Make Healthier Choices During Pasta Month

By Brandi Swieter 

Pasta isn’t the healthiest option around. Make a few small changes, however, and the dish can be a much healthier option to enjoy. Consuming a hot bowl of pasta on a cold fall day is a great way to keep warm.

Make Homemade Noodles

Store-bought noodles are often filled with sodium and other less-than-beneficial ingredients. Creating a homemade version cuts out some of the unnecessary stuff and leaves only the best components. It only takes a few ingredients to make and will have a much healthier quality than other options. Flour, egg, salt, and olive oil are the most commonly used ingredients for homemade pasta.

Less Pasta, More Veggies

A pasta dish doesn’t have to be all noodle and little else. Use less pasta and more veggies for a dish loaded with nutrition. People will still get full off the meal but will get more vitamins and nutrients from the vegetables provided than if they were to consume more of the noodles instead. Broccoli, squash, peppers, and onion are some of the more typical vegetables found in pasta.

Choose Whole Wheat Options

White flour is called for in most pasta recipes, but that isn’t the only choice. Home cooks can use whole wheat flour instead to create a healthier dish. There are even whole wheat pasta options available at the store, allowing people to choose a lower calorie, less sodium prepackaged dinner option that will save time from having to make it themselves.

More Seasoning, Less Sauce

Many of the calories that come from pasta are due to the sauce it’s covered in. To lessen the calorie count and reduce the sodium intake, people can use smaller amounts of sauce from the beginning. A light sauce with more seasoning will do the trick. Lemon pepper, garlic, and oregano are common choices for pasta.

Consider Lean Meat Options

Many pastas require the use of beef. Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic example, as is lasagna. These are packed with fat and should not be consumed often. Instead, lean meat options should be the go-to choice. Turkey and chicken work well as substitutes. Turkey meatballs are healthier alternatives, for example, over the traditional kind made from beef.

National Pasta Month in October provides people with the opportunity to learn more about the delicious meal option. With so many varieties to choose from and ways to make the dishes healthier, everyone can find a pasta they enjoy.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Decatur, Ga.

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