Skip to Content
Features

The Quest for Balance over Perfection in the Italian Lifestyle

Our health & wellness expert shares her practices for joy and health with an emphasis on the Italian lifestyle.

12:00 PM EST on December 10, 2024

Appetito's Health & Wellness expert, Marianna Cuomo Maier, indulging in a Martini.

Appetito’s Health & Wellness expert, Marianna Cuomo Maier, indulging in a Martini.

As a Health & Wellness Coach, people often assume I follow a "perfect" set of rules for my lifestyle—or that I’d expect others to do the same. But the truth is that I love nachos, martinis, lounging, and embracing life’s indulgences!

We can all learn from the Italian way of life: instead of striving for perfection, focus on balance. And balance doesn’t mean sacrificing joy for discipline. It’s about prioritizing what nourishes your mind, body, and soul. In practice, this means enjoying high-quality, nutrient-rich foods, spending time outdoors, resting when you need it, and prioritizing relationships that make you feel good.

For me, balance means leaning into joyful moments while nurturing healthy habits most of the time. It’s about letting go of the all-or-nothing mentality that frames health as either 'on' or 'off.'

Of course, balance looks different for everyone, and part of the journey is discovering what makes you feel your best—inside and out. You can enjoy the things you love and prioritize your well-being. The two can absolutely coexist.

To help you achieve a balance that feels good for you, ask yourself:

• What in my life gives me energy and joy?

• What in my life feels challenging or depleting?

• How do I want to feel?

• What habits, activities, or routines help me align with that feeling?

• What does balance look like for me right now?

When you define balance on your own terms, you create space to enjoy life’s indulgences while feeling your best.

That’s the good stuff.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More Stories

Erica D’Arcangelo on the Family History That Inspired A Story About Pizza

Inspired by generations of family history, the author explains why some stories deserve to be passed on.

Italian Pistachio Pesto Recipe Inspired by Lake Garda

A simple homemade pesto with pistachios, fresh basil, and lemon for a rich twist on the Italian classic.

July 30, 2026

Positive Influencer: Chef Stefani Poci

The Italian-Canadian creator shares how family traditions shaped her love of cooking.

July 30, 2026

The Taste of a Sicilian Summer with Chef Mario Traina’s Tenerumi Soup

Chef Traina returns with the second installment of his I Will Be Your Grandmother column, reflecting on childhood summers in Sicily and the simple bowl of his favorite soup

July 29, 2026

A Look Inside Felice’s Flatiron Take-Over

A conversation with founder Jacopo Giustiniani about the wine, hospitality, and ambition behind Felice's biggest restaurant yet.

July 29, 2026