I’m a lover of all things breakfast: bacon, eggs, pancakes, french toast, it is impossible to name an American breakfast food I do not love. After working at a Long Island bagel store, I have garnered the right to say I make delicious breakfast food. So, then how is it possible that I, an American breakfast food aficionado, think the way Italians do breakfast is superior to Americans after being here for only three weeks?
Well, for starters the selections of breakfast foods in Rome are very different in the states. Here, if you go to a bar (like a cafe, but much more on the go) for breakfast and try to order a bacon, egg and gouda ala starbucks the barista will most likely scowl at you, mumble something nonsensical to you (because it’s obviously in Italian) and help whoever else is at the counter (I would say who is next in line, but line’s do not exist in Italy. It’s very stressful).
Classic Roman breakfasts consist of two things: cafe (espresso, macchiato, cappuccino) and a cornetto (croissant that is plain or filled with chocolate, cream, or jelly). Some Romans may even skip the cornetto and opt to eat a simple piece of bread or small bowl of corn flakes instead.
Every morning, I walk into the kitchen and eat a small bowl of corn flakes or a piece of toast with butter and the best raspberry jam I’ve ever tasted. I get on the bus, and make sure I have enough time to pop into the bar next to school and get a macchiato (espresso with a little milk on top) before I have to go to Italian. 
At first, it was difficult for me to avoid feeling a bit peckish at around 11:30. However, I have since gotten used to eating a tiny breakfast, and want to make this a permanent habit. I feel energized all morning by the espresso, and have just enough food in my stomach to tide me over for lunch. Even though breakfast isn’t hardy or an event I look forward to, the way I feel after changing my eating habit has changed my outlook on food and nutrition greatly.
It isn’t always necessary to eat huge meals; having an indulgent breakfast from time to time is a great treat, but I can no longer justify it every day. In fact, I find that treating myself later in the day (like with the gnutella gelato from Giolitti) is much more satisfying. I’m excited to see how living in Rome will continue to change my habits, and am exciting to treat myself on Friday with some world class gelato.
Conosco I Miei Polli 