Thursday 10 November 2011

Why don't Italians get fat?

It's a question that puzzles us all. Bologna itself has been nicknamed 'la grassa' (the fat one) because of its cuisine. Simply put: CARBS! How can Italians eat so many carbs and still stay so slim?

Well, I think I've figured it out. I think part of it has to do with some special gene that makes their metabolisms work at an enviably speed. Part of it also has to do with the fact that, in Bologna at least, Italians walk or cycle almost everywhere. It's the fastest way around given the confusing road plans that makes getting to the street opposite mean driving through half the city first.
The other part has to do with their attitude towards food. Whilst many tourists come to Italy mainly to indulge, and I do mean in the most gluttonous way possible, Italians eat incredible food everyday of their lives. And because of this easy access to pizza, pasta and dolce delights, they indulge in very small quantities. After all, true Italian pizza will still be available tomorrow. So, yes the Italian do love a good carb fest, but they also know how to enjoy food in healthy quantities. This is something that I've finally come to understand. I'm here for an entire year; there's no need to eat everything in sight at the count of 3.

Another reason for the Italians' healthy attitude towards food is due to the important part that food plays in Italian culture. I've mentioned in previous blogs that dinner is an important time of day for Italians. Dinner preparations can take hours, as can the whole affair of dining. For this reason, food is eaten slowly, in small quantities, and often without 'second helpings'. Fast food isn't the done thing in Italy. Food is too important to be fast.

So, you may come to Italy with the intention of eating your way through the country and leaving with an extra few pounds as a souvenir of the experience, but the people that live here know how good their food is and enjoy it in guilt-free quanitites.

But, of course, secretly I do think it's all to do with their amazing metabolisms.

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