Do I have to ditch pasta to lose weight? Dietitian says NO!
Leslie Beck, registered dietitian and national director of nutrition at BodyScience Medical answers the question, “I love pasta. Can I eat it and still lose weight?” in an article for The Global and Mail.
Leslie notes, “By itself, pasta is a nutritious food. It contains almost no fat, cholesterol and sodium and is an excellent source of low glycemic carbohydrates. Foods with a low glycemic index are broken down slowly in the body and release their carbohydrate (glucose) gradually into the bloodstream. As a result, they can help you feel full longer after eating.”
She does caution, however, to watch your portion size and to make sure that your pasta meals are not filled with heavy-cream or cheesy sauces. By topping your pasta with tomato sauce, you have a dish which is low in calories and high in important vitamins like A and C. And, if you include a lean protein in your sauce, like chicken, turkey, or beans you are more likely to stay satisfied and not reach for a snack later.
Check out Leslie Beck’s full advice including some more tips on portion sizes here.
