Pasta may have originated from Italy but it has gone so famous that it reached different countries, even outside Europe. Many restaurants are offering it these days and you can find various authentic Italian joints serving some of the finest pastas. Pasta is slowly making its way into every kitchen! In fact, there’s what they call Ricciotti restaurant that is known to serve the best pasta in Singapore.

Though you love pasta that much, you might have heard that it can never be your friend when it comes to weight loss the reason why you’re trying to lessen your intake of it (we know difficult that could be). However, here’s one good news for every pasta lover out there! You no longer have to worry that it will hurt your diet. In fact, it can help you achieve your body goals without the need to hit the gym so frequently. You can turn pasta into a very nourishing meal. Here’s how you can experiment through adding a few ingredients to make it more nutritious:

Less fat

Like any other meal, it’s up to you if you want to make your pasta healthy or calorie-heavy; it will all depend on the ingredients that you are going to use. If you want the healthier version of it, pick red sauce over white. Add lots of veggies and little white meat; the fresher, the better (as always). Also keep the cheese to a minimum. Opt for whole wheat pasta and make sure you don’t over or undercook it.  You can have a salad on the side to complete your meal.

High fiber

Pasta can be a high-fiber dish through a few additions. Choose from a huge range of multigrain and whole wheat variety available in the market. Add chopped, mixed vegetables or their purees. You can also try your hand at stuffed pasta or cannelloni filling it with spinach and adding meat of your choice. Obviously, the more vegetables you add, the healthier it becomes.

Gluten-free

Would you believe when we say that you can still enjoy pasta even you’re on a gluten-free diet? There are various brands that make pasta out of brown rice, soya, and corn, instead of the durum pasta which isn’t free of gluten. And the good thing about it is that it tastes almost the same. These pastas are available on supermarkets and if you want to, there are also a number of restaurants serving gluten-free menus.

Ideal for diabetics

Aside from helping you with your diet, pasta can also be ideal for individuals suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure. Whole grain pasta cooked in olive oil with vegetables or lean meat is a very healthy meal by itself. It is full of antioxidant vitamins, heart healthy fats, and bodybuilding proteins, making it

Less cancer risk

Pasta is typically made with a rich tomato sauce spiced with herbs. This cooked and reduced tomato sauce is a rich source of an antioxidant called lycopene. This antioxidant prevents damage to body cells and the DNA protecting against prostate and breast cancer. It also delays the signs of aging. A sprint of olive oil will make lycopene highly absorbable.