There are numerous ways to consume pasta, such as with pesto, carbonara, and bolognese, and each one provides distinct nutritional benefits based on the components in the sauce. At the same time, determining whether to eat it al dente or slightly overcooked can have a significant impact on both health and preparation results. However, the healthiest way to eat pasta is to cook it al dente, according to a doctor. This is evident from the explanation of Leonardo Rejón, a bariatric surgeon, who described on his Instagram account the benefits of eating spaghetti al dente, or slightly more cooked than usual. He accomplished this with a video in which he listed the qualities of both alternatives to his more than 35,000 followers.
A doctor recently revealed the healthiest way to eat pasta so you won’t gain extra pounds
The expert has mentioned only two pasta options, both of which involve cooking time. First and foremost, al dente spaghetti is cooked to the exact point. The other option is to leave it fully cooked. This means that it is withdrawn slightly later than expected, resulting in a significantly softer texture when tasted. In this regard, the expert has declared himself as the finest way to eat spaghetti, citing science to justify his choice. According to Rejón, if you leave the pasta al dente, you will not be able to absorb the majority of the starch in the pasta, which turns into fiber, whereas this change does not occur with a well-processed noodle.
In addition, al dente pasta takes longer to digest, making it a far healthier option. In this regard, the expert has identified four distinct reasons why it is preferable to leave the cooking at the appropriate stage. First and foremost, eating spaghetti al dente decreases the glycemic index, reducing the impact of carbohydrates on the body. Furthermore, by making the noodle harder and taking longer to digest, the stomach will take longer to feel hungry again, allowing it to retain a sense of satiety for a longer period. Similarly, the final cause is related to the chewing process. Because it is tougher, our mouths work harder before digesting it; thus, al dente pasta encourages you to chew more and better, according to the expert.
The step you should avoid to mess up your preparation
Pasta tricks that are said to have come directly from someone’s Nonna abound and range from rinsing noodles in the sink to adding olive oil to boiling water. It turns out that much of that traditional advice is more myth than fact. According to Filippo de Marchi, chef de cuisine at De Majo Restaurant & Terrace, there are a few typical blunders that ruin pasta, and we should all stop acting as though these antiquated practices are still relevant. One of the biggest sins, according to Chef Marchi, is adding expensive olive oil to this water in the mistaken belief that it will prevent pasta from sticking. To understand more about the things you should avoid to mess up your plate, we added here a short list of mistakes:
- Trying to see if pasta sticks when thrown against a wall: De Marchi suggests that the traditional method of checking pasta doneness is not accurate due to the potential texture changes and the risk of starchy noodle juice splattering on the wall or the spaghetti sliding down the wall and behind the stove. It is more accurate to scoop out a single strand and taste it. At that point, you’ll know if the texture is perfectly al dente.
- Adding olive oil to this water: Save the olive oil for the plate, even though it’s essential for most pasta dishes. According to de Marchi, some people believe that adding oil to boiling water will help prevent pasta from sticking, but in reality, the oil only floats on top of the water and does not adequately coat the pasta. Using a pot that is the appropriate size for the quantity of spaghetti being cooked, using a lot of water, and stirring the pasta often during the first few minutes of cooking are the best ways to keep it from sticking.
