. An Italian diet means you can eat many of your favorites, such as pasta, pizza and lasagna. By preparing foods the authentic Italian way, you cut the fat and calories while retaining the nutrients you need.
Disadvantages
While the Italian daily diet has the potential to help you lose weight and feel better, it can also make you gain weight if done the wrong way. Americanized Italian food is nowhere near as healthy as authentic fare, relying heavily on enriched carbohydrate products, fatty meats, unhealthy oils and a lack of vegetables. Following the Italian diet will only work if you commit to cooking and enjoying your food the Italian way, with minimal serving sizes and a focus on the quality of food rather than the quantity.
Food Choices
Italian mornings start with a light breakfast of coffee and perhaps a cornetto (croissant), notes LifeInItaly.com. A snack is the same, while lunch consists of a healthy serving of whole-grain pasta with a fruit salad, both packed with healthy carbohydrates and fruit to fill you up. Dinner might consist of a thin-crust Marguerita-style pizza with sauce, a small helping of cheese, and fresh tomatoes layered over the top.
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