Forget The French Girl Diet, Here's How To Eat Like A Hot Italian Woman

The term "Mediterranean" encapsulates many cultures with similar eating habits, but if you're doing this the Italian way, pasta is obviously on the menu. When in Rome, right? Like everything, moderation is key, but when carbs are no longer considered off-limits, you're more likely to consume smaller, healthier servings. In fact, Italian researchers determined that higher pasta consumption was associated with lower BMIs and waist-to-hip ratios, and in areas where eating pasta was the norm, people tended to eat smaller portions of it. Another study proved that pasta can actually help you lose weight, likely because of its low glycemic index, meaning that, unlike other refined carbs, it causes smaller increases in blood sugar and keeps you fuller longer. Buon appetito, baby.

[Photo via @carolinevreeland]