Tag: Pasta

  • 7 Healthier Pasta Tips for People With Type 2 Diabetes

    7 Healthier Pasta Tips for People With Type 2 Diabetes

    Pasta is synonymous with comfort, which can be a dirty word when it comes to nutrition. And if you’re living with type 2 diabetes, it’s possible you’ve heard it’s a food you need to avoid.

    But if you love pasta and are willing to make a handful of tweaks to the typical bowl, saying goodbye to this feel-good fare may not be necessary.

    Though it’s higher in carbohydrates than some other foods, pasta can fit into a healthy meal plan for someone with diabetes, says Toby Smithson, RDN, a certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES) in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and author of Diabetes Meal Planning and Nutrition for Dummies.

    Indeed, people with type 2 diabetes who ate a 50-gram (g) serving of pasta experienced lower spikes in blood sugar than they did after eating equal portions of white bread, potato, or rice, according to past clinical studies referenced in a study published in the April 2021 issue of BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health. You simply need to watch your portion sizes and prepare this dish mindfully, such as by limiting certain toppings and mix-ins (like cheese, meat, and sauce). Taking smart steps such as these can help keep your blood sugar, weight, and overall health and nutrition on track.