| There are changing trends that are occurring | | | | in these franchises, but visit any large city and |
| globally in how people eat. This is one of the | | | | you are bound to see a number of fast-food |
| results of the modern way of living. More and | | | | restaurants. Now, one of healthiest nations in the |
| more households are experiencing a two-parent | | | | world is being faced with the decision over |
| income; this makes meal time harder than ever | | | | fast-food, or the decision to take the time to |
| to get together. Italy is no exception to the rule | | | | prepare traditional meals. |
| of change. Traditional Italian eating habits are | | | | The transition of more women into the |
| changing due this new lifestyle. | | | | workforce has shifted the way families are |
| Seafood, vegetables, meat, fruits, olive oil and | | | | getting their meals. Traditional, slow-cooked meals |
| beans all make up the sophisticated meals of the | | | | are more of a hassle to prepare for a working |
| Mediterranean. Now, with more moms working | | | | woman and convenience foods are tempting. This |
| outside of the home there is simply not enough | | | | often works to condense the two main meals |
| time to prepare lavish meals. The previous | | | | most Italians previously enjoyed. |
| generation of Italian women would customarily be | | | | Most of these main meals consisted of meats, |
| the homemakers who took care of preparing | | | | but the meat is usually not the focus of the meal. |
| these meals. This is no longer the case today. | | | | This helps reduce the bad cholesterol in each meal. |
| Customary Italian ways of cooking have changed | | | | Traditionally, meals are also served in courses. |
| since more households are experiencing both | | | | This facilitates a relaxed atmosphere with more |
| parents working causing a drastic change in Italian | | | | time for enjoying the meal. This in itself helps |
| eating habits. Meals need to be prepared as | | | | reduce stress levels! |
| quickly and conveniently as possible in order to | | | | Now, the need for speed and convenience has |
| keep up with this lifestyle. This is where fast-food | | | | changed all of this. Typically, fast-food meals will |
| has begun to fill the gap. More moms are | | | | concentrate on a meat. This increases the bad |
| dependent on fast-foods, as well as pre-packaged | | | | cholesterol in the meal. There are no courses in a |
| items to help them facilitate their day to day | | | | fast food meal, which often leads to a quick meal |
| activity. With little or no time for cooking | | | | both in preparation and consumption. This all falls |
| elaborate meals, these become a working-mom's | | | | into play as the result of modern living on Italian |
| best friend. | | | | eating habits. |
| Most small Italian towns have yet to see the rise | | | | |