I just got back from a week in Rome. I didn't think it was harder to stay low carb than in the U.S. Pasta and pizza and rice are everywhere in the U.S. now as well, and we tend to eat them as the main course. At least in Italy is usual to have chicken, veal, beef, or fish as a main course at dinner. The first course can easily be a salad or something like prosciutto. I actually lost some weight on my trip! The gelato was the hardest thing to pass up for me.