We’ve all heard about how the French diet and lifestyle help protect Frenchwomen (and men) from the obesity epidemic that plagues the U.S. But what about the other Mediterranean countries — like Italy, where obesity is rare despite an abundance of pasta and other delectable dishes?

Are there Italian diet secrets we could learn from as well? Studies show that a Mediterranean-style diet has many health benefits, from reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer, to living a longer life. But something must be getting lost in translation. Many of Americans’ favorite Italian foods, like cheese-laden pepperoni pizza and fettuccini Alfredo, are anything but healthy.

Italian Diet Secrets