False myths about pasta that you should stop believing

Pasta, a versatile food and symbol of Italian identity and subject of much criticism, has the superpower of changing body weight and shape due to the presence of the nutrient, carbohydrates.

"Carbohydrates are the main source of our body. They reach the cells quickly and sustainably, allowing us to perform our vital functions as well as possible", said dietitian Giulia Graziano from the non-profit organization "Animenta" on the occasion of World Pasta Day, which is celebrated every 25 October.

"In the absence of these, the body must get energy from other sources, fats and proteins. The consumption of pasta, as well as other cereals, remains necessary for our body", she added.

Is pasta a diet ally? Below are the false myths about this food.

Pasta makes you fat! False!

The carbohydrates present are used as fuel to carry out all bodily activities, including heart rate, blood circulation, breathing, mental and physical activity.

It is better to eat pasta before 18:00! False!

This idea is incorrect as the body continues to function even after this hour. He does not rest and needs energy 24 hours a day.

Eating pasta for dinner can be beneficial and help with a good night's sleep and a better mood.

In fact, eating pasta stimulates the production of serotonin, a key neurotransmitter for regulating mood and sleep patterns.

Pasta is a complicated food to digest! False!

Pasta is not a difficult food to digest, although cooking can affect digestion.

In fact, cooking "al dente" favors their digestion, unlike overcooked pasta, which not only risks losing its properties, but tends to become like glue in the digestive system, making the process more difficult.

If you cut out carbs, you'll lose weight! False!

Losing weight too quickly by following restrictive diets leads to deterioration of body composition.

Specifically, there is a loss of water and lean/muscle mass leading to a decrease in energy needs.

Our body adapts to reduced energy by slowing down its functions, including metabolic ones.

Gluten-free pasta leads to weight loss. False!

Gluten-free pasta is suitable for those with autoimmune diseases.

This mistaken belief is often born from a thin body.

This is actually not related to the consumption of gluten-free foods, but is caused by atrophy of the intestinal villi, which leads to reduced absorption of nutrients.

On the contrary, ingredients such as additives or fats are often added to gluten-free products, which guarantee greater structural stability of the products, when gluten is absent.

It happens very often that, because of these false myths, many people end up eliminating pasta from their diet, replacing it with foods or meals that include a portion of protein and abundant vegetables.

"This solution, in addition to not being sustainable in the long term, is not beneficial for our body," said the dietician.

Excluding carbohydrates from our diet means living in a constant energy debt, putting our body at risk in terms of possible episodes of overeating, loss of control over food and obsession with it.

Eliminating a food from your diet leads to an increase in your desire to consume it in a larger quantity when we decide to allow it into our bodies," added the dietitian.

Therefore, eliminating pasta may be an unprofitable solution.