More than 5 million Americans visit Italy every year, making it one of the most popular destinations for American tourists. One of the most popular reasons for traveling to Italy is to experience the world-renowned Italian cuisine, including classic pastas and pizzas.

Americans indulge in Italian food while on holiday in Italy, but a key cultural difference prevents many American tourists from fully enjoying Italy’s cuisine: Americans think “carbs” are unhealthy. This fact is especially interesting against the cultural backdrop of the American diet, which is responsible for a nearly 50% adult obesity rate.