Pasta has received a whole lot of flak for being a high-carb item, but there’s no denying the fact that it is delicious and filling. Replacing pasta made from refined flour with whole wheat and other whole grain varieties, is another step towards making it that much healthier. But did you know that altering its cooking time can up its nutritional value?
Eating pasta that is al dente, or slightly undercooked (which is how the Italians like it) means that the digestive enzymes in the gut take longer to break down the starch into sugars, releasing them more slowly into the bloodstream. This keeps you feeling full for longer, making it easier to control weight. Overcooking pasta increases its gylcemic index (GI), which taxes organs such as the pancreas, and could lead to diabetes and obesity in the long run.
To cook pasta al dente, drain it around 2-3 minutes before the cooking time mentioned on the packet. Eating too much pasta is not good though, so remember to practice portion control and consume no more than one cup per day. To add bulk, combine it with plenty of veggies and herbs.
Read More:
Healthy Twists To Your Favorite Pasta Recipes
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