PASTA is a simple mixture of unleavened dough made from hard wheat flour, water and sometimes eggs. Popular types of pasta include macaroni, spaghetti, linguine, penne, fusilli, lasagne and ravioli. While there are many different recipes for fresh pasta dishes they all contain the same basic ingredients. But how many calories in a bowl of pasta. Discover here.
How many calories in a bowl of pasta?
There are approximately 220 kcal in one cup of cooked pasta (approx. 8oz)
Calorie breakdown:
Carbohydrates = 70g / 7%
Proteins = 6g / 9%
Fat = 2g / 1%
Recipe for a bowl of pasta
1 cup of pasta
0.75 cups of water
A dash of salt or soy sauce (optional)
Calories in 1 serving of pasta: 220 kcal
Steps to cook:
1. Place the pasta in a pot and pour in enough water to cover it completely.
2. Simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente (soft, but still has some bite). Drain off any excess water using a sieve or colander.
3. Season the pasta with salt or soy sauce (optional) and eat as desired.
Recommendation: Add legumes such as cannellini beans, red kidney beans, black-eyed peas or chickpeas to your dish for a boost in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibres. Fibre keeps the digestive tract healthy and helps to prevent constipation.
Is Pasta Healthy or Unhealthy?
Pasta is usually made from refined wheat flour, meaning that it contains little to no dietary fiber. This may lead to constipation and other digestion problems. Furthermore, refined wheat flour contains less nutrients than whole-grain or wholegrain flours.
Whole grain pasta (100%) will contain more vitamins and minerals than the regular equivalent but is also higher in calories. On the other hand, white pasta (made from refined wheat flour) has less than 2% of the recommended daily allowance of calcium and iron.
In order to increase the nutritional value of pasta it is best to combine it with a complex carbohydrate such as legumes, whole grains or vegetables. This increases the percentage of dietary fiber and makes for a more nutritious meal overall.
When trying to lose weight, pasta is not a good choice for a meal as it offers very little in terms of satiety. However, it can be enjoyed on occasion as part of a healthy diet plan.
Conclusion: Pasta is generally not a healthy component in a person’s diet, but adding more fibre and vegetables to your pasta dishes will make for a healthier meal.
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