Pasta is a food that many love. The noodles are made from wheat, water and eggs and formed into many shapes offering a variety of ways to enjoy. Pasta for me is a comfort food. I love to make fettuccini noodles with Alfredo sauce a couple of times a month. During the holidays, the family looks forward to my home-made lasagna.
Pasta is high in carbs. Unfortunately carbs are not good for you when you consume them in large amounts. Consuming an abundance of carbs can result in effects like a spike your blood-sugar level. But carbs are an important energy source for your body so enjoying in manageable portions is best.
The traditional way of making pasta with wheat is not the best choice for everyone, especially those who are sensitive to gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Gluten can trigger an immune response that can cause intestinal damage to with celiac disease. Digestive issues can also result with those who have a gluten-sensitivity.
Eating pasta and other foods made with whole grains can help to lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
What are the pasta alternatives?
Pastas made with brown rice, corn, white rice, quinoa and lentil are good alternatives.
Ancient Harvest makes gluten-free, quinoa, pasta available at your local supermarket or grocery store.
Feta Alfredo with Red Lentil & Quinoa Rotelle
Barilla has a gluten free line available in many of your favorite pasta choices.
BARILLA® GLUTEN FREE SPAGHETTI WITH GARLIC & RED PEPPER
Jovial is a Gluten-Free brand inspired by the “A child’s sensitivity”. The founders, Carla and Rudolfo discovered that their young daughter had stomach disturbances and other medical illnesses. As a result they shifted to creating high-quality gluten-free foods for their family.
Shells with Herbed Yogurt and Zucchini
Bionaturae Gluten Free Organic Pasta is made with organic rice flour, organic rice starch, organic potato starch and organic soy flour.
Tinkyada makes pasta with rice and is wheat and gluten free.
Artichoke and Sun-dried Tomatoes
Read the labels
It’s so important to read the food labels before purchasing any product, not just pasta. Knowing what is in the food you are buying and/or consuming helps you make better choices.
- Pay close attention to the nutrition facts
- Read the list of ingredients
- Check the serving size
- Review the amount of servings per package
- Check the calories per serving
- Look at the number calories from fat
- Take a look at the fat grams
- Check for the amount of cholesterol
- Note the sodium level
- Check for the types of fat
- Pay attention to the amount of sugar
- Look for whole grains
How do I cook gluten-free pasta?
It is important to read the cooking instructions usually located on the back or side of the package. Cooking times and results may differ. Due to the products not having gluten (the glue that holds traditional pasta together, helping you know that when it’s “al dente” result to the food is ready to serve), gluten-free pasta may have different results.
If you are currently cooking with gluten-free pasta I’d love for you to share your experience and recipe secrets in the comments below.
