One recent study found that individuals who are on a low- GI diet lost weight when they ate pasta. Contrary to common belief, pasta is actually a low-glycemic index food meaning consuming it does not drastically spike blood sugar. Although rice contains fewer calories, pasta contains more fiber and protein. Rice also has a high glycemic index causing blood sugar to spike more drastically than pasta.
Although white pasta is a refined grain, it still contains vitamin B, fiber, and iron. Furthermore, whole-grain pasta contains fiber, manganese, copper, and phosphorus.
A review that was published in the journal BMJ Open focused on individuals on a low-GI diet that included pasta. According to Dr. John Sievenpiper, “In fact, analysis actually showed a small weight loss. So contrary to concerns, perhaps pasta can be part of a healthy diet such as a low GI diet.” The key to pasta consumption is everything in moderation. Italy is one of the world’s healthiest countries and pasta is served often. Nevertheless, the portion sizes are much smaller than in America, a country that serves excessive amounts of every food.
Dr. Jogn Sllevenpiper concluded, “In weighing the evidence, we can now say with some confidence that pasta does not have an adverse effect on body weight outcomes when it is consumed as part of a healthy dietary pattern.”
