Pasta Consumption Improves Overall Quality of Diet

Pasta consumption in adults and children is linked to a better diet quality and better nutrient intakes than people who don’t consume pasta. The research results were published in Frontiers in Nutrition .

Study Details
The research was conducted by Nutritional Strategies, on behalf of the National Pasta Association.

The study examined the following association between pasta and non-pasta consumers in children (2-18 years) and adults (>19 years):

• Pasta consumption
• Shortfall nutrient intakes defined by the 2015 Dietary Guidelines (2015 DG)
• Diet quality

Pasta consumption was defined as all the dry domestic and imported pasta or noodle varieties made with only wheat and not egg.

Study Findings

A number of positive nutritional dietary patterns were found in people who eat pasta when compared with people who don’t eat pasta.

• Improved overall diet quality – measured by USDA’s Health Eating Index- 2010 scale
• Higher intake of key shortfall nutrients in adults and children
  • In adults – folate, iron, magnesium, dietary fiber
  • In children – folate, iron, magnesium, dietary fiber, vitamin E
• Reduced daily intakes of saturated fat and added sugars in adults, saturated fat and total fat in children
• No difference in total daily calories and sodium intake
• Adult males and children had no significant associations with body weight, waist circumference and body mass index
• Pasta eating was associated with lower body weight and waist circumference in adult women (19-50 years)

In summary, pasta is a convenient and nutritious meal for both children and adults. It is an easy to prepare meal that pleases even the pickiest of eaters.

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"Pasta can be an effective building block for good nutrition throughout the life cycle, as it serves as a perfect delivery system for fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, and legumes," says dietitian Diane Welland.

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Source-Medindia