Why Loving Pasta Is Oh-So-Right (And No, It Won't Make You Fat)

Pasta may get a bad rap when it comes to weight loss, but that’s because it’s so misunderstood. Studies show that this Mediterranean staple can help you lose weight…and much more. 


Here are five reasons that pasta is a perfectly healthy addition to your plate: 


1. Pasta is nutrient-rich. Pasta is an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, the body’s primary fuel for energy and is an important part of a healthy diet. That’s why, according to the USDA, carbohydrates like pasta should provide about 45% to 65% of your daily calories. 

Some of the essential nutrients in pasta include iron, folic acid, and other B vitamins. Plus, it’s the perfect foundation for other nutrient-packed foods, such as fiber-filled vegetables and beans, heart-healthy fish and monounsaturated oils, antioxidant-rich tomato sauce, poultry, and lean meats. 


2. Pasta won’t make you fat!
Despite the lingering notion that carbs, and pasta in particular, will make you gain weight, data shows that you can stay svelte and enjoy pasta. One cup of cooked pasta contains about 200 calories, in addition to valuable vitamins and minerals. It also fills you up so you don’t feel hungry while trying to lose weight.
What’s more, in Italy, where bread is a staple of the region, and traditional semolina pasta is the primary source of carbs, obesity rates are among the lowest in Europe. And a 2016 study found that pasta consumption was associated with a lower body mass index (BMI). 

3. Pasta gives you energy.
Complex carbohydrates like pasta are broken down to glucose, the crucial fuel for your brain and muscles. Unlike simple sugars that offer a quick, yet fleeting boost of energy, pasta’s complex carbohydrates provide a slow and steady release of energy. 


4. Pasta can be gluten-free.
Even those who avoid gluten can enjoy pasta.  While traditional pasta is made from gluten-containing durum semolina wheat or whole wheat, there are now gluten-free options available.  They’re often made from brown or white rice, corn, quinoa, or buckwheat, which are safe for those with Celiac Disease and gluten sensitivities. 


5. Pasta is planet-friendly!
Pasta is a simple, plant-based food that has only 4 ingredients – semolina flour, eggs, salt, and water and is one of the least energy intensive foods to produce. Compared to animal-based foods, it as a significantly lower carbon footprint. What’s more, enjoying traditional Mediterranean diet meals can make your overall diet more plant-based and planet-friendly. It also discourages food waste by helping to turn your leftover veggies into a delicious meal. 

Article source: http://blogs.webmd.com/food-and-nutrition/2017/08

Image source: http://i1.coventrytelegraph.net/incoming/article10159138.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Woman-eating-pasta.jpg

VOCABULARY WORDS:
1. Svelte ( adj )- slender, especially gracefully slender in figure
2. Fleeting ( adj )- passing swiftly vanishing quickly transient transitory
3. Semolina ( n )- a granular, milled product of durum wheat, consisting almost entirely of endosperm particles, used chiefly in the making of pasta.
4. Crucial ( adj )- involving an extremely important decision or result decisive critical
5. Intensive ( adj )- Medicine/Medical- instituting treatment to the limit of safety.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘pasta’?
2. Do you eat pasta? How often?
3. What do you know about the nutritional value of pasta?
4. Do you think pasta is better than other staple foods like rice, potatoes, bread, etc? Why or why not?