What’s hiding in the U.S. Food Supply?

When my husband and I travelled to Italy a few years ago we were very surprised that we lost weight after two weeks of eating pizza and pastas and drinking wine almost every day.

How is this possible?

At home, we don't drink during the week (only occasionally on weekends) nor do we eat breads and pasta because we don't like the headaches and bloated feeling we get after.

One day, we visited a town called Nemi and my husband tried a slice of pizza from this little shop and was amazed by the taste. The owner invited us in to look at his oven and tiny back room that held his ingredients; we saw huge bags of flour and canned San Marzano tomatoes. So fresh!

We started to realize why we didn't have any gastro issues.

Why is it so different in the States?

The same foods have cleaner ingredients because they ban additives that are allowed in the US.

Since returning from our trip we have found pasta and wine imported from Italy that don't give us any gastro issues or lingering effects.

How can you start choosing cleaner foods?

• Stay away from Ultra Processed foods and inflammatory oils

• Avoid excess sugar and artificial sweeteners

• Look at food labels for sodium and preservative ingredients that claim to be "healthy" alternatives

• Opt for minimally processed foods (look for 5 ingredients or less)

• When possible, choose organic

• Shop the perimeter of the grocery store

• Cook your own food at home

What are some healthy swaps you want to make?

Please share some of your swaps below!