We Know That Pasta Is Delicious, But Is It Fattening Or Not Fattening?
As long as we accompany it with healthy ingredients and not high-calorie sauces, and consume it at noon, pasta does not have to make us gain weight.
Among all the foods that surround us, pasta is one of the most popular in the world. The origin of the pasta is not entirely clear. Some place it in the Ancient East and introduced in the Western world by Marco Polo in the 13th century; other historians assure that, in the Rome of Cicero, it was already an important part of the popular diet.
What is certain is that pasta has very bad publicity : a lot of flour, which is equal to a lot of carbohydrates and calories, without higher nutritional values. The consequence, a priori, are extra kilos.
In search of balance with pasta
Any healthy eating regimen seeks to establish a balance, a balance. It is clear that there are people who go to extremes and consider that pasta (and a very long list of foods) should not be consumed, believing that there are more harm than good.
It is important to keep in mind that the human body needs carbohydrates and calories to function well, and you have to eat everything.
Proponents of pasta (which has many, not only in Italy) point out that a plate of this food contains around 300 caloric points, which represents about 15% of what an active body needs per day. The reality is that most pasta is made from durum wheat semolina (the richest of all cereals). Therefore, the contribution in vitamins and minerals is very interesting.
Many of the pastas also contain eggs, milk, vegetables, protein supplements (known as fortified pastas), and vitamin and mineral supplements (enriched pastas).
It is recommended to consume the pasta at noon, since at that time the carbohydrates do not generate as much resistance to be processed.
Therefore, pasta is not fattening
The most important thing to keep in mind is that you are not responsible for the extra pounds. However, cheese, mayonnaise, most sauces (especially industrially packaged ones), and many of the condiments and side dishes that are served are fattening.
Desserts and drinks should also be included in the list of the generators of extra pounds. A simple glass of soda provides the same calories as a plate of spaghetti, without adding anything positive to the body. It should be borne in mind that these products contain large amounts of fructose, a nutrient that has been shown to increase the incidence of liver disease when consumed in excess.
For this reason, it is not the pasta that makes you fatter, but the accompaniments that we add to make the tastiest and most succulent snack.
For many people it is essential to add cheese in quantity and butter. It is not a question of definitively banishing these supplements, but of ingesting them with extreme moderation.
Healthy cooking options
There are other options to take pasta, which do not go through the well-known barbecue, Neapolitan, carbonara, etc. sauces. They are recipes that have come to us from Italy, but it is also cooked there in many other ways.
Pasta, especially in summer, can be eaten as a salad. A good dressing of garlic, lemon and some spices will be enough to make the dish very appetizing. In this way, phytonutrients with the ability to combat the appearance of free radicals will be added to the dish, according to a study published in Critical Reviews in Eukaryotic Gene Expression. To ensure the presence of these compounds, it is necessary to include vegetables on the plate.
To this must be added the ease it has to combine with any other ingredient. This is the case of fruits, vegetables, etc. For the summer time, it is a good option to combine refreshing fruits and a healthy dressing in the dishes.
The spices
How can salt and those sauces that add flavor to pasta dishes be substituted? With spices. When cooking pasta, oregano, spearmint and many other spices and aromatic herbs blend perfectly with the overall flavor of the dish.
Most of the spices are widely beneficial for health. An example of them would be turmeric. There is evidence that confirms its ability to fight inflammation.
In short, eating pasta makes you fat, yes or no?
Moderation and balance are the key elements in answering this question. As always happens in diets, it is essential to avoid excesses. Especially when it comes to sauces and cheeses. But remember: pasta alone is not fattening.
It is essential to ensure that healthy lifestyle habits are carried out to ensure correct weight control. Practicing physical activity regularly or guaranteeing a good rest is essential, in addition to taking care of your diet. Only then will you be able to avoid fat weight gain.
