Healthy Italian Food

January 22nd, 2010 | Author: admin

Italian food is one of the most popular cuisines in the world, and it’s as versatile as it is delicious. While many enjoy the thick cream sauces, pizzas topped with cured meats, and cheesy pastas, Italian can actually be quite healthy when prepared with authentic and traditional ingredients. For healthy Italian food, consider preparing meals with the following advice.

When cooking pasta, stick to low-fat and vegetable-based sauces instead of cream sauces. Tomato sauces, especially those made from scratch, can be great sources of your daily vegetable requirements. Or as an alternative, simply add olive oil and garlic to your pasta. Olive oil is one of the key ingredients to great Italian food, and it’s packed with monosaturated fats that can help prevent heart disease. Garlic is great for this, too, plus it can boost your immune system. You can also find whole grain pasta noodles for fiber, and adding fresh Italian vegetables like zucchini, eggplant and tomatoes will give your pasta an extra healthy boost.

Other Italian foods and condiments can also be incorporated into your diet to supplement a healthy lifestyle. Balsamic vinegar, a natural antioxidant and digestive aid, can bring out the full flavor of any meat, and sula honey, made in the Italian countryside, is a great alternative to sugar and can be spread over warm bread or added to a cup of tea. And one of the greatest products of Italy- red wine- is a wonderful, heart-healthy compliment to any Italian meal.

For Italian food that supports a healthy lifestyle, stick to natural and veggie-based products that Italians love so much. Your meals will be both guilt-free and delicious!

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