Is Pasta Healthy

Is pasta healthy?

1 cup (macaroni, enriched, firm cooked)

207 cal;
7 gm protein (incomplete);
.7 gm fat;
42 gm carbohydrate;
15 mg calcium;
91 mg phosphorus;
1.5 mg iron;
1.4 mg sodium;
110 mg potassium;
.25 mg B-1;
.14 mg B-2;
2 mg niacin;
28 mg magnesium.

Is pasta healthy? Pasta products such as macaroni, spaghetti, and noodles are high in calories and carbohydrates that are essentially in the form of starch, one of the “hidden” sources of sugar in many diets, and one of the reasons that these products are often forbidden to diabetics. They are a moderately good source of minerals needed for maintenance of health, and of course the enriched varieties have added iron for prevention of iron-deficiency anemia, B-1 for production of energy and health of nerves, B-2 for various enzyme reactions, and niacin for production of energy and maintenance of the health of nervous system and digestive tract. Since pastas are essentially made from flour, their nutritional value depends to a large extent upon the amount of nutrients that have been lost in the milling process. Pastas made from enriched white flour provide the nutrients noted above; those made from whole wheat flours may have a wider variety of nutrients available, while those made from gluten flour (often recommended for diabetics instead of the other products) have a high protein content and a very low amount of starch and often a good variety of other nutrients. When pastas are prepared in casseroles or main courses with meat, cheese, or other sources of complete protein, the nutritional value of their incomplete protein is considerably enhanced and so is the flavor.