Keep your mouth shut. Not only will that prevent food getting in it will stop you boring everyone silly with the latest details of your diet.
There is surely nothing more dull than listening to someone drone on endlessly about their diet…”Oh, I can’t eat that, I am on the low carb diet!” “I couldn’t possibly eat that, I am gluten free.” (They actually mean gluten intolerant; only a few people are actually diagnosed coeliac.)
Since when did food become “good” and “bad”? It’s only bad if you eat too much of it…and I never want to hear the word “kale” again. Super food is just food and it often tastes dreadful.
When you come to Italy is would be a crime to avoid one of the great pleasures of being in the country. Take a look at some of the delights you will miss if you put yourself on a crazy diet. You will no doubt be walking all day taking in the sights, so you can afford to eat something delicious.
There was recently a brand new diet hailed as a miracle doing the rounds of morning television. It is suggested that you enjoy a bit of everything, but not too much of anything…amazing…who would have thought?
Diet by all means, just don’t talk about it…it is boring.
EXTRA…
This cartoon and an excellent article written by Deirdre Macken is in The Australian 29th November. (In the Review section, page 2, The Forum) The cartoon and article are hilarious and describe the current stupid food obsession perfectly.
Oh…Deb…you truly are my kindred spirit! I couldn’t agree with you more.
By: leticiakondos on November 25, 2014
at 10:15 am
Thanks, eating is one of the true pleasures of being in Italy.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 25, 2014
at 10:38 am
Food glorious food… As you say who would have thought that everything in Moderation is the way to go. Also dont fiddle with it and people wont become lactose or gluten intolerant. Or get mad cow disease!!! Yes its boring to listen to people’s intolerances and allergies. Just enjoy good food. Kirsi
By: Anonymous on November 25, 2014
at 10:28 am
Eat fresh and in season and don’t make it too complicated.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 25, 2014
at 9:01 pm
Not everyone can eat high fat food and the clothes in Italy are designed for the slim. Perhaps an article on the joys of eating fresh food rather than knocking people who have medical conditions? Who wants to be obese?
By: Annie on November 25, 2014
at 10:29 am
You misread what I have said. I am not knocking people with a medical condition, I am suggesting that not everyone wants to listen to people talk about their diets constantly. If you look at the photos you will see that there are some healthy looking salads there as well as well as pasta, pizza and pastries. No one is suggesting that you should be obese.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 25, 2014
at 10:35 am
Great pics! Couldn’t agree with you more although I think a good walk after a fantastic meal works wonders.
By: Francis on November 25, 2014
at 10:29 am
Walking is another of the pleasures of being in Italy.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 25, 2014
at 10:40 am
It’s so true that Italian food is a joy to partake when travelling through that beautiful country. I am very disciplined with what I eat at home but try everything when travelling overseas. How can you not eat pastries in Paris and likewise the freshly made pastas, gelati, wine, seafood, etc. in Italy. The trade off as you said is walking everywhere! It’s a win win situation.
By: Paula on November 25, 2014
at 11:20 am
Those pastries are too delicious to leave behind.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 25, 2014
at 11:24 am
Sooo totally agree – I am sadly one if those people who is not allergic to anything except perhaps too much red wine!!!🍷👯🇮🇹
By: Liz Litzow on November 25, 2014
at 11:47 am
How much is too much?
By: Debra Kolkka on November 25, 2014
at 12:05 pm
I totally agree. Everything in moderation is good for us. I think that the healthy Mediterranean diet is the only one that has consistent benefits; however, if we use too much olive oil or drink excessive amounts of wine we will get very sick. Moderation is again the key to good health.
By: Mulino Dominillo on November 25, 2014
at 12:33 pm
It certainly is…and just get on with it.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 25, 2014
at 8:51 pm
God love you Deb. I agree totally.
By: Jan Fabretti on November 25, 2014
at 12:53 pm
Isn’t is dull listening to people discuss everything that goes into their mouths…Ooo, I’m being naughty eating this. Then don’t eat it.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 25, 2014
at 8:53 pm
Amen! Thanks for making me really, really hungry and “homesick” for Italy!
By: tstaffaroni on November 25, 2014
at 1:08 pm
Italy and it’s delicious food is waiting for you.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 25, 2014
at 8:54 pm
I have followed your blog for years Deb and it is fabulous! Full of reliable info but this post would have to be my favourite of all!!! Thanks for writing this!
By: Moira Drexler on November 25, 2014
at 1:46 pm
We have all heard them…boring.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 25, 2014
at 8:54 pm
Do I see the delectable erotic salad from Paris Boheme in one of your photos?
By: paninigirl on November 25, 2014
at 2:15 pm
You most certainly did. I would like one now.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 25, 2014
at 8:55 pm
Fabulous. Fabulous, Fabulous!! Fabulous Food! How lucky we are; to have ALL this wonderful food. And don’t you present it in the most irresistible beauty. Oh my, you’ve made my day!
By: i on November 25, 2014
at 2:35 pm
There is lots of delicious food in Italy…one of the very good reasons to go there.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 25, 2014
at 8:56 pm
Ohh I so agree, I love my food, I especially love the linguini with clams, and the pastries. When we visited florence we had some fantastic meals and some great walks! X
By: Janet on November 25, 2014
at 2:37 pm
I love pasta with clams. The first time I ate it was more than 40 years ago in Naples.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 25, 2014
at 8:57 pm
You are brilliant! I am going to tell everyone this from now on!
