I’ve recently returned home from visiting the wonderful countries of Croatia and Italy and wanted to jot down some observations.
1. Americans eat often because we are hungry and rush to cram food down our throats so we can get back to work and create more stressful days for ourselves.
2. Croatians and Italians eat at a leisurely pace (as most other Europeans do, I’ve noticed). A meal is an opportunity to socialize with friends and loved ones. Laugh, eat a little, and drink a little. No rush. Eat while happy and not in a stressed state.
3. Fresh food is plentiful in both countries. While in Rome, my friend and I did not notice a single “regular” grocery store. We did however see farmer’s markets and small shops specializing in cheese, wine, olive oils, meat & charcuterie shops.
4. A little wine with every meal won’t kill you. Europeans drink small amounts with a meal, even lunch. However, I didn’t see people going crazy binge drinking like I see some fellow Americans do.
5. I indulged in foods that I usually wouldn’t eat while traveling because I wanted to enjoy life. What I did notice was that cheese and other dairy products, eggs, and wheat and gluten-containing foods didn’t wreak havoc on my body the way they do in the U.S. Perhaps the dairy is hormone-free and “cleaner” than U.S. commercialized dairy I sometimes consume? Perhaps the wheat I ate was not the modern-day version that is prevalent in the States and therefore less irritating to my gut? Or maybe it’s as simple as being on vacation eases my mind and therefore allows me to fully relax, letting go of any stresses in my life — leading me to believe that it’s not the food that may cause certain issues in my body, but rather the stress of everyday American life?
I may not have the answers to these questions I put out there, but just something to ponder over and share with you all.
Any other travelers have any similar observations?
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Mike is a holistic nutritionist that helps people feel more optimistic about their health and wellness through changes in diet and lifestyle shifts.
He has authored posts and articles featured on MarthaStewart.com, today.com, and iVillage.com.