What is the story about?
It sounds like a dream. Vacation in your Summer fits in one of the most wildly popular and scenic places in the world, do what you want, eat what you want -
and still not gain a single kilogram? Those that haven't experienced the magic for themselves may dismiss this as an internet hoax or a narrative that's just fueled by the number of views it gets. But, there is some truth to it.
Is it 'impossible' to gain weight in Italy?
Yes, and no. Indiscriminate eating and sedentary living will show up on your body - for some, it's almost instant; for the lucky ones, maybe a little later - but not 'never'. That being said, there are a few defining factors that give Italy an edge in this regard. As per a report shared by Dr. Steven Masley on his eponymous website, the answer is hidden in the pasta. Now unless you're oddly sadistic, there's no reason you won't be piling up on the pasta during your Italy trip - and everything, right from the portion sizes served right down to how it's cooked, contributes to the phenomenon under the spotlight.He explains: "In Italy, they commonly serve 1 to 1.5 ounces of dry pasta, which is 2-3 ounces cooked, and in a fine dining restaurant, the serving will often be even smaller. They don’t have a second serving either, as this is a defined course that comes with a full dinner," adding, "A full meal may include antipasto (an appetizer), the primi piatti (the first course) which is typically pasta or rice served with a tomato sauce, seafood, or with vegetables, followed by a secondi piatti (the second or main course) which is some form of protein, plus a side serving of vegetables. And finally fruit for dessert. The bottom line is that they eat a modest pasta portion (likely half or one-third of what we would eat) and they don’t get an extra serving." For context, serving portions elsewhere on the globe, are almost double in comparison, with second servings being more common than not.
Next, cooking your pasta al dente, is actually more important than it sounds - and they take this very, very seriously in Italy. Pasta tends to have lower glycemic index owing to its density. Dr. Masley's report states: "The longer you cook your pasta, the less dense it becomes, and the greater the rise in glycemic load after eating it. So don’t eat overcooked pasta!" Add to this the fact that most of Europe avoids genetically modified (GMO) wheat owing to its high inflammatory score and an abundance of fibre and protein is always served with the main meal in accordance with the Mediterranean diet - and the equation starts feeling clearer. And the cherry on top? The Italian tradition of 'fare una passeggiata', or taking a stroll after dinner.
As a matter of fact, it may even be possible to lose weight on your Italian getaway! Influencer Ben Reid tracked his weight before and after his Italy trip last year, also sharing palpable proof of him gorging on the best of Italian eats. His second weigh in showed him having gone down by 2 lbs.
