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DEL.ICIO.USEat pasta and be healthy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Seems the twirl of pasta on a fork, the smell of garlic bread and the taste appeal of marinara and Parmesan cheese make a lot of people really happy. So happy that Italian food is the most popular type of restaurant food, according to the National Restaurant Association.
Pasta took a punch during the low-carb craze, but Italian restaurant menus were quick to adapt and substitute vegetables in place of pasta and potatoes. And in response to nutrition recommendations to eat more “quality carbs,” you’ll find whole-wheat pastas appearing on some menus, too. But perhaps the most important lesson we learned during the quest to cut carbs was that those huge plates of pasta served at restaurants such as Maggiano’s and Carrabba’s are often more than we should have in a day, let alone in one sitting.
If you visit a family-style Italian restaurant, it’s best to take their theme to heart and share with those you’re with. If you’re dining alone, plan to take leftovers home.
Aside from watching your portions, it’s good to limit the cheese you eat. That can be hard because ricotta-stuffed pastas and chicken or veal smothered in melted mozzarella and Parmesan are enticing but add a lot of fat and calories. And guess what? That’s not the way they cook in the old country. Sure, you’ll find gorgeous Gorgonzola and peerless Parmesan in Parma, but it’s used sparingly to flavor a dish.
And the good news is that there’s a trend toward creating more authentic Italian cuisine, with more vegetables, less cheese and flavors from wine, extra virgin olive oil and herbs. Olive Garden, for example, operates a culinary institute in Italy, its Web site says, to “learn the secrets of great Italian cooking — like how to combine fresh ingredients —to create authentic Italian dishes.”
What’s your favorite pasta dish?
Comments
By KarenA
June 28, 2006 09:07 AM | Link to this
I don’t care for Olive Garden any more. I eat low carb whole wheat pasta, cook low fat and don’t salt anything at home. Olive Garden drowns the salad in oil, oversalts, and drenches everything in greasy cheese, and do they offer whole wheat breads and pasta? I don’t think so. I prefer Romano’s Macaroni Grill where I can get grilled pork chops and steamed veggies and crisp no dressing salads. I always eat the veggies and salad, skip the bread, and take half of the entree home as they serve enough meat for a family on one plate.