Twice in my life, I've spent a period of six months or more in Italy. While living there, I felt very healthy, didn't get fat, and I found it easy to stay in shape despite eating a lot more than I do in the United States. In the US, however, I find that I have to work out extra hard in order not to get fat. Last summer, I spent one month in Eastern Europe and didn't gain any weight despite eating generously. From my conversations with people in Europe, I've found that Europeans are greatly opposed to processed foods. Some of them say that processed foods make you fat whereas natural, non-processed foods keep you healthier. I don't know if that's the whole truth, but I'm going by my experiences, and I know I feel healthier in Europe than I do here. That's why I've been buying organic foods lately, and I truly feel a lot better. Make sure you know where your fruit and other groceries come from.