HWN Suggests

Is Pasta Really Unhealthy for You? Here's the Surprising Truth

Pasta is one of the first foods people cut out when they're trying to drive down carb consumption. But unlike other items that are often considered "off-limits" for those following a diet or looking to lose weight (think sweets and alcohol), pasta actually does possess some redeeming nutritional qualities. There's even research to suggest that pasta may be beneficial for weight loss. Yep, you read that right.

read full article

Featured

 What Is the Best Non-Pasta Pasta?

Non-flour pastas are having a moment: You can now eat pasta made from brown rice, quinoa, lentils, chickpeas and more. But are they really healthier than the real deal? Here’s what nutrition experts have to say about which pasta alternatives are actually good for you

 Worried pasta will make you fat? Spaghettaboutit

Although pasta science points to it being healthier than other processed carbs, there's not much else to say about it.

Articles of Interest

Does pasta make you fat? Eight food myths busted

As the carb-avoidance craze rages, many are dismayed to see pasta lumped with pappy white bread in the “white and refined” sin bin. Now, a concerted push is on to rehabilitate its nutritional reputation.

Don't Fuss Over Fresh Pasta: The Dried Stuff Is Better

Dried pasta is well crafted, tasty, and healthy. And it has that texture that I associate with a great bowl of pasta, and for me it's the texture that I value.

How to Find the Best Healthy Pasta (not shaped in Teflon!)

Is the concept of healthy pasta an oxymoron for fans of traditional, nutrient-dense diet? For the longest time, I thought so but was happy to find out otherwise.

I'm a Dietitian, and I'll Never Give Up Pasta—Here's Why

Pasta gets a bad rap from some but there are many benefits to eating pasta. Here are a few of them.

Is Pasta Bad for You?

If you love it as much as we do, you may not want to even ask the obvious question: Is pasta bad for you? The answer may surprise you.

Is Pasta Healthy?

Why you can (and should!) embrace pasta as part of a healthful diet, according to a dietitian.

Is pasta healthy?

Recent research found that cooking pasta and then cooling it changes its carbohydrate structure, and increases a type of starch called 'resistant starch'. As its name suggests this starch is resistant to our digestive enzymes, which are responsible for breaking them down to release glucose – this normally causes an increase in blood sugar.

Is pasta healthy? 8 surprising health benefits of our favourite comfort food

Establishing is pasta healthy or not is much less straightforward than it seems. Like all things that are absolutely delicious, there is a limit to how much pasta should feature in a balanced diet. However, that doesn’t mean that noodles, ravioli and everything in between are automatically disastrous from a health point of view.

Italian Study Says that Pasta Won't Make You Fat

It’s Italians themselves who are saying pasta's not so bad for your health. It’s sort of like getting medical advice from the sun-bleached stoma that is a Marlboro Man.

Pasta Is Healthier Than You Think, And It's Even Healthier as Leftovers

When we talk about reducing intake of refined carbohydrates, think first of sweets that are eaten alone, before you cut the staple carbohydrates that are often served with vegetables – arguably the healthiest core food group!

Pasta key to healthy sustainable diet, says Italian celebrity chef

Bottura advocates a new way of thinking about pasta that could be controversial in Italy. It calls on chefs to work with farmers and the industry to make good-tasting pasta using alternative grains such as quinoa.

Pasta’s History and Role in Healthful Diets

Over the years, pasta has gained an unearned reputation as a contributor to health issues, such as weight gain, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The sustained popularity of low-carbohydrate diets has further propagated the belief that eating pasta is bad for health, but the evidence is insufficient to support these perceptions.

Rejoice! Food Scientist Says Pasta Is Way Healthier Than You'd Think

Carb lovers, today's your lucky day — an Australian food scientist has shot down criticisms that claim pasta is an unhealthy food.

Research Check: is it true pasta doesn’t make you gain weight, and could even help you lose it?

Most people think eating pasta will lead to weight-gain, but a recent study found otherwise. It’s no suprise such a conclusion made headlines.

Stop hating on pasta – it actually has a healthy ratio of carbs, protein and fat

The news for pasta gets even better when we eat it as leftovers. When pasta is cooked and cooled, some of the carbohydrates convert to resistant starch. This starch gets its name from being resistant to digestion, so it contributes less energy and is better for blood sugar levels. So, your leftover pasta, even if you reheat it, is lower in calories than the night before.

The Healthiest Types of Pasta

Traditional white pasta isn't necessarily a bad food. It's low in fat, and many versions supply essential nutrients such as protein and iron. White pasta isn't the most nutritious type of pasta out there, however. Pasta made with higher-fiber ingredients and vegetables tend to be higher in certain essential nutrients.

Resources

10 Healthy Pastas You Can Feel Good About Eating

Here’s the thing: The evidence showing how bad refined carbs are for your health (think: obesity, heart disease, and inflammation) just keeps building up. So, more companies have rushed to innovate in the space, creating healthier pastas made from ingredients like whole and ancient grains and legumes. That means healthier pasta options for all (even if your Italian grandmother would not totally approve).

Share The Pasta

The National Pasta Association’s Share the Pasta campaign celebrates pasta’s delicious taste, cooking ease, versatility, and more. Share The Pasta with family, friends, and all those in your life.