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Updated
Reading 2 min.
in collaboration with
Alexandra Murcier (Liberal dietician-nutritionist)
Medical validation:
November 13, 2023
Whether it’s penne or spaghetti, it’s hard to say no to a plate of pasta. But what happens if you eat it every day? Is this a habit to banish? The response from Alexandra Murcier, dietitian-nutritionist.
With tomato, pesto, garlic… Pasta comes in countless recipes. So much so that it is difficult to do without it! But can we still consume it every day? Answer.
Pasta, our great friends?
Whatever our age and situation, pasta has this little taste of universality. Everyone consumes it; in all sauces. This does not prevent them from being regularly singled out: judged to be too fatty, too heavy, or even responsible for gluten intolerance… Their (good) reputation lives up to the criticism leveled at them. So, for pasta lovers, times are tough: can they (really) eat pasta every day without affecting their health? Yes, answers our nutritionist, even if it is preferable to vary the intake of starchy foods.
“Whatever the food, if it is consumed every day, it becomes less interesting. Instead, you should vary your diet as much as possible in order to avoid deficiencies. This also applies to starchy foods: of course, you can eat pasta every day as part of a balanced diet; but it is better to alternate with quinoa, rice, wheat, etc., to obtain different nutrients. Ideally, I would therefore recommend eating pasta two to three times a week maximum.“, admits Alexandra Murcier.
NO to diets, YES to WW!
If, despite everything, you border on obsession with carbonara, it is better to learn how to choose your pasta wisely, just to limit the damage.
“Choose whole or semi-whole wheat pasta, richer in fiber and with a lower glycemic index. Pasta with vegetables or legumes are also excellent alternatives, from a taste and health point of view.“, confides the expert.
Also be careful to compose your plate carefully: pasta, yes, but with vegetables and a portion of animal or vegetable proteins.
Also be careful with the sauce, which tips the scales in the wrong direction: homemade tomato sauce yes, crème fraîche and gruyere cheese, not every evening. It is in fact the way pasta is cooked that often poses a problem, and not the pasta itself, which keeps the digestive system healthy, reduces glycemic peaks and provides energy.