Italian food ranks consistently among the most well-loved cuisines in the world. You might order Italian food with no expectations of eating a healthy meal, but the ingredients in Italian fare are actually quite good for you. So, the next time to take a bite out of a delectable Italian meal, know that you are also giving your body much-needed nutrients.
Pasta
Naturally, many Italian restaurants are renown for their delicious pasta dishes. In recent years, however, pasta has gotten a bad rap among dieticians.
Pasta is a great source of carbohydrates. When your body digests carbohydrates, like those in pasta, it converts them to sugars that are then stored and used as energy sources. Carbohydrates are not in and of themselves "bad"--quite the opposite. Take endurance athletes, like marathon runners, for example; these athletes are among the healthiest people in the world, and they consume a diet comprised mostly of carbohydrates!
When ordering Italian cuisine, opt for whole wheat pastas instead of white or enriched pastas. Whole wheat pasta contains more fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Not only that, but as a complex carbohydrate, it is not immediately converted to sugars. As a result, it will not spike your blood sugar levels.
Herbs
Nearly all Italian restaurants mix and match four primary herbs: basil, garlic, oregano, and rosemary. Each of these herbs have significant nutritional value.
Cheese
A startling number of Canadians do not get enough calcium. If you have a calcium deficiency, you face an increased risk of developing osteoporosis, cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and arthritis, just to name a few. Cheese is one of the most calcium-packed foods available--and also one of the most delicious. Italian cuisine incorporates many cheese varieties, including Mozzarella, Parmesan, Asiago, and Provolone. Aside from the calcium-rich benefits of cheese, this ingredient also delivers protein, vitamins B and A, phosphorous, and zinc.
The more the look, the more you will see that different ethnic cuisines have a variety of health benefits. So, take a closer look at the ingredients in Indian, Thai, and even the Greek food served at places like Athens Restaurant.
Share1 April 2015
Welcome to my website. My name is Joanne Taylor. My family and I love eating out at restaurants, but with there being five of us, it can get expensive. In order to be able to continue to indulge in the luxury of eating at restaurants, my husband and I have come up with ways to order and save money. We always thought that ordering kids meals for young children was the cheapest way to go. But we found in many cases, it’s less expensive to order one regular meal and let our two youngest children split it. We make use of coupons whenever possible, restaurant daily specials, early bird specials, and other money savers. I’m going to share some of the ways we’ve been creative in the hope that you will find some useful tips.
