Pasta's Not Fattening — Really

Pasta can be part of a healthy diet -- and help with weight loss, says a new study. Shin Harada/Getty Images

You know how people like to tell you that in order to lose weight you need to lay off the white stuff — like bread, sugar and pasta. Well, maybe pasta can get a pass out of that unholy trio. A new study, published in the journal Nutrition and Diabetes, says that pasta might actually help you lose weight.

Before we get into the details, we should point out that the study was funded by Barilla (a leading pasta-making company) and the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, both of whom just might have a vested interest in a positive outcome. But the research was conducted by the department of epidemiology at the Neuromed Institute in Pozzilli, Italy and involved 23,000 people recruited for two earlier studies by the same department.

By examining the eating habits and the body weight of the participants, the study authors found that eating pasta was not associated with weight gain. In fact, the results showed the opposite. "Our data show that enjoying pasta according to individuals' needs contributes to a healthy body mass index, lower waist circumference and better waist-hip ratio," says lead study author George Pounis in a press statement.

So how could this be? It's important to bear in mind that we're not talking about your typical Olive Garden pasta meal, where a serving of lasagna Classico has 640 calories. No, what the researchers found was that eating small amounts of pasta as part of a Mediterranean diet including olive oil, tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables and fish, was healthy. Licia Iacoviello, head of the Laboratory of Molecular and Nutritional Epidemiology at Neuromed Institute, told the Washington Post that the typical pasta serving should be about a cup for someone eating 2,000 calories a day, which means 200 calories.

And although the study did not mention this, eating whole-wheat pasta, rather than white pasta, would make the product even healthier. Whole-wheat pasta is high in fiber and fiber-rich foods are good for weight loss. They help you feel fuller for longer periods of time which means you'll consume less calories overall. A cup of whole wheat pasta has 23 percent of your daily fiber needs and 16 percent of your protein (white pasta only has 9 percent of your fiber needs).

Pasta consumption has declined in the U.S. and even more so in Italy — 23 percent between 2003 and 2013. Italians see it as fattening too. But maybe everyone has gotten the wrong idea.

Pasta Fattening FAQ

What foods make you gain weight?

Bread, sugar and pasta are common culprits when it comes to weight gain, but many other foods can cause you to gain a few extra pounds. In fact, even healthy foods like nuts and seeds can contribute to weight gain if not eaten in moderation.

Is pasta a high fat food?

Noodles themselves are not high in fat, they're high in carbohydrates. However, many people eat pasta with tons of sauce that may be quite high in fat. Alfredo is a good example of this.

Which type of pasta is best for weight loss?

Eating whole-wheat pasta, rather than white pasta, is better if you're trying not to derail your weight loss goals. Additionally, eat one serving (about one cup) and top it with a lean protein and some low-fat sauce, like a tomato sauce without added sugar.

Is rice or pasta healthier?

If we're talking about refined versions, white pasta and white rice are fairly similar. But brown rice is far healthier than both of those because it's packed with fiber, protein, and other good for you nutrients.

How many calories is a bowl of pasta?

It depends on how big your bowl is. Many people eat way more than a portion of pasta at a time â€” sometimes without even realizing it. One cup of plain pasta (no sauce or other additions) is likely to be around 200 calories.