Ah! The Mediterranean diet! UNESCO Intangible Heritage, the way of life all the world envies to the countries of the Mare Nostrum. We Italians based almost our entire cuisine on it: plenty of vegetables, good starches, fish, extra virgin olive oil and, of course, a healthy half-tumbler of wine with each meal. The image of the country, in fact, is so tied to that of a health based on good food and proper eating habits, that saying “Italian” brings to mind almost univocally the image of someone with a good appetite and a joyful attachment to food, but always fit and healthy.
There is a lot of truth in all of this, but all that glitters is not gold, in the end.
It may be time to delve deeper into the reasons why Italy is, for real, one of the healthiest countries on Earth and why, at the same time, it may also be at risk of losing this very important title.
Italy is healthy, reason one: eating well
The Bloomberg Healthiest Country Index ranks Italy as the second healthiest place in the world after Spain — and it was a class call, ladies and gentlemen: Spain won for less than a point.
That two Mediterranean countries are at the top of the list is the best tribute to their diet, of course. Even in the northern regions of the Belpaese, where food tends to be heavier with cheese and meats due to the more continental style of cooking, the classic Mediterranean triad, olive oil, wheat and wine (in moderation, of course), remains crucial. That triad is, for historians, the very reason why great civilizations developed around the Mediterranean: people were, quite simply, well fed and we all know that Man can do great things on a full stomach.
One could really say that “eating well” is in Italy’s DNA. I am fairly sure you noticed that as well, either in your Italian friends and family, or even in yourself. Italians know what vegetables are in season and only buy those; they use very little butter or other animal fat, preferring extra virgin olive oil, with which they cook, add flavor to dishes and dress their salads. They know how to cook pulses and healthy grains, because they both are part of traditional recipes and they tend to love fruit, because there is so much of it in the country.
It’s easy to eat healthy in Italy: anything and everything grows here and our meat and fish are fantastic. But there is a lot of culture and tradition behind it, too: the way Italians eat comes from way back and you can really say we unconsciously teach a little history every time we cook a meal.
Italy is healthy, reason number two: having the right attitude
One of the things that strikes non-Italians the most is the attitude to life of locals. Far from passing the message that in Italy everyone is stress free and lives an enchanted life on the hills of Tuscany, there is certainly some truth in the idea that Italians have an eye for what really counts in life: it may come from the fact many of us grew up in extended families with their grandparents, and learnt from their generation, or quite simply, that the centrality of the family in Italian tradition kept us focused on the real important things: health, the people near us, the small pleasures in life.
Italy is healthy, reason number three: moving!
Italians are known for being a tad reckless on the road, but you know what? We don’t always drive! In Italy, cycling and walking around town is very common and that can be a pretty good form of exercise, especially if you do it daily. We are just used to walk, really… and the beauty of our cities — along with the dreadful traffic, let’s be honest — may be an incentive to do it. And we love hiking: it’s not a case trekking in the Alps is one of the country’s favorite activities.
Italy is unhealthy, reason number one: smoking too much
The smoking ban was enforced in 2005, yet the number of Italians addicted to nicotine remains high. In fact, it rose in 2018, according to the Higher Health Institute. Italian women and teenagers are the heaviest smokers and the number of e-cigarettes has gone down. All in all, 22% of Italians smoke and about 30% of smokers said they did try to quit but miserably failed. Just to give you an idea, only about 14% of Americans puffs on ciggies nowadays. Italy: take a leaf off America and quit.
Italy is unhealthy, reason number two: eating too much sugar
In spite of having one of the healthiest diets in the world, as we said, Italians have been consuming more and more refined products and sugars, especially at breakfast. That cornetto e cappuccino at the café in the morning may be delicious, but it does pack quite a lot of empty calories. Children love their cookies and milk before school too, and, while cereals are also a popular option, they are often sugary, just like the one in the US. Healthy eaters do love their fruit and yogurts in the morning, just like everyone else in the world, but let’s just say they are not as common as you may believe in the Belpaese.
Italy is unhealthy, reason number three: bureaucracy
It may sound like a joke or pure nonsense, considering I’ve just written Italians live life at a slower pace, but stress is a problem here, too. And if you ask Italians the number one reason for their stress, they’re likely to say burocrazia, bureaucracy. Endless queues, offices open only two hours a day, rude employees, coffee breaks that last longer than a five set tennis match, cumbersome, complex regulations: going to any office is a dreadful experience, one that is bound to fill you with anticipation anxiety most of the time. Thankfully, we are learning to do things online!
And so, what do you think? Is Italy a healthy or unhealthy country to be in? All in all, I still think it’s a pretty amazing place to live…in spite of the cigarettes and the post office queues: let’s take a deep breath, have a nice caffé and think of that beautiful family dinner tonight: that should be enough to put a smile back on our faces.
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