For years, pasta has gotten a bad rap as being a food that makes you fat. But is this really true? Italian people eat tons of pasta every year - and how many overweight Italians have you seen? The answer is probably not very many. So what is the truth behind this concept? Does pasta really make you fat? Is it the pasta or the sauce? Pasta is almost entirely from carbohydrates. Like protein, carbohydrates contain four calories per gram. To put that in perspective, fat contains nine calories per gram, and alcohol seven calories per gram. Foods that contain carbohydrates are actually some of the "lower calorie" items available. In addition, pasta is typically prepared in a very healthy way - it's boiled in water. Even the addition of salt is typically so minor that it really can't make a huge impact on the "healthiness" of the pasta. Unless your watching your sodium to (I do with my high blood pressure). Let's face it... it's the pasta sauce that most likely makes you fat. Let's consider one popular type of pasta sauce: Alfredo sauce. Alfredo sauce is practically a heart attack in a bite. (unless you make the Alfredo I posted on my recipes) It's made with milk, cream and cheese, all of which contain large amounts of saturated fat. Alfredo sauce typically contains a large amount of sodium, which is also extremely detrimental to your health. Sodium can lead to damage of the arteries, damaging the heart and leading to chronic disease states, and it also makes you retain water, leaving you feeling fat and bloated. Aside from these health risks, milk, cream and cheese are loaded with fat and calories. Think about it - one ounce of cheese contains 100 calories, and in a serving of Alfredo sauce you are probably getting at least four ounces of cheese. That's 400 calories in just the sauce alone! While marinara sauce, which is typically composed of tomatoes, garlic, basil and other seasonings is a bit healthier, it still contains tons of added salt. The Verdict So, is this fact or fiction? Does pasta make you fat? That question is tricky to answer. Pasta in and of itself is really not that much of a devil in weight gain. Rather, it is the huge portions of pasta that we are served, along with the amount of (and ingredients in) the sauce that typically leads to the weight gain associated with eating pasta. If you are a pasta junkie but are trying to lose weight, don't fret. Consider preparing pasta at home, where you can control both the portion size, brand, and the amount and type of sauce that are served. Remember, moderation in everything will be effective in your weight loss goals!
21 Comments
javier
6/24/2011 08:53:23 am
Reply
Just made bow tie pasta last night w chicken, pesto, artichokes, sliced zuccini from garden...olive oil, real butter, fresh lime juice, and minced garlic. The pasta is made by Barilla..."farafell (spelling)"...made w proteins, grains...love the meal.
Reply
Vicki
6/25/2011 03:36:41 am
I totally agree Javier! I use Ronzoni Smart Taste, they even have elbows to make a healthy pasta salad or mac salad!
Reply
Eric Andrist
6/27/2011 01:00:54 am
That's why I made up a lower-cal version of Olive Garden's Pastachetti's for dinner tonight. Fat free ricotta, egg beaters fat-free mozarella and Classico lower fat Alfredo. Topped with some spinach and a splash of olive oil. Comes out to 5 points for 2 pieces. Deeeelicious!
Reply
Vicki Cawthon
6/29/2011 12:26:41 pm
What an awesome copycat healthy version! Thanks so much for sharing it~~
Reply
8/6/2012 09:21:16 pm
Great blog ...Thanks for your great information, the contents are quiet interesting.I will be waiting for your next post.
Reply
10/26/2020 01:06:00 am
Your thing with respect to making will be for all intents and purposes nothing hard to come by of amazing. This instructive article is unimaginably valuable and contains offered myself a superior answer for have the option to my own issues.
Reply
10/6/2021 08:02:00 am
I ᴡas гecommended this blog by my cousin. I ɑm not syre whether this post is written by him as nobody else knlw such detailed аbout my diffіculty. Үou are wonderful! Thаnks!
Reply
2/17/2022 01:21:09 am
I simply needed to tell you all that I added another rundown. It has taken me for some time to tell everybody because of server issues. Everything ought to be in the groove again now.
Reply
2/17/2022 08:53:31 am
For latest news you need to visit internet and on internet I observed this site as a best site for latest updates.
Reply
2/18/2022 11:53:22 pm
Xpertscm construction Company is leading construction Company and ranking at the top most position in the list of construction companies in Bihar. They are involve in many commercial and residential projects.
Reply
2/25/2022 12:22:03 am
When planning to endorse a product or organise an event ticketing we need to first design a website that is customer friendly and it should be compatible with both mobile and desktop/laptop.
Reply
2/25/2022 03:31:13 am
Blog content strategy can be an exciting experience for your business. If you’re not creating content without a clear strategy in mind, things might not turn out the way you want them to.
Reply
2/25/2022 10:10:46 am
Posting inquiries are truly critical thing in case you are not understanding something totally, with the exception of this post offers great agreement yet.
Reply
5/8/2022 12:54:59 pm
Very valuable information, it is not at all blogs that we find this, congratulations I was looking for something like that and found it here.
Reply
6/6/2022 12:44:34 am
Thanks for sharing such a great information.. It really helpful to me..I always search to read the quality content and finally i found this in you post. keep it up!
Reply
6/27/2022 12:03:57 pm
Very valuable information, congratulations I was looking for something like that and found it here.
Reply
11/24/2022 08:56:56 pm
cpvc pipes and installation are a good option for GI and ordinary pipes since they are lighter, non-corrosive, and long-lasting. These pipes are made out of lead-free materials. As a result, they are secure, healthy, and environmentally friendly.
Reply
11/24/2022 10:00:23 pm
Find here Plastic Granules, Plastic Dana manufacturers, suppliers & exporters in India. Get contact details & address of companies manufacturing and all about us.
Reply
11/24/2022 10:29:00 pm
Today, many people are using the internet to get information on plants. This can be a great way to learn more about plants and their behavior. Additionally, it can be an excellent way to find new plants to grow or to sell.
Reply
3/21/2023 11:58:58 pm
Achieving the perfect look for your living space begins with a custom interior design from Design Plus Studio. Whether you're looking for help with a home remodel, or just want something new in an existing room, our professional designers can help transform your space into something that reflects your personality and lifestyle.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorVicki will be writing on here periodically so stay tuned! Archives
July 2014
Categories
All
|