5 WaysTo Lose Weight With Whole Grain Pasta

5 Ways To Lose Weight With Whole Grain Pasta

We all know that pasta is great, but loaded with carbs and calories. Yes, you already know that to lose weight you can’t eat too many of your favorite carb-loaded foods… but not all carbohydrates are created equal.

In fact, you need certain types of carbohydrate-rich foods to give your body energy and if you are not getting enough carbs or calories you will become sluggish, irritable and unfocused, and can actually gain weight.

So how can you lose weight and still get a sufficient carbohydrate intake? Allow me to introduce your new friend: Whole-grain pasta.

What Are The Benefits of Whole Grain Pasta?

Whole-grain pasta is a complex carbohydrate that is rich in long-lasting energy, vitamins and minerals. It contains a high source of fiber that helps you feel fuller so you eat less, and helps with digestion.

Additionally, it’s been shown to decrease your cholesterol levels good, lowers your risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and shown to satiate your appetite and help with weight control.

5 Ways to Eat Whole Grain Pasta to Help You Lose Weight

When it comes to weight loss, you need to think long-term. Anyone can eat plain whole grain pasta twice a day for two days straight.

But can you do that every day of your life? Most of us cannot. You need to create a plan that allows you to stay consistently on your diet to keep the extra pounds off.

Here are my top 5 ways on how you should eat your whole grain pasta so you can stay lean all year!

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1. Bulk up on veggies

The more you eat the more full you feel. When we diet we want to avoid eating too much but want to stay full.

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The fiber of the pasta will help satiate your appetite, but so will the bulk of the vegetables which contribute minimal calories to your meal. Add a fist-size portion of grilled, steamed or lightly sautéed broccoli, mushrooms, zucchini to your pasta.

Try mixing up the colors with spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, legumes, zucchini, squash or others. The more variety you add, the more your taste buds will thank you. The meal will be more satisfying and fill you up, so you will be less likely to snack in between meals.

2. Use a lower calories sauce

Spice up your blank whole grain pasta with lightly sautéed grape tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and fresh basil. Try using tomato based sauces as they are lower in calories than butter or cream based sauces.

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If you have to use butter, try to substitute the butter with a light amount of olive oil. Go light on the sauce, or even put it on the side of your plate and dip your pasta in the sauce.

3. Use portion control to limit your caloric intake

Make a fist. Look at it. That is the size of pasta you will put on your plate.

Remember, the whole grain pasta fills you up much faster than refined grain pasta. Whole grain pasta will make you feel more satisfied and in turn, by eating a smaller portion, you keep the calories down.

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The best rule of thumb is to use half as much whole grain pasta as you would use refined-grain pasta.

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While you have fewer calories of carbohydrates, since you are eating complex carbohydrates you will now get longer activing energy that will also satiate your hunger and make you feel fuller thanks to the fiber content.

4. Add protein to the meal

Pop quiz. What is the most satiating nutrient for the human body?

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Fat? Carbohydrates? Protein?

If you selected protein you are correct! As I mentioned before, one of the strategies to maintain a healthy weight is to eat less but still feel satiated and full.

When you eat more protein your body releases hormones that make you feel full and more satisfied so you are less likely to overeat. The best sources of protein for weight loss are skinless chicken breasts, legumes, soy and seafood because they are rich in protein, and low in fat and calories.

more: The Skinny On Whole Wheat Pasta

Try to limit your red meat to 1-2 meals a week. Another great tip is to make meatballs out of ground turkey or chicken and add them to your pasta for a healthy Italian style meal.

5. Drinks lots of water

Pour yourself two cups of water. Look at your meal. Stop. Drink one entire glass of water.

Wow. That was filling right? Good. Now start eating your meal. Slowly.

more: Is Whole Wheat Pasta Healthier?

Take sips of water between every few bites you eat to pace the meal. By eating slowly you will release hormones that will tell you that you are full.

Try to eat your entire meal over 20 minutes to fully release these hormones, and your body will tell you that you are full. The more water you drink throughout the day and during your mealtime, the less likely you are to eat dessert or go back for a second helping.

So there you go! Now you have learned the benefits of whole grain pasta and 5 unique ways you can eat your whole grain pasta to stay lean. Remember, dieting isn’t easy, but it can still be delicious!

Bon appétit!

