| The Italian food pyramid is a version of the US | | | | seeds, olives, and olive oil. This is always going to |
| Department of Agriculture food pyramid but aimed at | | | | make for good healthy food, packed with vitamins and |
| those who use them a Mediterranean diet, or Italian | | | | minerals. There is also much more emphasis on eating |
| diet. The original food pyramid was designed to try and | | | | fish and shellfish at least twice a week. |
| reverse the growing trend of heart disease and other | | | | Is been shown over the last few years that the |
| diseases caused by bad nutrition and bad diet. In the | | | | healthiness of the Mediterranean diet has got a lot to |
| US this is because the population has more than | | | | do with the fact that Italians and Mediterranean on the |
| tendency to eat junk food and skimp on the essential | | | | whole have far less chronic diseases which are |
| vitamins provided by fruits and vegetables. | | | | associated with the Western diet such as heart |
| So how does the Italian food pyramid differ? The | | | | attacks and strokes etc. The Italian food pyramid is |
| Italian food pyramid basically concentrates on more of | | | | one of the most nutritious food pyramids in the world. It |
| the foods that make up the Mediterranean diet. There | | | | is also one of the tastiest food pyramids to follow. |
| is much more of an emphasis on eating foods that | | | | Italian cuisine, along with all Mediterranean cuisines, |
| have a plant origin. Not only are fruits and vegetables | | | | incorporates some of the best foods that are grown in |
| eaten a lot more by the Italians and Mediterranean's, | | | | the region. |
| but they also eat many more grains, legumes, nuts, | | | | |