Eating pasta could actually help you lose weight (say the Italians)

IT’S one of the first things dieters give up when starting a new plan.

But experts found that pasta does not make you fat – and may even help you slim.

When eaten as part of a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetables and olive oil, pasta is linked with a slight reduction in Body Mass Index and waistline size.

The study by Italian scientists analysed the diets of more than 23,000 people.

They asked participants to record everything they ate in a diary and then quizzed them about their diets. The daily amount of pasta they consumed was standardised and compared to their BMI, waist and hip measurements. Researchers concluded there was no link between eating pasta and gaining weight – it was actually linked to being slimmer.

George Pounis, first author of the paper published in the journal Nutrition and Diabetes, said that ‘consumption of pasta, contrary to what many think, is not associated with an increase in body weight, rather the opposite.’

And Licia Iacoviello, of the Neuromed Institute in Pozzilli, Italy, which carried out the research, added: ‘In popular views pasta is often considered not adequate when you want to lose weight. And some people completely ban it from their meals. In light of this research, we can say that this is not a correct attitude.’

Researchers found those who ate pasta regularly were also more likely to follow the traditional Mediterranean diet, eating mainly tomatoes, onions, garlic, olive oil, seasoned cheese and rice. However, they said the beneficial effect of eating pasta existed regardless.

But Dr Aseem Malhotra, adviser to the National Obesity Forum, said those studied ate around 50g to 65g a day – much less than portions often eaten in the UK. He added: ‘Quantity is key.’