Healthy eating in… Italy
Monday May 17, 2010Trading in more fattening cuisine for lighter options, means you can still enjoy the delights of Italy without worrying about your weight.
There’s something really satisfying about getting in shape for your break – and our Summer Diet can help. But when you’ve shed the pounds and toned up so you look great and feel confident while you’re away, why go back to square one by piling it on again on before you return?
Yes, holidays are all about indulgence. But you can eat delicious dishes and have fun, while staying healthy and trim.
So don’t come back with a holiday waist hangover, instead let our swaps show you how to stay on course in Italy.
Always remember…
Tomato or garlic pizza bread as a pre-starter nibble will clock up 300cals at least before you start your main meal. So ask for a bowl of marinated chopped vegetables instead.
Starters orders
Minestrone soup instead of fried courgette flowers
You can tuck into a fabulous bowl of Mama’s homemade minestrone soup for as little as 120cals compared to a minimum of 250cals for battered and fried courgette flowers, which are tempting, but on a similar nutritional footing to an onion bhaji.
Parma ham and melon instead of salami anti-pasti
Like minestrone, Parma ham and melon make an excellent lean Italian starter, with just 120cals per plate. Compare this with a small serving of salami-based anti-pasti, with 438cals and you can see there’s no competition.
In the main
Spaghetti napolitano instead of carbonara
A simple tomato-based sauce on a bowl of perfectly cooked spaghetti will give you around 400cals, which is half of the 800cals you can expect in a creamy carbonara. If you really love the latter, then go halves with your dining partner.
Baked chicken with rosemary and vegetables instead of lasagna
Keeping meals simple is the best way to watch your calories. This beautiful combination of chicken and herbs has just 410cals against at least 600cals for a modestly sized lasagna.
Steak in tomato and olive sauce instead of lamb chops alla diavola
No cuisine likes its lamb more than Italian. But swap a plate of three traditional lamb chops with 650cals for this grilled steak in a wonderfully more-ish sauce and the calories plummet to just 420.
Just dessert
Big bowl of fresh strawberries with 100cals instead of the 420cals in tiramisu.
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