Pasta Facts

So many health fanatics and dieters do their best to avoid eating carbohydrates because they think that it will prevent them from losing weight. However, carbohydrates are an essential part of our diet and they shouldn't be cut out.

Provided you exercise regularly and you have a healthy diet, carbohydrates are no problem. Those of you who want to kick-start a healthy diet or lifestyle after seeing adverts for Aviva Life  or Slimfast on TV, then you're in the right place. Eating well is all about having a balanced diet so don't feel like you have to avoid carbohydrates.

However, there are good and bad carbohydrates which you should learn about. Bad carbs come in the form of cookies, white bread, rice and pasta. These foods have been stripped of their minerals and have had salt, sugar and other additives added to them. Believe it or not, a couple of slices of white bread actually has the same amount of salt as a bag of chips.

Good carbs come in the form of whole-wheat pasta, brown bread and brown rice. Rye bread is an excellent source of fibre and it also helps to regulate your blood sugar levels by providing long lasting energy.

When you go out for dinner, you can easily choose a healthy pasta dish. Look for pasta which comes in a tomato or a light olive oil and pesto sauce. Avoid pasta which is mixed with unhealthy sauces like cheese and cream.

In addition, you can make a few simple changes to your favorite pasta dishes to make them healthier. For example, if you want to make a lasagne, use extra lean cuts of mince, or even a meat substitute. Rather than topping the pasta with a fatty cheese sauce, use crème fraîche instead and mix it with a small amount of light mozzarella.