While the days of counting carbs are far from over, nutritionists have found relying on limiting carbohydrates alone is not a healthy alternative to a balanced diet. Thanks to diets such as the South Beach Diet and the Mediterranean Diet, food enthusiasts have realized not only do they not need to restrict themselves from eating some of their favorite foods, but they have also rediscovered their favorite Italian foods- and their favorite Italian restaurants.

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But how easy is it to forgo all the decadent, creamy, and buttery fare? And even if we stick to the healthy stuff how easy is it to tell what foods have hidden calories, loads of sodium, and saturated fats?

The best defense to eating anything that might foil your diet, is understanding what is in your food.