by Quentin Morris

Created on: November 16, 2008   Last Updated: December 31, 2008

Ever wondered what the secret is to a long and healthy life? Well, as one of the longest living populations on the planet, the Italians seem to have the answer and it turns out it isn't so much of a secret after all. Check out the Italian guide to longevity.

According to the World Health Organisation statistics for 2006 (www.who.int/research/en, Italians have an average life expectancy of 81.3 years, compared to 79.2 years in the UK and 78.0 years in the USA. Why is it that a population that is poorer and smokes more than anywhere else in Western Europe should be less prone to heart disease? How is it that they are slimmer and healthier than people in the UK and USA? The answer is simple. Italians know what to eat, when to eat it and how. They live for food, but they also know what's hot and what's not when it comes to staying fit and staying in shape.

Slow Food: While the rest of us race through life, barely stopping for five minutes to grab a sandwich for lunch, the Italians have never abandoned the indulgence of slow and leisurely eating. Italian shops close for up to three hours between 1pm and 4pm, so they can take lunch at their own pace. You may not be able to do this, but make sure you take your lunch break seriously, sit down and make time to eat well. Go sit in the park, or by the window in a cafe, and just watch the world go by. Eating when you're in a rush puts stress on your body. You don't digest your food properly and this can lead to cramps or acid stomach. Long term low-level stress of this sort can even lead to stomach ulcers. Remember, slow food is good food.

Top Tip: Slow down your pace of life any way you can. Walking to work in the fresh air is always better than the bus. If you don't have time to make food through the week, prepare in advance on Sunday. A good homemade soup can be prepared in advance and eaten when needed. Take five minutes now and again to just stop, breath and....relax.

Fresh Food: Italians love to cook, and they like to cook fresh! (In restaurants frozen ingredients have to be marked on the menu by law!) Don't buy a ready made jar of tomato sauce, make it yourself. It's quick, easy and tastes much better than the mass produced stuff from the supermarket. There is also much more satisfaction to be derived from a home-made meal, lovingly prepared, than a five minute microwave job. The process is relaxing and can help you de-stress. Italians are also still in touch with the seasons - they know which veggies to eat and when.

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