The nutritionist Giorgio Calabarese.
From the afternoon of May 7, the Holy Spirit will guide the Cardinals of the Conclave in the choice of the new pontiff: 133 men closed from dawn to sunset in the Sistine Chapel, engaged in reflections, negotiations, decisions, prayer. A not indifferent mental, psychological, emotional and diplomatic effort, which will be supported with the right nourishment, not only of the soul. But is there a food of the spirit? “I really think so,” replies the nutritionist Giorgio Calabrese. «Through Jesus Christ, the eternal Father indicated the two foods of the soul: bread and wine. Fundamental to our table, both carbohydrates (bread, pasta, rice) and good wine (a glass) must not be missing in nutrition. Never in excessive quantities, but there must be ». And it is precisely Giorgio Calabrese, professor of dietotherapy at the University of Eastern Piedmont, to describe the cardinal’s diet, pending theHabemus Papam.
What do cardinals need, from a nutritional point of view, to support the days of the conclave?
It is a very high moment spiritually, where stress is humanly inevitable. Food is an essential human necessity to face days – we do not know how many – of dialogues and comparisons, made even more difficult by the closure to the outside world, far from the clamor of the media world. Taking into account that the cardinals are all in mature age, simple, healthy and not very elaborate foods are needed, without crumbles of any kind, but balanced and healthy dishes, especially sober and excessless.
The effort will be above all mental: what foods to put on the table to face it?
The effort required in the next few days will be psychological and mnemonic. To support it, carbohydrates are essential, therefore “ready -to -take” foods, capable of providing energy that the body can use immediately.
Let’s start with breakfast: no international menu, then …
I would say no. Even if the cardinals come from all over the world and most of them will be used to a salty breakfast, it is a meal to be not recommended in this circumstance, because it is too rich in fat. So no eggs with bacon. The day should start with a tea or coffee, or a glass of milk or yogurt, all associated with complex carbohydrates such as rusks or toasted bread, with a veil of jam or honey. A seasonal fruit is also fine. They are foods that have the ability to make the brain immediately and efficient, primary need for conclave members.
For lunch better a single dish or a complete menu? It will be necessary to avoid the afternoon abbiocco …
Of course, the day is intense, with two ballots in the morning and two in the afternoon. Therefore lunch must be easily digestible, but at the same time satiating and satisfying for the palate. Here too the carbohydrates are fundamental: on the table there will always be pasta or rice, but it will be the condiment to make the difference. The sauces must be light (fresh tomato, vegetables or a curly of butter put raw). The association with legumes (peas or chickpeas) which makes the first course is also excellent, a complete dish, also rich in proteins.
What if anyone also wants the second?
No problem: white meat will serve (chicken, turkey, veal or lamb) or fish, not only white or blue, but also fresh salmon, rich in omega 3 fat. The latter are essential to give the brain the necessary refueling of those substances that make intellectual operation quickly. I dare say that the food of the negotiation is the omega 3!
All accompanied by a side dish of vegetables, rigorously in the season …
Of course, but it is not only important that it is fresh, vegetables would be better to consume it cooked (steam, plate or baked) because it is more digestible. Better to avoid salads, which fatigue the stomach. And as a condiment, extra virgin olive oil.
Should the dinner be lighter?
Light yes but satiating. Until the new pope is elected, even after dinner will foresee debates and comparisons, therefore concentration and maximum lucidity will still be required. The evening menu could therefore predict minestrons or past vegetables, with rice or pasta, which give energy, do not weigh down but at the same time remove the sense of hunger. As a second, you can associate fresh cheese (stracchino, mozzarella or robiola) or low -cut ham or not salted bresaola, always with a side dish of grilled vegetables.
The days will be long, do we give the snacks?
The snacks are very important. Better based on dried fruit in the middle of the morning (source of energy, rich in good fats and friend of mood), while in the middle of the afternoon I would recommend fresh fruit, a fruit yogurt or cold tea with lemon.
Let’s move on to the foods “bandits” from the cardinal diet. Asparagus for example …
Let’s say that asparagus and onions should be avoided because they stimulate diuresis and this could create discomfort. Also excluded from the menu, fried foods, red meat and all foods that slow down digestion and are enemies of circulation.
So no to spirits, but the wine is admitted instead …
It is always a question of measurement. A glass of wine with a meal is granted, perhaps favoring white for lunch and red during dinner.
And with the portions how will the chefs regret?
They should limit quantities. The Conclave is a situation of prolonged sedentary lifestyle, in which the participants do not burn almost any calories throughout the day. This means that instead of the classic 80 grams of pasta, the ideal would be to consume 60.
But can a tear be done, perhaps with the dessert?
I would say yes, especially if the smoke smokes lasted for several days. Also to support the morale of the cardinals and dampen the tension, I believe that the “sin of throat” is forgiven. Avoiding very fatty and heavy desserts, a slice of fruit tart will be fine or – even better – a square of dark chocolate at the end of the meal: it stimulates the production of serotonin and endorphins, good mood hormones, and reduces stress.
