I'm sorry to hear about the health problems your grandmother suffered. It's like I said before, moderation. If all you eat is meat and potatoes, it will probably result in the issues you mentioned. Italian food (and Mediterranean food in general) is quite healthy. It's mostly vegetables and fish in Italy. Not so in America, but olive oil and garlic are mainstays wherever Italian food is prepared. So it's going to be healthy to some degree (even with all the bread).