Many travelers from the United States are often shocked when they arrive in Italy and are met with food options such as pasta, bread, cheese, wine, and pizza. Although this might seem like a daunting diet, Italian food and ingredients often have a very different effect than if one were to eat this diet in the United States. Why is there such a difference between these two food systems?

The Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet
Before diving into what the food in Italy is composed of, it is important to understand what the general Mediterranean diet is. Although this diet can change based on the region or what someones personal food choices are, these are the general guidelines.