Can Pasta Be Part of a Healthy Diet?

10/7/2020

Pasta is typically one of the first foods to go when people are looking to reduce calories and carbs in their diet. But with some knowledge of what pasta does for your body, you can easily make it part of your diet and keep it around.

• Calories and Carbs and More
Most pasta contains around 200 calories and 40g carbs per cup, so it’s not really considered a low-calorie or low-carb food. That doesn’t necessarily make it bad, but it’s important to have this knowledge and adjust accordingly to your dietary needs. Pasta also contains a good variety of nutrients like protein, B6, manganese, iron, and thiamin, among others.

• Whole-Grain Can Help
Going with whole-grain pasta over the usual white pasta can help shave off calories and carbs and also increase fiber intake. This will help increase your feelings of fullness as it takes longer to digest. It’s worth noting too that pasta is considered a low-glycemic index food, which means it won’t spike your blood sugar levels like high-glycemic foods do.

• Watch the Sauce
Most off-the-shelf pasta sauces are very high in sugar and add lots of calories (usually around 70 calories per ½ cup) to your dishes unknowingly and unnecessarily. Consider making your own using tomato sauce and adding spices. Or keep things simple and go with just roasted garlic and some olive oil and spices like red pepper flakes, basil, and oregano.

• Balance It Out
Pasta is great because it’s so versatile. Add plenty of vegetables to your pasta dish and top it with your choice of lean protein to make it a complete and balanced meal. You’ll also increase everyone’s satisfaction and fullness with these additions.

• Gluten-Sensitivity
Those with celiac disease or gluten-sensitivity have options as well. There are gluten-free varieties of pasta available that switch out the wheat ingredients with things like brown rice or quinoa.

• Moderation
Like most things you eat, moderation is key. If you’re realistic with your pasta serving sizes and what you put on top, pasta can definitely be part of your healthy diet.

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Amanda is a mother of three (10, 7, and 5) and has been married for 14 years. My weight loss journey started July 17, 2008, one day after my daughter's first birthday. Tipping the scales at 235 pounds at 5'3, being an over weight, over tired, out of shape role model no longer appealed to me and I knew it was time for a change. Three pregnancies later, I had lost a total of 105 pounds. I had run 2 marathons and dozens of half marathons. Something was missing. I was thin, but I wasn't fit. I wasn't healthy. I could feel it in my insides. I was 136 pounds and a size 8. Something didn't add up. I got my certification in personal training, nutrition, weight management, and dove into supplementation and whole foods. 90 days later, I gained 10 pounds and lost two pants sizes (8 to a 4).

Continuing on this path, all of my clients wanted to know how I was doing it. I always dreamed of creating a business that truly added value to people and improved their health. My husband, Grant, and I decided it was time to take that leap.

December 9, 2016, Simply Prepped Meals was born. Based around the mission of providing whole food based nutrition to people's doorsteps, we set out to create a new idea that fast food didn't have to be expensive or bad for you. Six months later, we built our permanent location in Cynthiana, IN. Then, January 2, 2018, we entered into a partnership with the YMCA of Southern Indiana to continue spreading the word of meal prep and eating with purpose.

Amanda coaches individually as well as continues to drive their business. Any questions about personal coaching can be directed to her at [email protected]

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