Pasta

Besides calories and carbs, because I'm very active, what is wrong with it? It's very low in fat! And high in Protein and fiber and very filling.

Are you eating whole wheat pasta or the refined white pasta?  The only thing bad about refined white pasta is it basically has no nutritional value - all of the nutrients were stripped from the wheat during processing.  Whole wheat pasta is much better for you, and I see nothing wrong with it.  I eat it maybe once a week.

Well I'm Italian, I eat it alot, haha. But I'm very active, running and working out or sports every day. So I need the energy. 

Original Post by jordonferri13:

Besides calories and carbs, because I'm very active, what is wrong with it?

Nothing.

Not even the regular refined white pasta -  it's inaccurate to say that it has "no nutritional value."  However, it would be a better choice to stick with whole grain pasta or the Barilla plus stuff (more fiber and protein).

Carbs are not the enemy!

i agree that carbs are not the enemy, but still, isn't there some truth to the statement that pasta right before bed/at dinner could theoretically cause some fat retention because the carbs turn to fat? 

There's no truth in the popular myth that eating carbohydrates later in the day means they turn to fat.   A heavy meal right before bedtime isn't great for the digestion and might mean you don't sleep so well but that's about it.

Pasta's a great food - wholemeal is slightly more nutritious than white - as long as you serve it in the portion-sizes the italian's do and not pile it on the plate by the shovel load ;-)

GI-Jane that's good to know. My mom makes dinner every night with loads of pasta, and to stay away from excess calories/carbs I've been substituting it with shirataki noodles. I never thought that the carbs really did anything in terms of weight gain but I always wanted to be sure. I mean I love pasta, but I just can't find the strength to eat it when I eat dinner (which is not until 9:30 at night and I go to sleep within 2 hours). That's reassuring to know!

Nothing!  Just watch you serving size.  I like pasta very much and eat at least 3 days a week and I lost my goal of 7.5 kg (about 16.5 lbs) in the time I sent out for it as well as going down one trousers size.  Whole wheat pasta is better for you than regular white flour pasta, but even 1 cup of the regular pasta has 10% of your fibre for the day.  The whole carbs are bad for you is a very bad diet myth. Your body needs fuel, and it is unhealthy to limit carbs too much!

Reading this thread put me in the mood for lasagna.  Mmmmmmm...

The only time ive ever gained weight is from too many carbs and too much fat. <-- But that was mainly bad carbs and bad fat from Crisps, Chips & Salted Peanuts by the bucketload!

Pasta is a good source of healthy carbs just dont over do it :)