The Emmy-award-winning cooking show host shares how she has connected with her Italian roots throughout her career.
And so it’s exciting!"
But she’s still leaning into her goal of bringing the authentic Italian culinary experience to her audience.
Photo: Aubrie Pick
Giadzy was originally inspired by her grandfather, who owned two specialty stores where he sold imported Italian goods.
Just as Giada is embarking on a new journey,EatingWellis redefining how we talk about the Mediterranean diet.
For many years, the Mediterranean diet has been deemed one of the healthiest ways of eating.
Aubrie Pick
Many foods or dishes can be incorporated into this eating pattern.
In an exclusive interview withEatingWell, we spoke with Giada about this more personalized approach to healthy eating.
She shared what the Mediterranean diet and eating well in general means to her, the No.
1 Mediterranean diet ingredient she never leaves the store without and more.
What Does the Mediterranean Diet Mean to Giada?
We cook our food, we sit down and we enjoy it together."
The Mediterranean diet focuses on more than just the foods we eat.
Eating awide variety of vegetables, and lots of them, is another essential component of the Mediterranean diet.
AtEatingWell, we are veggie enthusiastswe love adding them wherever we can.
HerZucchini Carbonarais a perfect example.
EatingWell: We know you love traveling, with Italy clearly influencing you and your career.
What other country/culinary experience has marked you the most?
De Laurentiis:Oh, I love Japanese culture and food.
What I love so much about it is the attention to detail and the aesthetics of it.
As I always say to people, you eat with your eyes first; your senses go first.
Before you ever sit down in a restaurant, the minute you walk in, what do you see?
What do you smell?
Those are the senses, and that’s what immediately forms your experience.
EatingWell: Do you have any current favorite food trends?
So I’m doing a lot of sheet-pans lately.
And lots of sandwiches.
EatingWell: What is your favorite 5-minute appetizer you serve when you have guests?
De Laurentiis:Some kind of bruschetta, whether it’s a white bean bruschetta or tomato bruschetta.
Depends on the season, but some kind of bruschetta.
EatingWell: What is the No.
De Laurentiis:Extra-virgin olive oil
EatingWell:What is the one ingredient you never use and why?
De Laurentiis:Green bell peppers.
They don’t like me.
And, in turn, I don’t like them.
EatingWell: What do you cook when you need a hug?
De Laurentiis:Chocolate
EatingWell: Who is your dream dinner guest?
De Laurentiis:Marilyn Monroe.
I think she’s a fascinating person.
EatingWell:And last but not least, what does eating well mean to you?
“Eating well, to me, means that I’m clear-headed.
And it usually means that I fall back on my Italian heritage.
And I think that’s the journey of eating well for me.
This is what makes me the happiest.
Giada invites us to be open to the possibilities in our lives and take small steps toward healthy habits.
“Whether that’s drinking a bit more water,” she said.
“Take care of that vessel because you’re going to need it forever.”
