6 TIPS TO MAKE PASTA A PART OF YOUR MEAL PLAN

Who says you have to write off pasta in order to be healthy?  In fact, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends we enjoy grains, with the goal of making half of all grains we eat in a day whole grains.  And the good news is that whole grain pastas makes this easier than ever to achieve!  Here are 6 tips to help you pick the perfect pasta for your meal plan for the week... 

6 TIPS TO MAKE PASTA A PART OF YOUR MEAL PLAN: 

1. Get the most bang for your buck.  Choosing whole grains gives you more nutrition (more vitamins, more minerals, and more fiber) than its refined counterparts.  (Read: Same price, more nutrition!)  To be sure you’re getting whole grain pastas, check the ingredients list for the term “whole grain” as the first ingredient.  You can also quickly look for the Whole Grain Stamp when grocery shopping! 
2. Stock up on sales.  Dried pasta is a budget-friendly pantry staple that can be used in a variety of delicious dishes.  Many store brands also carry whole grain pasta making it even more affordable for you and your family.
3. Add in extra nutrition.  Add color, texture, and nutrition to your meal by incorporating some veggies.  Try adding onions, peppers, spinach, squash and/or mushrooms to your dish even if the recipe doesn’t call for it.  (Pst!  And don't be afraid of frozen or seasonal veggies to help you save some dolla dolla bills.) 
4. Portion your pasta.  Remember that one serving of pasta is half a cup cooked (like half a baseball).  Depending on you and your health goals, you don’t have to limit yourself to only eating one serving, but be sure to be mindful of how much you are getting at each meal to achieve better balance with all the food groups.
5. Get saucy.  Nutritious noodles don’t have to be bland to be better for you.  Aim to stick with a non-creamy sauce, such as tomato and other lower-fat alternatives.
6. Fix it fast.  Did you know that you can freeze cooked pasta so it's basically ready-to-eat come meal time?  Find out how from Family Fresh Meals! 

Ready to start enjoying more pasta in your meal plan?  Use our FREE Printable Weekly Meal Planner to help make it happen! 

​lindsey