If you are an Italian food lover, you might have heard that a recent research named pasta as a good option for healthy diet. This has come as a surprise as we had always associated it with unhealthy diet - full of carbs and cheese. But, this study shunned these notions and we are quite happy about it. The research found that intake of pasta led to better diet quality for kids and adults, and also helped women with weight loss. Exciting, isn't it?
The study titled, "Pasta Consumption is Linked to Greater Nutrient Intakes and Improved Diet Quality in American Children and Adults, and Beneficial Weight-Related Outcomes Only in Adult Females" was carried out by Nutritional Strategies, Inc. on behalf of the National Pasta Association. The study results were published in the journal 'Frontiers in Nutrition'.
Here are the core findings of the study that pointed out the benefits of consuming pasta in a healthy way-
- Better overall diet quality (as measured by USDA's Healthy Eating Index-2010 scale).
- Greater intake of key shortfall nutrients in children and adults: folate, iron, magnesium, and dietary fiber and vitamin E.
- Lower daily intakes of saturated fat and added sugars.
- Lower body weight, waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) in adult women.
(Also Read: Weight Loss: Replace Regular Noodles With This Low-Carb Meat Spaghetti)
Eating pasta in moderation can help women lose weight.
If these findings are to be believed, all those women who used to avoid their beloved pasta fearing weight gain, no longer have to look the other way. But before you go all out and start bingeing on your favourite pasta, let's see what the experts have to say about it.
Nutritionist and Macrobiotic Health Coach, Shilpa Arora says, "No food group is good or bad; moderation is the key. A balanced approach to eating and energy expenditure is critical. We have this huge fuss around diets but the real problem is with modern lifestyles and time spent not outdoors but with gadgets, limiting movement and energy expenditure. So enjoy your pasta or dosa but move around to stay active. Limit phone time, do simple chores in your house, skip or walk or cycle and eat well."
Consultant nutritionist Rupali Dutta weighs in, "It is important to consume fibre and high-quality carbohydrates but portion control is essential if you want to lose weight."
Taking it all under consideration, we say, go ahead and enjoy pasta on weight loss diet at times but instead of adding gobs of cheese, fill your pasta bowl with lots of veggies.