By Carleton Rivers, MS, RD, LD
Dining on Italian cuisine in America often includes a platter of pasta or a large pizza pie, both of which are loaded with carbohydrates, fat, and plenty of calories. These types of dishes are usually the first to go when a person embarks on a new diet or lifestyle change. But by embracing more traditional recipes and limiting portion sizes, Italian food can be a great fit for a healthy diet. Italian cuisine is unique within each region of Italy; however, all areas use fresh, seasonal ingredients with an emphasis on vegetables, grains, and olive oil.