Food, honestly, has another dimension: it is the past, the delight, the masterpiece, and at times, the battleground of our fears. If you ever felt guilty after eating spaghetti, got anxious about how “pure” your salad was, or became obsessed with the newest superfood, then you should know that you are not the only one. But what if there was another road-a road that glorifies food, gives the body and spirit what they need, and leaves the guilt out?
If you stayed in Italy for a week, you would witness spectacular food culture meals that are not only slow but also social and filled with laughter. The ingredients come from farmers nearby; they are fresh and seasonal. Italians not only do not rush through dinner, but also do not count calories at the table. They, however, savor each taste, and most of the time, they walk off their meals in the beautiful, pedestrian-friendly towns. There is no talk about “earning” your food or punishing yourself for liking it.
The approach is quite a contrast to the typical American one, where food is generally understood as a list of numbers, calories, macros, and cholesterol; the pleasure of eating might be kept as a little secret, which would make one feel guilty. The prominence of “clean eating” and fanaticism with food purity has generated yet another source of anxiety: orthorexia nervosa. According to the paper, orthorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that features a person’s excessive preoccupation with the healthiness of the diet and the impurity of foods, accompanied by anxiety, social withdrawal, and even malnourishment. The perpetual hunt for “clean” foods can strip the joy of eating and turn food into a source of stress instead of being a bond.
However, the twist is here: the lowest rates of obesity and eating disorders are found in cultures that accept pleasure, tradition, and social bonding through food, like Italy and Japan. Italians with their pasta, cheese, and ham, pickled, are nothing less than electric enthusiasm; anyhow, the rate of obesity in Italy is below 10 percent and has been steady for the last several decades. They neither try to escape certain kinds of foods, nor are consumed by the “good” and “bad” ingredients thinking. What they do is to focus on quality, seasonality, and having meals together.
So, what is the secret? Moderation, not deprivation. Italians consume smaller portions, do not hurry, and rarely eat alone. Food is not a social event, but they are not rushed pit stops either. There is no “get-in-get-out” mentality-restaurants do not bring the check until you ask for it. This slow, mindful approach encourages people to become more aware of their hunger and satisfaction, instead of eating out of habit or stress.
Food culture is also a matter of diversity and inclusion. Enjoying meals of different traditions can expand our knowledge of the world and help create community. The way we talk about food reflects our values-whether we view eggs as “breakfast” or “cholesterol,” pasta as “pleasure” or “carbs.” These perspectives affect not only our health but also our happiness.
Nutrition science confirms that balanced and varied diets are very beneficial. The Mediterranean diet, made up of vegetables, fruits, nuts, fish, and olive oil, is very effective in preventing the occurrence of chronic diseases such as asthma, heart disease, and cancer. As a matter of fact, the less we consume ultra-processed snacks and the more we eat whole foods, the fresher and more varied our food choices will be, and this will have a great influence on how we feel.
The best and most healthy relationship with food is the one that takes into account learning and delight, heritage and flexibility, and science and pleasure. It is all about recognizing your body’s requirements, eating with others, and not feeling guilty. Perhaps Italians have the right point: eat good food, have a lot of fun, and always keep in mind that food is there to be enjoyed, not feared.