Pasta gets a bad rap from some, but there are many benefits to eating pasta.

Here are a few of them.

If they knew all the benefits of pasta, they might not be so hard on it.

But as a registered dietitianand Italian-Americanpasta will always have a place in my diet.

Is Pasta Healthy?

It can be a part of a good diet and here’s why.

And while pasta may be a carbohydrate-rich food, it also delivers lots of important nutrients.

It’s definitely not empty calories.

Now, I know what you’re thinking.

Who eats just one serving of pasta?

Most of us do eat more, but not the equivalent of a never-ending bowl of pasta.

That’s not too shabby for a 2-cup serving.

Another thing to notethe Mediterranean Dietconsistently ranks as the top diet to follow for better health.

Pasta is a part of that diet.

Now, let’s say you have a special diet concernlikediabetes.

There are plenty of ways to make pasta fit into your diet.

If you’re gluten-free, you cancook with gluten-free pastawhich has come a long way.

As a bonus, I usually get at least one meal of leftovers.

There’s tomorrow’s lunch!

There are manypasta recipes that clock in at 30 minutes or less.

And while I may not make dishes that bring people to tears, pasta always turns out tasty.

Why You Should Eat the Foods You Love

First of all, life is short.

And if you restrict the foods you like, you’re more likely to binge on them later.

Maybe for you, that’s not pasta.

Maybe it’sriceor ice cream or gummy bears.

Sometimes what food we choose is about more than its nutritional value.

It can be about convenience.

It can help us celebrate with our family.

It might have to do with our budget.

And even though it’s been put down over and over again, pasta can be good for you.

So mix it up, try new recipes with itand above all, enjoy it.