People often think that Italian food is overly rich, drenched in heavy sauces and filled with creamy cheeses; foods such as lasagna, manicotti, ravioli, etc. It’s not much of a stretch to make then; that one would assume Italian food is not a healthy cuisine choice. In fact -nothing can be further from the truth. As with all cuisines, there are Italian dishes of extreme decadence; foods filled with fats, high in calories, loaded with sugar, but the majority of Italian dishes are very simplistic, composed of a few very healthy ingredients and packed with flavor.
Consider the fats: Olive oil and extra virgin olive oil is used in almost every savory food preparation. Olive oils contain monounsaturated fats (known to reduce bad cholesterol) and they contain antioxidants. Butter is very rarely used in an Italian kitchen.
Check out the garden: Tomatoes are an integral part of an Italians daily diet. Fresh tomatoes make the most incredible sauce, and add freshness, acidity and flavor to sauces and greens. They introduce you body to an abundant source of Vitamin C and Vitamin K. Tomatoes are also very versatile, they can be pickled, roasted, crushed, pureed or served fresh.
The bounty of the sea: Seafood is found almost everywhere in Italy. Most Italians incorporate several meals per week of fish and shellfish into their diets. Instead of slathering on heavy or oil-based sauces, most Italians make a gremolata by mixing garlic, citrus zest and parsley or other herbs and sprinkle it over their prepared fish to add an exquisite burst of flavor. Shellfish is delicately poached, steamed or grilled and flavored with lemon and other fresh herbs.
Since garlic has been mentioned, I would be remiss not to discuss the fact that Italian cuisine does indeed include this flavorful cousin of the onion; just not in the copious amounts many people think. Recent studies have indicated that garlic contributes to a healthy heart, and may indeed decrease the chances of developing certain types of cancer.
Historically, the Italian diet has not consisted of many processed foods. That tradition continues to the present day and whole grains are used in the making of bread flours and pasta. Whole grains are known to digest slowly resulting in better regulation of the glycemic index in the blood.
So, mangia! Eat simple. Eat healthy. Eat Italian! Come visit one of the top Italian restaurants Orlando, Christini’s Ristorante Italiano, to eat authentically Italian.