Pasta has gotten a bad rap lately as a fattening, simple carbohydrate. The mantra today from nutritionists and health gurus is "no white food". Well if you have a problem with digesting gluten, as in celiac disease, or just have a sensitivity to wheat, you may just have to avoid pasta. There are some pastas today made from rice; however, and they are available at many health food stores. I have tried these pastas and the flavor is not bad, but the texture is softer and stickier – just as you would expect from a noodle made from white rice. For those with serious problems with wheat, this may be a good option, yet most of us can eat pasta in moderation.
Another group who avoids pasta are the serious low-carb dieters. If your doctor has put you on a low-carb diet, by all means follow that advice. But for many people just looking to lose weight, there are some drawbacks to a strict low-carb diet. Carbs convert to glucose which is the fuel for your brain. This could be why many people who have tried to stick to very low-carb diets have suffered from low energy and bad moods. I know I would be in a bad mood if I never got to eat my favorite pastas!
Can you lose weight and still eat pasta?
Many people can if they watch their quantities and include some exercise in their day. Pasta itself in not really that fattening, however you do need to be careful about the sauces your choose. Nonetheless, pasta has been lumped into the group of a simple carbohydrates such as white flour pastries, cakes, cookies and breads. The problem with these carbohydrates is their high Glycemic index, which is basically a number that measures how quickly a food spikes your blood sugar level. Fortunately pasta has a GI of 41, which is lower than many types of bread and there are ways to lower it even further.
An easy way to lower the GI of pasta is to cook it "al dente" just as the Italians, and not overcooked and mushy as many Americans do. Another way to lower the GI and increase the nutrition of pasta is to use whole wheat flour and other ingredients such as spinach. This is the major advantage of making your own fresh pasta at home.
You don't need a fancy or expensive pasta machine, however, a nice inexpensive hand crank pasta machine is easy and fun to use.
Fresh pasta contains contain plenty of B vitamins, folic acid, fiber and iron. It's low in sodium and, despite a prevalent myth, pasta is not high in cholesterol even though it is usually made with eggs. You can add your fresh herbs, garlic and many other ingredients to flavor your for pasta. Try these easy homemade pasta recipes and start making your own delicious and nutritious pasta today!
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