Written by “Tomatoes and oregano make it Italian; wine and tarragon make it French. Sour cream makes it Russian; lemon and cinnamon make it Greek. Soy sauce makes it Chinese; garlic makes it good.” Alice May Brock
Do you love pasta meals but are afraid to eat them because of their calories? Good carbohydrates are an essential part of a balanced, healthy diet and pasta is a good tasting option, however, there is the issue of calories.
If pasta is your favorite carbohydrate, there is no reason to skip your favorite pasta meal. You just need to know some simple facts on which pasta is good for you and which isn’t. Here are some tips to help you keep eating pasta and stay healthy.
1. Skip the pasta made with white flour. White flour has less nutrients and fiber than whole grain pasta and not so good for your weight. Choose the pasta that are made with whole grains. Whole grains are full of nutrients and fiber that are good for you.
2. Like your pasta mushy? Well, it’s time to explore what al dente world is like. This is when you cook pasta until it is tender but no mushy. This allows pasta to have lower glycemic index than fully cooked pasta. What does low glycemic index mean? It means that pasta with lower glycemic index gets digested slower than fully cooked pasta which minimizes spikes in blood sugar level. This is better for weight management because if you eat mushy pasta, you can spike your blood sugar level. If you have a lot of blood sugar floating around then your body thinks that it needs to convert this sugar to fat for storage. Of course, we don’t want that.
3. Skip the creamy sauces: If there is anything that says “cream” in the sauce you are using for your pasta, skip it. Creamy sauces are loaded with fat and empty calories. You can enjoy even tastier pasta dishes adding tomato sauce or no sauce at all. Try tossing your pasta with with a tasty low fat Italian dressing for pasta salad or toss it with cooked vegetables and a zesty squeeze of lemon juice. 86 the sauce and you can eat more pasta:)
4. How often can you eat pasta? 2-3 times per week is good. Keep in mind that quantity is the key. Moderation and moderation. Don’t load up your plate with heaping portions of pasta. Instead, add a ton of vegetables for flavor and added fiber without overdosing on too many added calories.
Jennie Yoon Buchanan M.D.
P.S. I look forward to answering your questions and reading your comments about pasta recipes and other healthy living tips. Send them directly to me at the address below:
DrYoon@PinkIsPowerful.com
