Who hasn't dreamed of mouthwatering Italian food, filled with unforgettable aromas? Everyone can agree that Italian cuisine is one of the most unique in the world, full of dishes that bring comfort and joy with every bite.
While there’s no country (or very few, at least), where you can’t get pizza or pasta, if you ask Italians, they’ll immediately tell you that nothing compares to traditional Italian food. Well, with that, many people visiting Italy can’t avoid gaining weight.
Indulging in all the tasty food is one of the best parts of traveling to Italy and we certainly can’t blame anyone for wanting to enjoy every bite. However, if you’re looking to balance, you should know that Italian has a lot of healthy options that won’t compromise your goals. Today, we’ll discuss 5 of those healthy traditional foods in Italy.
1. Pizza Margherita
You might be surprised to see pizza on a list of healthy foods. But guess what? Pizza Margherita definitely earned this spot with its simple and fresh ingredients. In general, if you’ve tried pizzas from countries other than Italy, you’ll know that they mostly feel heavy due to a thick crust and unhealthy oil. However, pizzas in Italy have a very thin crust and mostly healthy toppings.
Traditional Margherita contains tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, topped with basil leaves and olive oil. This is a combination of protein, vitamins, healthy oils, and, of course, traditional flavor.
Locals devour Margherita at any time possible, even while watching sports, considering Italians are famous sports enthusiasts and enjoy betting on and cheering for their favorite players. Recently, snacking on pizza Margherita has become a common activity in Italy while watching a boxing match with friends, regardless of the number of rounds the fight goes. Its light nature makes it a companion for maintaining a balance while watching sports events.
2. Caprese Salad
There’s probably no salad that’s as delicious, satisfying, simple, and healthy at the same time as Caprese. This salad is one of the most traditional Italian dishes, popular amongst all tourists who visit Italy. It is created with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, olive oil, and balsamico, which is a balsamic vinegar.
All those ingredients make a great source of nutrients. Specifically, mozzarella is full of protein and calcium, which improves muscle function and strengthens bones. Typically, mozzarella in Caprese is made from buffalo. Tomatoes provide vitamins A and C and the rest of the ingredients are some great options for antioxidants. All those together create a great healthy dish and an amazing Mediterranean taste.
3. Frittata
If you’re trying to find a healthy breakfast food while in Italy, frittata is an incredible option for it. This dish is very similar to an omelet, a quiche with no crust, or just regular scrambled eggs. The difference is that a frittata, aside from eggs, is made with different kinds of vegetables, like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini. So basically, it’s an Italian, authentic version of an omelet.
Considering how frittata is made, it is full of protein and vitamins. It’s important to mention that it’s a very light dish so it’s not going to make you feel uncomfortable throughout the day and it’s a great opportunity to start your day with a healthy Italian meal and not gain weight.
4. Panzanella
Panzanella is another wonderful Italian salad dish, which is a must-try for those who want to stay healthy while visiting Italy. It originated from the Tuscany region and even though it’s called a bread salad, actually it’s not at all carb-loaded. Instead, it’s a refreshing and wholesome dish made with chunks of day-old bread, which is why it’s considered healthy.
This salad is made out of stale bread, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and olive oil, which adds the traditional Mediterranean taste to the dish. Panzanella is ideal for a light lunch or as a side dish and it’s full of fiber and antioxidants.
5. Grigliata di Pesce
If you visit regions of Italy that are on the coast, make sure to taste the local fish. Grigliata di Pesce, translated as grilled fish, is an astonishing dish for fish lovers and it’s very healthy as well. Mixed with herbs and spices, it’s a great example of traditional Italian marine flavors.
Typically, to prepare this meal, Italians use branzino, which is a Mediterranean sea bass or orata, known as gilthead bream. Sometimes sardines are used too. They are a source of protein and omega-3, along with very necessary fatty acids so those who are fond of fish should not miss out on Pesce alla Griglia.
Bottom Line
Now that you know about those incredible traditional Italian foods, nothing should stop you from enjoying Italian cuisine. And yes, you can certainly maintain your physical shape if you consume these delicacies in moderation! As amazing as Italian cuisine is, you will definitely enjoy your healthy meals and explore even more during your trip to Italy.
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