Pasta can be part of a healthy daily diet, a dietitian says

Registered dietitian Stephanie Schiff says pasta can be included in an everyday diet when paired with protein, fiber and vegetables; she recommends whole-grain or legume-based pastas, al dente cooking, and a plate formula of one quarter protein, half vegetables and the rest pasta.

Pasta can be part of a healthy everyday diet, according to registered dietitian nutritionist Stephanie Schiff of Northwell Huntington Hospital. She says you can eat pasta every day, but cautions that refined pasta is a simple carbohydrate that turns to glucose quickly and can spike blood sugar if not balanced with protein and fiber. Schiff described three pasta dishes she favors for regular rotation and offered easy tweaks to make familiar recipes more balanced and satisfying. Her advice centers on adding protein and fiber, choosing higher-fiber pasta options, cooking to al dente, and watching sodium in broths. Key points: - Stephanie Schiff, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Northwell Huntington Hospital, says pasta can be part of a healthy diet and can be eaten daily. - Refined pasta is digested to glucose quickly; without adequate protein and fiber this can cause a rapid blood sugar spike followed by a crash, Schiff said. - She noted that frequent pasta consumption without balancing nutrients can contribute over time to weight gain, digestive problems, metabolic syndrome and higher chronic disease risk. - Practical recommendations include choosing whole-wheat or pasta made from chickpeas or lentils for extra fiber and protein, cooking pasta al dente, and assembling meals as one quarter protein, half vegetables and the rest pasta. - Schiff also mentioned adding beans or peas for protein and fiber, topping servings with low-fat ricotta or pairing with turkey meatballs for extra protein, and using low-sodium or no-salt-added broth when a recipe calls for it. Summary: Schiff frames pasta as a flexible component of everyday meals when paired with protein, fiber and vegetables, which can help slow carbohydrate absorption and increase fullness. Undetermined at this time.