Is Al Dente Pasta Healthier?
Quick Tip: Al Dente Pasta is Easier on Your Blood Sugar
Quick Tip: Al Dente Pasta is Easier on Your Blood SugarCarbohydrate foods like pasta can cause a quick rise in blood sugar. But that doesn’t mean you have to swear off spaghetti. There are three ways you can minimize pasta’s effect on blood sugar. First, watch your portion sizes. A serving the size of a baseball will wreak less havoc than a serving the size of a basketball. Second, adding a little fat and/or protein to the meal will slow down the digestion of the carbs. And, finally, cook your pasta just until tender. Overcooked pasta sends blood sugar higher than pasta cooked al dente.
(For more on managing blood sugar, see my episode How Often Should You Eat?)
For more up-to-date information on healthy eating, check out my new guidebook, Nutrition Diva’s Secrets for a Healthy Diet. Read a free chapter here.
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About the Author
Monica Reinagel is a board-certified licensed nutritionist, author, and the creator of one of iTunes’ most highly ranked health and fitness podcasts. Her advice is regularly featured on the TODAY show, Dr. Oz, NPR, and in the nation’s leading newspapers, magazines, and websites. Do you have a nutrition question? Call the Nutrition Diva listener line at 443-961-6206. Your question could be featured on the show.
