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Original poster

What IS it about italian food?

125 replies

ptumbi · 09/05/2019 15:31

I've just read another article from a well-known chef who is spouting one of the wonders of the known world that is Italian food. I get it, it's (supposed to be) healthy and lovely and full of sunshine and goodness...

BUT - is it? I Low-carb, and don't eat pasta, bread, pizza. In fact, when cooking for my young kids, I realised that pasta is generally flour and water pap. Mixed with oil, or cream, or meat sauces. It is that 'golden' ratio of carbs and fat that our bodies look for (hence doughnuts, cheese sandwiches etc being so delicious) but it's not actually very good for you!

This Chef was invited (of course) to an authentic 3-course lunch at an authentic rural family's smallholding, and fed in the sunshine surrounded by screaming happy children running about. Idyllic, yes? Hmm And of course there was the obligatory 'nonna' sitting next to her, smiling and making 'mmmm' noises.

I went to Naples last year, looking forward to the food (I don't low-carb on holiday). I had an 'authentic' Neapolitan Pizza which was basically a hard base, covered in watery tomato goop, and with a few Basil leaves chucked on top. Yummy. Not.

Everywhere we ate, the food was bog-standard - in fact we get better 'Italian' in the UK.

'Italian' food is vastly overrated. IMHO.

OP posts:
PinkHeartLovesCake · 09/05/2019 15:41

realised that pasta is generally flour and water pap Can you actually cook pasta? Sounds like your doing it wrong to be honest. Pasta is only pap if one boils it too long.....

Many other counties eat carbs and aren’t all fat, so not really sure carbs are evil to be honest. Nothing wrong with carbs and fat, problem is eating too much as many people do

Not sure where you ate in Naples but I’ve been many times and never had a bad meal. Simple food but it’s done really well

Just doesn’t suit your palate

Thisnamechanger · 09/05/2019 15:47

YABU. And low-carb is not a verb.

gotmychocolateimgood · 09/05/2019 15:48

Italian food is the best imo. Yabu

Interested in this thread?

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General food Weight management
managedmis · 09/05/2019 15:48

I agree op.

Pasta tastes shit and is nutritionally poor.

Pipandmum · 09/05/2019 15:51

Italian food is not all pasta and pizza. Last time I was there we had pizza once and pasta once. I agree Italian pizza is bland to my taste.
It’s not so much Italian as Mediterranean food that’s good for you: you know, fresh fruit and veg, olive oil, nothing processed.

PCohle · 09/05/2019 15:55

Thinking that carbohydrates "aren't actually very good for you" is a personal opinion rather than a gospel truth though.

"Low-carbing" may be a diet that works well for you, and others, to control weight, but it doesn't necessarily reflect standard nutritional advice nor represent the only way to eat healthy.

listsandbudgets · 09/05/2019 15:57

Astonished about the pizza. I've been to Italy many times and travelled about quite a bit and never had what I'd call a bad pizza from a decent resturant, a small bakers or a market stall or well anywhere really.

Lots of sea food and meat in their diet too along with loads of veg - its not all pizza / pasta

EssentialHummus · 09/05/2019 15:58

Well, if you’re eating a low-carb diet, typical Italian food is probably not for you.

Bluntness100 · 09/05/2019 16:01

I'm not sure where you ate and I'm no fan of Naples, it's really a very built up not very nice Italian city, but there are many fabulous Italian restaurants in Italy and pasta and pizza is only two of the options, many Italian dishes are actually meat based, and you can accompany with fab salads and veg.

I'd maybe do a bit more research before you slag off a whole countries cuisine as you just look like and uneducated racist fool.

Oliversmumsarmy · 09/05/2019 16:03

I think we eat pasta as a main course but when ever I have been to friends house who are Italian they eat pasta as a starter, eg small bowl of pasta with a little sauce which is then mixed in to coat the pasta, followed by meat course with vegetables and or salad.

missperegrinespeculiar · 09/05/2019 16:05

OP, sorry, but you don't know what you are talking about! YABU!

CostanzaG · 09/05/2019 16:11

I'm currently on holiday in Italy and the food is amazing!! The pasta and pizza is some of the nicest I've ever had.

Ali1cedowntherabbithole · 09/05/2019 16:13

And Italian vegetable dishes?
And fish?
And slow cooked stews with pulses?

The OP reminds me of a holiday where a british couple complained because the Moussaka wasn't made properly, because it didn't have potatoes in it. We were in Rhodes. Grin

Tighnabruaich · 09/05/2019 16:14

They don't have pasta as a main course.
I don't recall having a bad meal there, just amazing fresh fish and meat, salad and vegetables - and yes pizza and pasta, but that was really tasty too.
Sitting out in the sun, or under the stars, I found eating in Italy a total pleasure.

littlemissmuffins · 09/05/2019 16:19

I love most Italian food and most spicy cuisines!! (Thai, Indian etc). Not the biggest fan of pizza though the DC would eat it every night of the week if they could.

There is a cafe around the corner from us and the food is amazing!! The penne arriabata(??) in particular. When the owners went back to Italy for 3 weeks we had withdrawal symptoms!!

NotExactlyHappyToHelp · 09/05/2019 17:08

YABU! Italian food is incredible!

I went to Rome earlier this year and I spent the entire time stuffing my face. It was beautiful. The fiori di zucca, supplí, cacio e pepe, gelato and so many more.

I found it to be really good food simply done.

It does help to wander away from the tourist routes and try to find something the locals use too.

PCohle · 09/05/2019 17:14

It sounds like you didn't choose very good restaurants in Naples.

Gilbert1A · 09/05/2019 17:16

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applesarerroundandshiny · 09/05/2019 17:17

I think you are thinking of Italian food a la Pizza Hut! As others have said, Italians eat a small portion of pasta for starters not a whole plate full.

You do realise that there is nothing wrong with carbs in moderation and that low-carb is essentially a fad diet? It's a weight loss tool .

NotExactlyHappyToHelp · 09/05/2019 17:17

Oops sorry it’s not AIBU Blush.

NotExactlyHappyToHelp · 09/05/2019 17:20

Shout out to the best goddamn pizza I’ve ever eaten. I could not stop myself from making little mmmm noises all the way through (and yes I ate the whole thing to myself Grin).

It’s ruined regular pizza for me.

What IS it about italian food?
FormerlyFrikadela01 · 09/05/2019 17:24

My heart always sinks when we have a meal out arranged and everyone fancies Italian... It always seems very boring to me and something I just can't get excited by.

However (and its a bit however) I have never been to Italy and would love to go and experience actual proper Italian food becasue I imagine that is amazing. At most Italian restaurants I've been to it does amount to pizza and pasta but I know the genuine cuisine is more than that.

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 09/05/2019 17:27

Did you buy the pizza in a tourist trap type location?

Prokupatuscrakedatus · 09/05/2019 17:32

Apart from that - it's not one big chunk "Italy" there are very different regional cuisines.
Pasta is not a main course to stuff you face with and there are varieties with and without egg which need different cooking times.

SherlockSays · 09/05/2019 17:42

I think you must have chosen a very, very poor place to have pizza in Italy for it to not be nice.. I couldn't bare to eat pizza in the uk for weeks after being in Rome.

And carbs are the best, hence Italian food is wonderful and very vegetarian friendly.