5 Health Benefits of Eating Pasta

The term 'Mediterranean diet' has long been synonymous with balance and good health and it’s no coincidence that the Italian lifestyle appears wonderfully healthy. Italians take food very seriously, ensuring they set aside time to eat something uplifting and delicious that provides all the right nutrients to boost performance and fuel both mind and body. Everything feels better when you’ve eaten a nutritious, balanced meal that fills you up and this also helps to keep your metabolism functioning at its best level. Our pasta dishes have been thoughtfully portioned to deliver just the right amount of energy, so you’ll feel satisfyingly, but not overly full.

5 Health Benefits of Fresh Pasta

1. Fuels Productivity

Whilst pasta is often misconstrued as being 'unhealthy' because of its high carbohydrate content, it actually has a low glycaemic index, which basically means that it releases energy to the brain steadily over several hours. This helps to fuel consistent productivity, rather than offering a momentary rush followed by a dip or crash. So eating a bowl of our delicious pasta as a lunchtime meal is a good way to avoid the lethargy often experienced in the afternoons.

2. '5 A Day'

We all know how important it is to eat a minimum of 5 portions of fruit and vegetables everyday, though sometimes this can feel hard to achieve in reality. However, many of our pasta dishes are served with tomato-rich ragùs and veg-packed fillings which count towards your 5 A Day. Try one of the following dishes from our weekly menu to smash your daily fruit and veg count:

• Fettuccine with Spicy 'Nduja Sausage, Lemon and Mascarpone
• Martina's Sardinian Lamb Ragù with Fresh Conchiglie
• Tuscany's Famous Wild Boar Ragù with Fresh Pappardelle
• Rigatoni with a Datterini Tomato & Mascarpone Sauce
• Spaghetti alla Chitarra with a Fresh Datterini Tomato Sauce
• Mafalde with Beef Shin & Barolo Wine Ragù
• Buckwheat Tagliatelle with Beef Ragù alla Bolognese

3. Source of Omega-3  

Omega-3 is one of the most common supplements taken across the world and the health benefits are almost endless. From improving cardiovascular health and reducing the risk of high blood pressure to strengthening your eyes and boosting your brain, there's a lot to be said for these fatty acids, commonly found in fish oil. Our fish-filled pastas and special seafood dishes therefore bring a lot to the table in terms of vital nutrition. Check out these dishes to add some omega-3 to your diet:

• Crab & Chilli Ravioli with Lemon Butter and Lemon Pangrattato
• Lobster, Crab & Prawn Squid Ink Ravioli
• Sea Bass, Lemon & Mascarpone Ravioloni with Lemon Butter
• Salt Cod & Squid Ink Ravioloni with Parsley Butter & Capers
• Lobster, Crab & Prawn Tortelloni with Tarragon Butter and Fresh Samphire

4.  High in Protein

Many of our pasta dishes are high in protein which is essential for muscle growth and development. Protein assists the body's metabolism and cellular processes, and also defends against disease through optimal immune function. Try some of our high-protein dishes on this week's menu:

• "Carbonara of Dreams" with Fresh Bucatini & Crispy Pancetta
• Lemon & Mozzarella Ravioli with a Sage Butter Sauce
• Tuscany's Famous Wild Boar Ragù with Fresh Pappardelle
• Black Truffle Mac & Cheese
• Mafalde with Beef Shin & Barolo Wine Ragù
• Buckwheat Tagliatelle with Beef Ragù alla Bolognese

5. Low Calorie Options

Pasta in the UK has earned a reputation for being dense in calories, which isn't always what you fancy. However, many of our dishes have fewer than 600 calories per serving, perfect for a light summer meal. Check out our low-calorie options on this week's menu:

• Crab & Chilli Ravioli with Lemon Butter and Lemon Pangrattato
• Spaghetti alla Chitarra with a Fresh Datterini Tomato Sauce
• Sea Bass, Lemon & Mascarpone Ravioloni with Lemon Butter & Lemon Pangrattato
• Pea & Shallot Ravioli with Belazu Garlic Oil and Lemon Pangrattato

At Pasta Evangelists, we bring a taste of Italy to your kitchen. Prepared using the freshest ingredients, our gourmet pasta dishes are perfect for those looking to enjoy restaurant-quality meals, delivered to your door, and ready in under five minutes. Order from our weekly menu today, and we’ll offer you 25% off your first delivery - simply enter the code BLOG25 at checkout.