How To Eat Pasta and Not Get Fat

Most people who are trying to lose weight stay away from pasta. Pasta and meat sauce is staple in my house and I don’t know what I would do without it. My kids might starve too. I’ve heard time and time again from clients “I can’t eat pasta…I’m on a diet”.

Guess what? That’s a myth. You can eat pasta EVEN when you are trying to lose weight. Below are 3 + 1 types of pasta’s that are perfect for you if you are a pasta lover.

Buckwheat Soba Noodles

 Soba noodles are a type of Japanese noodles that are made from buckwheat. The benefit of consuming buckwheat soba noodles is that buckwheat has the second highest protein content after oats. Additionally, it is a complete protein and gluten free. Buckwheat has also been shown in research studies to help lower cholesterol, prevent gallstones and lower blood glucose levels. WARNING: Some soba noodles are not made with 100% buckwheat. Some have 80% buckwheat and 20% wheat so be sure to check the label.

Black Bean Spaghetti

Before you make a face…it’s delicious. Not grainy or gritty at all. It has 20g of protein and only 2 ingredients. Black beans and water. It has 187 calories per serving. Did I mention 20g of protein per serving. It’s hard to impossible to find in a regular grocery store and it’s much more expensive then regular pasta but totally worth the price tag. Here is a link so you can buy it off amazon. Yes, buy your pasta online. http://www.amazon.com/Exas-Spaghetti-Black-Bean-7-05-Ounce/dp/B004JXXVFU

Shirataki Noodles

It has only 4 grams of carbs. It takes like rice noodles you find in Japanese soups. This product is best in soup or stir-fried. I’ve actually never had it with tomato sauce so I can’t comment on how spaghetti like it is. It takes on the taste of whatever sauce you are cooking with. Rinse the noodles really, really well before you cook them.

+ 1 Pasta Like Bonus

This is the best option if you want to stay away from grain all together. Spaghetti squash is very easy to cook and is only 42 calories per cup. It contains a lot of water and 2 grams of fiber per cup. It’s filling and tastes great with meat sauce.

Additional Tips:

1. Remember to add a lean protein to your dish
2. Cruciferous vegetables like steamed broccoli, kale, cauliflower, brussel sprouts are a great addition
3. Make sure you have the proper portion size of pasta and use it as a side dish, not a main course