Can Pasta be eaten on a weight-loss diet?

If you are on a weight loss diet, then you might be craving your favourite food like anything. It is said that ‘In order to achieve something, you need to sacrifice something’. Here, in order to lose weight and achieve a fitter body, you need to let go of your favourite foods for some time. But weight loss doesn’t mean that you only have to eat salads and bland foods. Dieting too can be made interesting by making food tweaks and picking the right foods. If Pasta is your all-time favourite, then read on to know whether you can eat it during your diet or not. (image credits-istock)

In order to make pasta more nutritious, always add vegetables to it. Ideally, the ratio of pasta to vegetables must be 1:2. You can use onion, tomato, capsicum, bell pepper, corn, mushroom, broccoli, carrot or any other vegetable of your choice. Vegetables can be sauteed or stir-fried separately in minimal oil and then mixed with the cooked pasta.

Instead of opting for a usually maida or sooji-based pasta, opt for a healthier one. Nowadays, a number of pasta varieties are available in the market, that you can easily incorporate into your weight loss diet. Pasta variants like Buckwheat Pasta, Whole Wheat Pasta, Chickpea Pasta, Rajma Pasta, Lentil Pasta and Makhana Pasta are ideal options.

When on a weight loss diet, one thing that you must keep in mind at all times is the portion size. The amount of food you are eating plays a major role in whether you will lose weight or not. If you are heavy meals throughout the day, you won’t be able to shed weight even after eating healthy. Take a small bowl of pasta and don’t go for a second serving. Eat just enough to satiate your cravings, instead of filling your stomach. Remember, always eat 80% of your hunger and keep your stomach light.

1. Boil 1 cup of whole wheat pasta in sufficient water.
2. Once cooked, drain all excess water.
3. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan.
4. Add minced garlic and onion. Saute for a minute.
5. Now add 2 cups of chopped vegetables like tomato, capsicum, zucchini, bell pepper, mushroom, corn etc.
6. Adjust salt as per taste and add black pepper powder.
7. Give a good toss and cook the veggies for 6-7 minutes.
8. Mix the pasta with the veggies
9. Cook for 2 more minutes and serve.
   

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