In summary…

The Best Ways To Lose Weight With Whole Grain Pasta

  1. Bulk up on veggies
  2. Use a lower calories sauce
  3. Use portion control to limit your caloric intake
  4. Add protein to the meal
  5. Drinks lots of water

ways to lose weight with whole grain pasta

Rajiv M Mallipudi, md is an internal medicine resident physician, personal trainer, athlete and author. During medical school he and his classmates co-founded and co-led medFIT, which is a health and wellness organization that provided personal training and nutrition counseling to the medical student body. As a competitive bodybuilder and powerlifter he has broken multiple state and national records. He has over a decade of personal training experience of clients at all levels and finds the profession so rewarding because of his ability to help others achieve their fitness goals. He serves as a contributing writer for Vixen Daily.

30 comments… add one
  • teresa April 3, 2017, 11:26 am

    this is an awesome alternative and you wouldn’t even feel any different because the taste is just the same

  • ysabel March 23, 2017, 9:13 pm

    sounds perfect! ill definitely try this pasta

  • minnie March 22, 2017, 4:02 pm

    i love this with lots of broccoli and a bit of salmon..yum!

  • marge March 20, 2017, 6:05 pm

    i love pasta, i can eat it everyday. and this? this just gave me more reason to love it, guilt free! :))

  • dianna March 15, 2017, 5:57 pm

    adding protein to this will be the best option to really lose weight

  • shalani March 13, 2017, 7:25 pm

    whole grain pasta is a staple in my pantry. i also feed my kid natural and organic food as much as possible

  • carmel March 9, 2017, 7:00 pm

    whole grain pasta is so yummy and healthy, i always stock up on this

  • lara March 8, 2017, 6:01 pm

    i would love this with salmon, thanks for the tip!

  • cassandra March 6, 2017, 2:32 pm

    im trying this with chicken breast and broccoli, gotta love it!

  • amalia March 6, 2017, 12:00 am

    my friend got me to try this once and i thought it’s nice. i think i’m really going to switch to whole grain pasta now

  • avery March 1, 2017, 4:17 pm

    i love whole grain pasta! ive been using this for years now and ditched the usual/regular pasta since

  • sarajane February 28, 2017, 2:14 pm

    whole grain pasta? what in the world?!

  • julia February 24, 2017, 10:35 pm

    i have tried whole grain pasta..definitely guilt free

  • charice February 22, 2017, 11:28 pm

    this is going to be really helpful in maintaining a healthier diet yet still being able to eat the food you love! :)

  • laurielyn February 21, 2017, 1:46 am

    I ran into this post last week and decided to get the pasta in my neighborhood store. I just want to let you know it has been awesome and i feel great about it.

  • rianne February 16, 2017, 2:32 pm

    definitely load up on veggies and some select fruits that are not too rich in sugar.

  • clarissa February 14, 2017, 7:19 pm

    try it with olive oil and you’re good to go! you can add just about anything.

  • marissa February 13, 2017, 7:54 pm

    wow, this sounds really cool! ill go try this and some other healthier options

  • angelica February 9, 2017, 7:20 pm

    i like this! im absolutely trying the whole grain pasta thing!

  • paulette February 7, 2017, 4:32 pm

    i will try out some recipes ill check on the net, this is way too exciting! (:

  • sarah February 6, 2017, 4:55 pm

    whole grain pasta? i should try this at once! :)

  • angela February 2, 2017, 1:53 pm

    bulk up on veggies! :) great idea!

  • janice January 31, 2017, 10:21 pm

    not a fan of whole grain pasta, but after reading this i might as well try it

  • drianna January 30, 2017, 9:18 pm

    wow great ideas! will definitely try those ways, thanks! :)

  • florence January 24, 2017, 1:27 pm

    pasta + proteins + loads of veggies = perfection! i love this combination and i will definitely try it.. this time with whole grain pasta.

  • maddona January 23, 2017, 3:00 pm

    wow! absolutely would love to try this whole grain pasta thing. i love pasta and if it’ll make me get healthier and more fit, why not?!

  • monica January 20, 2017, 11:53 pm

    protein is very essential. add chicken or salmon on your pasta and you’re good to go

  • jasmine January 19, 2017, 11:07 am

    i love pasta, but i never knew this can help me on my diet.

  • conrada January 18, 2017, 8:07 pm

    never had whole grain pasta before. i wonder what it would taste, or does it even have any taste at all.??

  • dana January 17, 2017, 10:39 pm

    wow, this is an awesome article and i can’t wait to try it!

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