How 12 days of eating in Italy shed pounds and some light on the differences with the American diet

Younger by the Minute Jennifer and Jamie Speiser

Jamie and Jennifer talk about their trip to Italy. While overseas for 12 days they learned that the food is very different in Italy versus the US. Not only is the quality of food apparent by the way it tastes but also by how it makes you feel. Jamie and Jennifer enjoyed foods that are out of their normal diet which included pasta, cheese, desserts and more! While doing so, their gut health improved and they felt amazing which in turn made them curious as to what the difference is between the food consumed in the EU versus the US. It comes down to how things are processed and how societal demand creates a difference in both food and skincare. Listen to learn about what they have learned while doing research and how to make changes to your food choices to help your overall health.

Key points in this episode

• Cumulative inflammation and stress in America
• Differences between the US and EU food laws
• Food safety regulations
• The difference between healthy food and unhealthy food
• Differences between the labeling standards in the US and the EU
• High fat and high sugar.
• Toxins and epigenetic modifications on a DNA level
• Read the labels on food, even when buying organic.
• Be careful with Amazon's counterfeit products.

And more..

Research revealed the following:

The food laws in the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) differ in several ways. Here are some notable differences:

1. Food safety regulations:

- The EU has a more precautionary approach to food safety than the US. For example, the EU bans the use of certain food additives that are still allowed in the US due to the potential health risks.

- In the EU, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) regulates food safety, while in the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for it.

These differing philosophies lead to certain additives being allowed in the US and banned in Europe. For instance, these eight ingredients are commonly used in the US but not in Europe:

• rBGH (rBST) – Growth hormone
• Ractopamine – Increases lean muscle in animal stock
• Potassium bromate – Makes baked goods whiter and increases volume
• Brominate vegetable oil – Used to keep flavors from separating in beverages
• Olestra – Fat substitute
• Azodicarbonamide – Used to bleach flour
• Coloring agents – Red #40, yellow #6, yellow #5, blue #1
• BHA and BHT – Preservatives

2. Labeling requirements:

- The EU has stricter labeling requirements than the US. For example, the EU requires that the country of origin of certain foods be listed on the label, whereas the US does not have a similar requirement.

- The EU requires that genetically modified (GM) foods be labeled as such, whereas the US does not have a similar requirement.

3. Standards for organic and sustainable products:

- The EU has a more comprehensive and strict certification process for organic products than the US, which applies to both exported and domestic products.

- Additionally, the EU has several sustainability laws that mandate some companies to reduce their carbon footprint.

4. Food traceability:

- In the EU, food traceability is mandatory, meaning that it is easier to track and trace food products from farm to table, whereas in the US tracking and tracing are voluntary practices.

Overall, these differences between the EU and US food laws are a reflection of the different priorities and values of their respective regulatory agencies and societies.

The US has more of a reactive approach to cosmetic ingredient regulation than the EU, only banning ingredients when enough scientific evidence has been accumulated to deem it necessary.

In contrast, the EU takes more of a proactive approach, where even not every ingredient on the banned list has been proven harmful, but they’re still banned unless they can be proven safe.

2. Skincare:

- Regulations: The European Union has stricter regulations when it comes to cosmetic products as compared to the United States. Additionally, in Europe, cosmetic companies are required to list all ingredients on the product labels.

- Ingredients: Skincare ingredients used in Europe differ from that used in the US, as Europe bans or restricts some ingredients that can be found in US-produced skincare products. For example, the EU has banned the use of hydroquinone in skin care products, which is still widely used in the US.

- Sunscreen: Sunscreen is marketed and formulated differently in Europe as compared to the US. European sunscreens generally contain more UVA-blocking ingredients, while US sunscreens tend to have higher SPFs and more UVB-blocking ingredients.

Overall, these differences in food and skincare practices can be attributed to cultural and regulatory factors between the two regions.