Is Pasta Bad for You?
Pasta is one of the most beloved comfort foods on the planet, and the average American eats nearly 20 pounds of it every year—which amounts to 2.7 million tons of pasta consumed annually in the U.S., according to the International Pasta Organization. We prepare it in myriad and delicious ways: hot, cold, covered in tomato sauce or cream, tossed with meat, poultry, veggies, or seafood, or eaten with just a pat of butter and some garlic. But as good as pasta is for our taste buds and our souls, is pasta bad for you in terms of your health? The answer is complicated.
A little bit of history first: The exact origins of pasta are difficult to trace, but what we do know is that it originated thousands of years ago in central Asia, where it was made from various plant-based flours. The process traveled westward and was further refined once it reached the Mediterranean, where durum wheat became the main ingredient in pasta flour, and where pasta was mixed with fresh vegetables and herbs.
Pasta was brought to America by early Spanish settlers, but it didn’t become popular until Thomas Jefferson tried it during an extended trip to Paris between 1784 and 1789 and then sang its praises when he returned home. When large groups of Italian immigrants relocated to the states in the late 19th century, pasta became even more in demand.
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Is Pasta Bad for You? The Pros and Cons
According to the USDA, 1/8 of a package of dry spaghetti contains the following:
- 200 calories
- 7 grams of protein
- 1 gram of fat
- 41 grams of carbohydrates
- 2 grams of fiber
- 2 grams of sugar
- 8 milligrams of iron
- 4 milligrams of niacin
- 25 milligrams of riboflavin
3 COMMON MYTHS ABOUT PASTA
Myth: “Pasta doesn’t have any nutritional value.”
Fact: Not only does pasta contain complex carbs that help give you energy, but many varieties are enriched with essential vitamins and minerals.
Myth: “I’m trying to lose weight, so I shouldn’t be eating pasta.”
Fact: One serving of pasta contains only around 200 calories and one gram of fat, and its low glycemic index can help you control your appetite.
Myth: “Pasta is made from GMO wheat.”
Fact: There is no genetically modified wheat or wheat products that are commercially grown or sold in North America.
Looking at these stats, there are both pros and cons. On one hand, pasta is low in fat, sodium, and calories, high in protein, free of cholesterol, and enriched with vitamins and minerals. On the other hand, it’s high in carbohydrates and contains only a moderate amount of fiber. So, what does this mean? Is pasta bad for you?
The answer is no—as long as you consume pasta is a healthy way. Make sure to read the “4 Healthier Ways to Eat Pasta” section below before serving pasta for dinner tonight.
And here’s some more good news to share if someone asks the question, “Is pasta bad for you?” Studies also show pasta consumption is linked with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. This may be due to many factors. When pasta is cooked and cooled, it becomes a resistant starch, which is not broken down by digestive enzymes. Resistant starch increases fat burning and reduces the fat storage of fat cells, suggesting it may help with weight loss.
4 Healthier Ways to Eat Pasta
Like most comfort foods, it’s okay to eat pasta, but only in moderation. Here’s how to make your next bowl of pasta a healthier one:
- Stick to the serving size. A healthy serving size of pasta will vary, depending on the size and type of noodle. But, in general, it’s only between one and one-half of a cup (before cooking), which is a lot less than what most people eat during one meal. Measure your pasta before cooking and stick to smaller portions at lunch time and a slightly larger portion at dinner.
FUN PASTA FACTS
- There are 600 different shapes of pasta produced around the world, according to the International Pasta Organization.
- You’ve probably already guessed that Italy is the country that eats the most pasta worldwide, but did you know that Tunisia and Venezuela are #2 and #3 on the list?
- According to a recent survey, Americans rank spaghetti as their favorite pasta, followed by penne and rotini.
- Cook your pasta “al dente” (firm). Besides providing a superior texture and flavor, cooking your pasta “al dente”—which means “to the tooth” in Italian—has a lower glycemic index than pasta that is cooked longer for a softer texture, according to LiveStrong.com. Foods with a lower glycemic index are healthier for diabetics and those seeking better blood sugar control.
- Choose healthy sauces and toppings. Instead of topping your pasta with cream- or butter-based sauces, loads of cheese, and fatty meats, try healthier choices like olive oil, assorted vegetables, lean protein, red pepper flakes, herbs, onions, and garlic. If you’re craving a sauce to top your pasta, avoid jarred sauces that often contain additional sugar, fat, calories, and preservatives.
- Try an alternative pasta. These days, one trip to your local grocery store will reveal a variety of alternative pasta made with whole wheat, legumes, brown rice, buckwheat, or quinoa. Alternative pastas often have more fiber and protein and fewer carbohydrates than durum wheat pasta. Some types are also suitable for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
GLUTEN-FREE GREEK PASTA SALAD
Prep: 15 minutes
Assembly: 2 minutes
This gluten-free pasta salad can be made ahead. Ingredients can be cut up the day before eating. The pasta can be cooked, cooled and stored in a large bowl, covered with plastic wrap. The dressing can be made ahead and stored at room temperature until served.
MAKES 6 SERVINGS.
Ingredients:
4 quarts water
1 teaspoon salt
1 (8-ounce) package small gluten-free pasta shells or elbows, under-cooked by 2 to 3 minutes
1 tablespoon olive oil
20 cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
¾ cup roasted red peppers, drained and coarsely chopped
¾ cup crumbled feta cheese or dairy-free cheese replacement, optional
½ cup pitted Kalamata olives, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
Salt, optional, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, optional, to taste
Greek Dressing
¼ cup good-quality olive oil
¼ cup + 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon fresh or dry oregano
1 teaspoon sugar
Directions:
- Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Stir in 1 teaspoon salt and add pasta. Follow package instructions except undercook pasta by 2 to 3 minutes or until it’s opaque but firm. Rinse in cold water and drain well. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Return to pot.
- Add tomatoes, chickpeas, red peppers, feta cheese (if using), Kalamata olives, 1 tablespoon basil, and thyme to drained pasta, tossing to combine.
- To make dressing, place ¼ cup olive oil, vinegar, garlic, 2 teaspoons basil, oregano, and sugar in a medium bowl and whisk to combine.
- Drizzle dressing over pasta, tossing gently until ingredients are evenly coated. Taste before adding salt and pepper, as feta and olives are salty.
- Transfer pasta salad to a serving bowl and chill 1 to 2 hours. Alternatively, serve at room temperature. Leftover salad will keep 1 day in the refrigerator.
Each serving with dressing contains 381 calories 18g total fat, 6g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 17mg cholesterol, 799mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate, 7g fiber, 5g sugars, 11g protein, 22Est GL.
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