The Timeless Art of Italian Cuisine
by Anna Maria Volpi

Winner the Gourmand
Cookbook Award 2003

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First one can be defined as food that we take into our body. For example, eating a well-balanced diet. Another one can be defined as losing weight. A balanced diet contains proper portions of five basic food groups. To ensure optimum health and a balanced diet, it is essential to have a proper portion of each group, each day. The amount of food needed gets smaller as we move up the "pyramid". Bread, rice, cereal and pasta are in the bottom group. 6 to 11 servings every day from this group are needed.

After that, on the pyramid is the vegetable group. Nearly everyone requires 3 to 5 servings from this group daily. The vegetable group gives you vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A and C, as per required. After that, is the fruit
group. We need about 2 to 4 servings of this group per day. Fuits give you vitamin C, fiber, carbohydrates and more.

Next is the milk, yogurt and cheese group. People need 2 to 3 servings of this group per day. This group gives you calcium and protein. Drinking milk and eating cheese and/or yogurt is a great way to get your daily allowance.

Meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs and nuts is the last group. We do not need much of this group everyday but this group is very important. 2 to 3 servings per day are required.

In addition to the food pyramid, it was discovered by doctors and scientist that fats, sweets and oils are an important ingredient of a healthy diet. This is mentioned although it is separate from the pyramid. The food we eat normally contains the required fats so we need not add additional fatty or sweet food. This food can be delicious but we always try to avoid an excess of this type of fatty or sweet food.

If you are referring to a weight-loss diet, you are talking about changing or restricting your diet somehow to reduce calories, fat or other to lose weight. No diet should be used without talking to your doctor first. There are many
diets on the market and medications to help people diet. The problem with dieting when not under a doctor’s care is that you may be loosing nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. You may be trying to lose weight because you are overweight or obese, but can be doing more harm by restricting vitamins and minerals that your body needs.

Remember, if you are in doubt as to what your body needs, please consult your doctor.

About the Author
Marcelle Ventura is the webmaster of
FINA Diet - Understanding Diet, Made Easy, a wonderful health resource.