Is pasta really good for me?
Is pasta really good for me?
This blog post is sponsored by Barilla. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Pasta is one of my favorite carbohydrates and honestly we have it 3-4x a week in our household, #AD which is why I am so excited to be writing this blog sponsored by Barilla to debunk myths around pasta and also give you some fun, delicious ideas for lunch and dinner! Quick meals are my fave and pasta certainly gets me in and out of the kitchen quickly!
The number one myth I need to bust when working with clients is “carbs are bad” or “I need to reduce my carbs’” but I am here to tell you that carbs get a bad rep. First things first, they are our body's primary source of energy. And it's the only nutrient our brain uses! Not to mention, it provides tons of energy and can be part of a balanced and varied diet. The key word here “varied” as in you need to have a variety of carbohydrates in your day and pasta is a great way to do that.
To help Americans let go of their fear of pasta, Barilla developed over 20 pasta recipe builders as way to inspire others to create better pasta recipes with veggies, lean protein, and healthy oils to help you feel your best and enjoy tons of nutrition and variety. By choosing one item from each category, you will build a pasta recipe under 500 calories or less. Pasta is an amazing side or main dish, and it is super versatile. Pasta is a powerhouse for nutrition and includes nutrients like iron, fiber, and b vitamins - all which are needed for a healthy pattern of eating.
A recent study, published in Frontiers in Nutrition (2020) found pasta consumption was associated with a better diet quality and lower intakes of nutrients such as saturated fats and added sugars which we want to be mindful of. Another study found that 1 in 5 Americans who consumed pasta as part of their healthy and varied eating patterns had a 20% overall better quality of nutrition in their diets, because it included a variety of nutrients such as vitamin D, fiber, and magnesium. People who enjoy mixed pasta dishes as well as rice, and other grain mixed dishes also had an increase of nutrients. That's because carbs provide a nutrient dense option that is satisfying and nutritious.
Point is, we do not have to fear food, we must especially reduce our fear around carbs! What we need to do is embrace variety. And with the help of Barilla’s pasta recipe builders, you can enjoy pasta in many different ways and in many different cuisines!
Check out this recipe from Barilla’s Pasta Salad Recipe builder: The Perfect Pasta Salad:
You start off picking your fave barilla pasta, I went with the protein + farfalle, use a whole box, cooked and drained (and have leftovers for a few days)!
Add 4 tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp of lemon juice
1.5 cups of veggies: I used red peppers, green peppers and tomatoes
12 oz. thinly sliced grilled chicken
1 cup of fresh mozzarella cheese
Lastly, top off with fresh basil about ¼ cup
If you're feeling extra fancy, sprinkle with fresh parm cheese!
Pick your own toppings from here and enjoy!!
