Food and Culture: The Mediterranean Lifestyle in Italy

Catalog description

Analyzes the Mediterranean lifestyle (food and eating practices) in Italy from a historical/cultural, scientific and sociological perspective. Students first examine the history and regional cultures of the Mediterranean diet in Italy as they analyze its rich biological diversity and history of cultural exchange. Students then gain an understanding of the critical nutrients of the Mediterranean diet and of the scientific evidence for its health benefits, especially how it can help prevent chronic diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes, which affect more than half of all adults in the U.S. In addition, students keep a food log for one week, which they then analyze in terms of the critical nutrients of the Mediterranean diet. Finally, Italian food cannot be studied without preparing it! As UNESCO points out, the sharing of food is an important part of the Mediterranean lifestyle.