The general consensus is that red wine, in moderation, (maximum 2-3 glasses a day, depending on your age, weight, and sex) can impart cardiac benefits, and contribute to overall well-being. But it's more complicated than that.  Yes, experiments with laboratory animals have shown remarkable benefits for subjects given large doses of resveratrol, the so-called "magic" ingredient in wine. But these experiments were in ideal lab conditions where every variable could be tightly controlled... which is not the case in the reality of day to day human life.  So we look to the centenarians aro ..read more

Recently there was an article published by Taste Atlas that listed the Top 100 cheeses in the world. Not surprisingly, cheeses from Italy took 8 or the top 10 spots. I spoke about this with Robert Campana from Stop Italian Sounding, a brand dedicated to educating consumers on the differences between genuine Italian products and "fake" products that only borrow (read: steal) credibility from the real deal.  Have a listen to our conversation and let us know what you think about this somewhat "controversial" list. Ciao! Stop Italian Sounding on Instagram Stop Italian Sounding on TikTok ..read more

If you want to learn about Italian culture, there is no better lens from which to look than through Italy's food traditions and regional cuisines.  Today on the podcast we welcome Dottoressa Arianna Salomon, a PhD candidate at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, and a graduate of Università Ca' Foscari in Venice, Italy. This semester at FAU, Dott.ssa Salomon is teaching a course entitled, "Italian Culture Through Food," and she was kind enough to share some of her insights on this episode.  Food is a central part of Italian life, and it is used to celebrate special oc ..read more

Looking for the best food in Puglia? From traditional Italian dishes to unique regional specialties, listen to this podcast episode to learn about typical food from Puglia.  Scott Maxwell, a Scottish expat in Puglia, leads us through a culinary journey of the regions most iconic cuisine. This is the Mediterranean Diet at its best, with fresh seafood, great local wines, and "killer" pasta. Here's a link to his site and his recommendations: https://www.gaypugliapodcast.com/puglia-for-foodies/ Join us in Puglia! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eat-like ..read more

Today I talk to Robert from "Stop Italian Sounding" about the ways that imitation Italian products infiltrate and confuse the marketplace, causing a very real economic impact on the producers of genuine Italian products in Italy.  I have talked about this topic on the podcast before, and written about it on the blog. But Robert has some first-hand experience on the difference between products that are authentically Italian, and those products that seek to profit by "impersonating" the real culinary treasures of Italian culture.  Read more about this discussion and other topics relate ..read more

It’s easy to take for granted during our busy routines, but food plays such an important part of our lives. It nourishes us, it comforts us, it connects us to our culture… and it can help heal us, too.  Cancer is a serious illness that affects millions of people around the world. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent cancer, there are some foods that have been shown to help fight it off. (Of course, there’s more to it than that, and you should always consult with a physician.) My guest on this podcast episode is Judy Witts Fancini. Besides all the aforementioned roles of food in our ..read more

Even though it's technically on the Adriatic Sea, can we still consider Venetian cuisine as part of the "Mediterranean Diet?" Well, there's lots of seafood and vegetables. Perhaps more polenta and rice than pasta, but otherwise, yes the traditional dishes in Venice are healthy and diverse. If you want to know where the locals eat in Venice on a regular basis, it’s in little stand-up bar places called barcari. The most authentic food in Venice is often “hidden” inside these little gems. But you’ll need a bit of local knowledge to find the best of the best. --- Support this podcast: https://podc ..read more

The Italian Food Rules might seem trite to a foreigner visiting Italy. But these guidelines are very important if you don't want to "fare una brutta figura," make a bad impression. And they are good for your health, too!  Read the full list here: https://eatlikeanitalian.com/34-italian-food-rules/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eat-like-an-italian/support ..read more

Listen, I get it. It takes effort to stay on the path of righteousness, especially when every marketing message is screaming about the bounty of Olive Garden’s endless pasta bowl (with unlimited garlic-butter breadsticks). Yes, there is such a thing as too much pasta.  But let’s at least not fool ourselves. Concoctions dubbed as “Italian food” outside of Italy are usually a gross bastardization of their lineage; just barely even resembling the humble beginnings from which they arose.  So indulge me, if you will, with this rant in the defense of all things holy and Italian. The crimes ..read more

Last time I talked about time-restricted eating and how fasting is NOT synonymous with starvation. Well, that was before the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns of our normal societal routines.  During this strange times, grocery shopping has become a challenge, and for some who are out of work, it's also an economic challenge. So some degree of starvation is not out of the question, even within the wealthiest nation in the world.  On the plus side, it gave me the nudge I needed to give Dr. Valter Longo's Fasting Mimicking Diet a try.  And still, all of that says noth ..read more