The Italian food pyramid is a version of the US Department of Agriculture food pyramid but aimed at those who use them a Mediterranean diet, or Italian diet. The original food pyramid was designed to try and reverse the growing trend of heart disease and other diseases caused by bad nutrition and bad diet. In the US this is because the population has more than tendency to eat junk food and skimp on the essential vitamins provided by fruits and vegetables.

So how does the Italian food pyramid differ? The Italian food pyramid basically concentrates on more of the foods that make up the Mediterranean diet. There is much more of an emphasis on eating foods that have a plant origin. Not only are fruits and vegetables eaten a lot more by the Italians and Mediterranean’s, but they also eat many more grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, olives, and olive oil. This is always going to make for good healthy food, packed with vitamins and minerals. There is also much more emphasis on eating fish and shellfish at least twice a week.

Is been shown over the last few years that the healthiness of the Mediterranean diet has got a lot to do with the fact that Italians and Mediterranean on the whole have far less chronic diseases which are associated with the Western diet such as heart attacks and strokes etc. The Italian food pyramid is one of the most nutritious food pyramids in the world. It is also one of the tastiest food pyramids to follow. Italian cuisine, along with all Mediterranean cuisines, incorporates some of the best foods that are grown in the region.