Hello Everybody,
Not too many Italian women need to lose weight. Italy has one of the lowest obesity rates in the world. Only 10 percent of Italians are obese compared with 34 percent of North Americans and 23 percent British. So 90 percent of Italians must be doing something right.
They are doing a lot right. Not only do they enjoy their food they eat the right food.
This is how they do it.
Breakfast. This is always eaten, but it will be a small meal. Just coffee and a roll with jam or maybe a small biscuit.
Mid-morning. Just coffee. Italians know a lot about coffee, but they do not always drink a high calorie- laden latte or cappuccino. A small coffee with milk - not cream - or an espresso is often preferred.
Lunch. This is eaten sitting down. It will consist of a salad or pasta followed by fish or chicken and vegetables.
Dinner. A family meal, it is similar to lunch. Pasta with a tomato or vegetable sauce, a second course of lean meat or fish with vegetables and fruit to follow. Red wine or mineral water is enjoyed with the meal.
Italians take their time. Meals are social occasions not to be rushed. Portions are small and people stop eating when they are full. Snacking is not common, but snacks are likely to be fruit, or a handful of nuts or a few olives. Of course, Italians do not eat just one type of food. There are many regional dishes. In Tuscany the food is rich in beans, in the south more fish and lemons are eaten, but there is always olive oil for garnishing and cooking.
Italians do not think exercise equals pumping iron at a gym. There are plenty of keen cyclists and skiers. Swimming is easy enough, as the sea is mostly not far away. Football is a national passion. But for many a postprandial stroll is as much exercise as they get. Given the food they eat, and perhaps the energy put into a conversation between friends, it is enough.
I generalise, but there seems to be an Italian attitude of mind that appreciates good health and with it good appearance. The North Americans and British want to look attractive when they are young. But many over 40 do not care what they look like or conceal the results of over-eating with a good tailor. In Italy there is a tradition of the attractive older man and woman. Of course they cannot all afford to dress in Armani and drive fast red cars , but they would like to. So there is the motivation to keep slim and fit and the good fortune to live the lifestyle to achieve it.
What does this tell people in those countries on the junk food route to mass obesity? It tells them that it may not be easy to live like the Italians, the culture is just not there. But we can try to eat their diet. We can have small breakfasts, cut out snacks and high-calorie coffee, eat more fruit, vegetables, lean meat and fish. When we eat out we can order small portions at an Italian restaurant and not patronise the kid’s favourite fast food outlet. Exercise will be needed every day, as we cannot rely just on diet to keep us slim. Have an hour’s walking should take care of that.
It is possible to lose weight and stay slim like the Italian women. We know how they do it - now we should just do it ourselves.
See you soon,
Peter Stockwell
8 August 2010
Photo. Dudrinovman (Flickr)
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