Love pasta? Here’s a simple tip to make it healthier
Did you know you can boost the nutritional value of your pasta by simply not cooking it as long?
According to a recent article, “how pasta is prepared could mean the difference between a health-optimized dinner and one that spikes your blood sugar.”
Cooking your pasta al dente seems to be the way to go. The literal translation of the Italian term al dente is “to your tooth.” So, when pasta is cooked al dente, it’s still somewhat firm when bitten – you feel it between your teeth.
When pasta is cooked al dente, it has a lower glycemic index (a measure of how quickly specific foods raise blood sugar) than overcooked noodles. A higher GI can potentially leave you hungry and tired after eating. Firmer al dente pasta also requires more chewing, which helps with digestion. This small detail can be helpful if you’re tracking your blood sugar.
The article outlines a few helpful steps to incorporate when cooking your pasta:
- Check the doneness of your pasta a couple of minutes before the recommended cooking time indicated on the package.
- Make sure the water in the pot is rapidly boiling (with big bubbles).
- Add at least a teaspoon of salt to the water, which helps speed up the boiling process.
- Add your pasta and stir.
- Don’t add oil to the water – it will prevent the sauce from properly sticking to your pasta.
- Turn the heat down to medium-high or medium to make sure the water doesn’t boil over.
- Don’t rinse your pasta after cooking because that washes away nutritional value. Plus, the surface starch helps the sauce stick to your pasta.
So, the next time you cook pasta for dinner, remember not to overdo it – try cooking it al dente. Salute!
