Get The Facts About Pasta

Pasta is often mistaken as one of those foods that we need to cut back due to recent fads promoting low-carb diets. However, despite misconceptions, pasta does provide the perfect foundation for a healthy meal. Andrea Holwegner, a Canadian Registered Dietitian, sets the record straight and offers some insight that may change the way you think about this popular food:

1. It is part of a healthy diet – Pasta can serve as the foundation for a balanced meal when eaten in recommended amounts and combined with healthy accompaniments such as vegetables and lean proteins.

2. Pasta is a good source of energy – Carbohydrates supply the body with its key energy source – glucose. Consuming carbohydrates can help improve performance in a high-intensity exercise, such as swimming or soccer for 90 minutes or longer.

3. It helps to keep you full – Pasta is digested more slowly than many carbohydrate-rich foods due to its low glycemic index, helping delay hunger pangs and providing fuel for working muscles.

4. The variety meets nutritional needs and taste expectations – Some pastas have added nutrients, which makes them an even healthier choice for everyone. “Consider a pasta like Barilla PLUS, which is a delicious option for busy families or picky eaters. It has protein, omega-3 and fiber all in one meal,” says Holwegner.

5. Pasta can be a calorie-friendly food – A one-cup serving of cooked pasta is about 200 calories, is low in fat (about 1 gram, with no saturated or trans fats), cholesterol-free, and is low in sodium (unless you add salt to the cooking water).

Pasta recipe ideas recommended by Andrea Holwegner are available at www.barilla.ca.

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