Which Pasta Type Is Healthiest?

Are you a pasta-lover? There’s so many great things about pasta, like how versatile it is and how quickly it can be made into a meal. But I know that lots of you ladies have concerns about whether you should be eating pasta if you’re trying to lose weight, or if you should be eating specialty pasta types to be healthier. I do need to quickly say that what I am writing about today isn’t a debate about whether or not you should eat CARBS. These are very important for your body and I always encourage everyone to have the recommended serving amount daily — they help to give you energy!

Here are some answers to your pasta questions!

Is fresh pasta better for you than dried pasta? 

This question comes up quite a bit, and I think it’s because most of us think ‘fresh’ is better. Between these two kinds of pasta, there isn’t a clear winner, it’s about the way they are made. The word ‘fresh’ can be a little misleading. Fresh pasta doesn’t always mean fresh that day, it may have been may a few days prior and kept in the fridge. 

The main difference between these two pasta types is the egg — dried pasta is made using finely ground semolina flour and water, while fresh pasta uses eggs and flour. For nutritional value, there isn’t a huge difference between the two, although fresh pasta does have a slightly higher amount of salt. 

Fresh pasta cooks a lot faster, so keep an eye on it when you’re cooking. If you’re adding one of my homemade healthy pasta sauces, fresh pasta is so tasty with a healthy version of alfredo sauce! 

Is bean or vegetable pasta better for you? 

Many of the bean-based pasta types do have slightly more protein and fibre than wholemeal pasta, and are usually gluten-free. Bean-based pasta are also super filling, because they’re made with legumes or beans.

You might have seen vegetable-flavoured pasta when grocery shopping — they’re often made with veggies like spinach or tomato. While it sounds like it would be the healthiest choice, many vegetable pasta use such a small amount of veggies that it doesn’t make much of a nutritional difference. If you’re trying to add more vegetables to your plate, you could try making zucchini noodles or simply mix some vegetables into the sauce.

Are stuffed pasta varieties (like ravioli) unhealthy? 

Ravioli, and many other pasta varieties, offer your body a source of carbohydrates. If you’re watching your portion size and accounting for servings of carbohydrates during the day, there isn’t a problem having a bowl of pasta. Where you have to be mindful is the filling and the sauce you add to that bowl! Rich sauces using butter, generous helpings of cheese and a rich filling can cause the fat content of the dish to add up quickly. Try to opt for lighter fillings, such as vegetables, and top with fresh herbs and a little drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. 

I hope these answers help, ladies! I know it can seem really confusing when there are so many different varieties of pasta out there. As always, there are healthy ways of indulging that pasta craving, so try to pick wholemeal versions and include some sliced vegetables with your pasta for extra nutrients!

Love, Kayla xx