By: cecilia on November 25, 2014
at 2:49 pm
Keeping you mouth shut would definitely work.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 25, 2014
at 8:58 pm
I’ll say! perfect remedy in more ways than one.. c
By: cecilia on November 25, 2014
at 9:33 pm
What delicious photos, Debra. I also think that everything in moderation is a good plan. I loved the food in Italy, and the gelato was the best I’ve ever tasted.
By: anotherday2paradise on November 25, 2014
at 4:11 pm
I find it difficult to eat gelato outside of Italy, although we do have 2 Italian boys in Brisbane who do a great job.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 25, 2014
at 8:59 pm
I say “everything in moderation”
By: Lyn on November 25, 2014
at 4:20 pm
That should be enough.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 25, 2014
at 9:03 pm
Great post. This is what I am most looking forward to in Italy! I will be boring people with my food experiences!!!!
By: Anonymous on November 25, 2014
at 9:27 pm
Now that is a different matter entirely. You could be forgiven for gushing about Italy’s food.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 25, 2014
at 10:02 pm
Yay,for you Deb. Eating is one of life’s wonderful pleasures.
Every thing in moderation.
By: Judi Troncoso on November 25, 2014
at 11:02 pm
It certainly is and we are very lucky to have such fresh, delicious food to eat.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 25, 2014
at 11:30 pm
Envy. These food photos show you probably ate all that or your friend did. Lucky you.
By: lizgolding on November 25, 2014
at 11:05 pm
I have been known to sneak photos of other people’s food, but I think most of this was mine…not all at once I hasten to add.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 25, 2014
at 11:31 pm
looks like my kind of diet see food and eat it,
By: paivi on November 25, 2014
at 11:10 pm
I’m on your team.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 25, 2014
at 11:32 pm
Boring – its bad mannered really to impose this on friends you are dining with – can be quite a dampener. Anyway your food pictures are delectable – wish I could have some of that right now.
By: Dianne Cant on November 26, 2014
at 12:08 am
It can be a bit tedious listening to food problems.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2014
at 8:52 am
Oh Deb, to not eat in Italy would surely be so wrong. I ate everything, gelato twice a day and walked just as much. My daughter is gluten free. She is severely allergic to wheat and gluten, we hardly ever mention it to anyone. And I have to say Italy makes the best gluten free food in the world. Our hosts took us to a local gelato place in Florence so she could finally taste vanilla gelato that was gluten free – my daughter was in seventh heaven. In Rome our lovely host found GF bread and biscuits. They tasted better than regular biscuits here in the US. He mentioned to us that Italians make sure the gluten free pasta and bread are just as good as the regular because they want everyone to enjoy it. I was so grateful to him for allowing my daughter a happy trip. I could talk about the fresh food I had over there any time 🙂
By: meditatingmummy on November 26, 2014
at 1:38 am
Italy does glutes free food very well. There are lots of good options even at the supermarkets.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 26, 2014
at 2:00 am
Heehee – I love that tip! Right-oh, on the subject of di-et my lips shall remain sealed lest thou makest minced meat of me. we’ve just spent the weekend with our grandchildren who are practically food phobic. They will only willingly eat food that is grey, or brown i.e. sausages, birthday cake passes muster and anything that comes out of a packet. I feel so sad – not only for their Mum – but for them too because food is such an enjoyable part of life – both the making of it and the sharing of it.
By: Jan on November 26, 2014
at 3:16 am
With a bit of luck the children will grow out of it. They usually do. Having said that, I recently met a grown woman who never knowingly eats vegetables and she went on at length about it. I wanted to say “Are you 6?” but I felt it was better just to walk away.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 26, 2014
at 4:13 am
Couldn’t agree more. You HAVE to eat in Italy. You walk so much anyway that you walk off anything you have eaten. Just enjoy yourself.
By: Valerie Guareschi on November 26, 2014
at 8:32 am
Walking in Italy is great and the best way to see the delights on offer.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2014
at 8:53 am
Yaaaaaaay deb. Couldn’t agree more with you – naturally 😉
By: janinevasta on November 26, 2014
at 9:52 am
I certainly have to agree with you. Another thing is when you are with a friend who is dieting and they order a plain piece of fish and then keep staring at your food telling you how good it looks. That happened when we took friends to Europe. Diet when you get home but don’t miss all the wonderful and different food experiences while traveling.
By: Karen on November 26, 2014
at 1:40 pm
Trying different food is one of the joys of travelling.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2014
at 8:39 am
Please see my reply to your comment/question on Yvonne’s blog (Hello, World)
By: Bert on November 26, 2014
at 2:20 pm
Thanks, Bert. I worked it out.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2014
at 8:56 am
Even if someone is dieting all they need to say when offered something off-limits is “no thank you.” The explanation is never necessary. I can’t see some overbearing chef standing there shoving a croissant in the person’s face saying “WHY WON’T YOU EAT MY BREAD YOU SON OF A BITCH?!”
By: caronbot on November 26, 2014
at 6:17 pm
I have friends who have food allergies, but they don’t discuss them unless asked, they just get on with it.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2014
at 8:39 am
I laughed out loud at your diet ‘tip’. And love the latest ‘brand new’ diet you heard about via morning television. That coffee and pastry looks irresistible.
By: Just Add Attitude on November 26, 2014
at 8:34 pm
I find many things irresistible.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2014
at 8:57 am
Oh how I love this blog….one of my favourites. I have seen you weilding a kitchen knife on this subject.
By: Jim & Kerry on November 27, 2014
at 5:39 am
I think quince were involved.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 27, 2014
at 8:37 am
Such a bloody annoying word. Gah…. those that use it make my eyes twitch. LOL! Gorgeous photos, especially the bowl of mussels.
By: shenANNAgans on December 4, 2014
at 4:54 am