4 days ago
American's Trip to Italy Leads to Shocking Revelation About US: 'So Much Resentment'
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An American traveler who went to Italy on a two-week trip returned with a new perspective—and a lot of resentment—regarding American food.
Sharing her experience on Reddit this week, user Temporary-Night-275 said she was able to eat foods in Italy that would have triggered bad reactions back home.
Dietary Changes Felt
"My mood was better, my awareness was better," the original poster (OP) wrote.
"I could eat wheat (I'm extremely gluten intolerant and it messes with my autoimmune disease if I eat it among a multitude of other symptoms) with gluten pills with minor bloating.
"I had some of the best food, best health feelings (other than muscle soreness from walking so much) I've ever had in my life."
Stock image: Dishes of processed food.
Stock image: Dishes of processed food.
Photo by carotur / Getty Images
Processed food has been shown to "most likely" shorten your life. According to researchers, Americans are "addicted" to it.
'I want to move'
The difference, the Redditor believes, lies in how food is produced and regulated.
"Sugar and wheat and whatever else is just so much harder on my body here than Italy," she wrote.
The OP added that she generally eats healthy, even at home.
"I want to move," she wrote, adding, "It sucks here. Government sucks, food sucks, work sucks.
"I got the freshest food at a market (quite a bit of it too) for so cheap. Food that would cost me $20-25 was roughly $11.
"I hate it here."
'Infinitely better'
User Temporary-Night-275 elaborated that the food tasted "fresher" and the texture was "infinitely better," in response to an invitation to comment from Newsweek.
"Things just had way better flavor and texture overall and I could tell I was eating better food just by the lack of sugar taste," she wrote, adding, "Even the chips just tasted like quality.
"My skin cleared up significantly and I was neglecting my skin routine," she added.
The OP said she did have some bloating from the gluten, but no additional symptoms like itching and diarrhea.
"So I still felt symptoms, but when you [haven't eaten] gluten for 10 years and have some light bloating after eating pizza, a cornetti and then pasta, I'll take that as a win," she wrote.
'The quality of our food is garbage'
Many Reddit users agreed with the OP, amid 1,300 comments within two days online.
"My brother's [significant other] is from Singapore," an individual shared, "They regularly mention how sugary and sweet everything is in the U.S.
"With health trends like fasting and keto, I almost feel like that speaks for itself. Our food is so bad here people choose to not eat, or completely cut out certain foods they sell here because it will help lose/manage weight.
"But the issue isn't even the type of food. It's what's in our food. Other countries have diets that are extremely carb heavy and you'll still see people that are skinny and relatively healthier.
"The quality of our food is garbage."
A fellow contributor said they spent three weeks in the U.S. and took them 3-4 months to recover: "It's the land of the free: free to sell crap to the customers."
Another critic said that their Canadian mother has "endless gut issues" and is gluten intolerant.
"Every time she goes to Spain, her stomach stays flat and she feels great. It's terrifying!"
Other Factors at Play?
Fellow Redditors argued that other factors could be at play.
"The U.S. ranks third in the world for food quality and safety. Check out the Global Food Security Index," a user commented.
"Most people don't feel good in the U.S. because we're overworked and have barely anything to show for it. Our cities being entirely centered around cars is the biggest issue aside from the lack of cheap and accessible health care here."
'Depressed in America'
User Temporary-Night-275 told Newsweek that she was serious about moving and it may be in her 5-year plan.
"Between health care, better food, better work-life balance in a lot of other countries, I just want something that makes me feel well," the OP continued.
"I'm depressed in America, learning more what happens every day in our government and the s*** food were given [...]
"It was magical being able to eat good food again. I definitely am planning my next trip to Italy."
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