Thin spaghetti is known as capellini. Spaghettoni is the thicker version of spaghetti. Usually, pasta is white in color because of the use of refined flour. It is mostly available in lengths of 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 inches). Fresh spaghetti is made by rolling out pasta sheets and cutting it into strips with a rolling pin and a knife. The use of a pasta machine simplifies the process and makes it uniform. Fresh spaghetti can usually be cooked within a few hours of being manufactured. Dried spaghetti is made using auger extruders. Newly-made spaghetti is dried with proper moisture control to prevent the strands from sticking while ensuring it’s not too dry and brittle.
History Of Spaghetti
The first reference of pasta in history is from the 5th century with a reference to dried portable pasta that needed to be cooked by boiling. It was then made into long thin forms in the west around the 12th century. When spaghetti factories got established in the 19th century, spaghetti became more renowned all over Italy. This enabled mass production of spaghetti for people in Italy and then it further reached restaurants in the United States. Oregano or basil were not used in traditional spaghetti preparations for decades after. Now it is widely found in various kinds of culinary preparations all around the world.
Spaghetti Nutrition Facts
According to the USDA, 100 g of uncooked spaghetti by the brand SE GROCERS, provides us with the below nutrients (1). Spaghetti is a rich dietary source of carbohydrates and fiber along with other important vitamins and minerals. It has no saturated fats or sodium, to begin with. It has a significant amount of protein, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium as well. When made with whole wheat, its nutrient value gets further enriched. Going further, let’s explore how these nutrients translate into the potential health benefits of spaghetti.
Potential Health Benefits Of Spaghetti
Pasta and spaghetti have been key ingredients in the Mediterranean diet. Now widely available all over the world, the benefits of spaghetti are more accessible to people everywhere. Let’s have a detailed look at a few of the key benefits of spaghetti below.
Rich In Energy-boosting Carbohydrates
Spaghetti is made primarily with flour which is rich in carbohydrates, the primary source of energy (2). A spaghetti meal can thus give you that spurt of energy. Though some fad weight-loss diets advocate only the use of protein and fats, a no-carb diet might actually deprive you of essential nutrients (3). You can opt for whole wheat spaghetti to make it more nutritious with unrefined carbs and add in some lean meat protein or steamed vegetables to make it a wholesome meal.
Rich In Dietary Fiber
Whole wheat spaghetti has more fiber than any other regular pasta. Fiber helps keep your blood sugar levels in check and your digestive system healthy (4). Spaghetti can be a quick and easy option to meet your daily carbohydrate requirements. In case you are following a gluten-free diet, you can opt for spaghetti made of chickpeas or zucchini as well.
Might Be Good For Your Heart
Consumption of Mediterranean food like spaghetti might help maintain your cardiovascular health as well (5). That’s primarily because it doesn’t have any cholesterol or saturated fats and is low in sodium. An increase in serum cholesterol results in the formation of plaques inside the blood vessels leading to blockage (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease-ASCD) and stroke (6). A study on postmenopausal women who replaced starchy food items with a pasta meal intake reported a possible reduction in the potential risks of stroke and ASCD (7). If you can avoid high amounts of salt, cheese, or butter in its preparations, spaghetti can be a good meal option for you rather than any other high-cholesterol fat-ridden foods. Whole wheat variety of spaghetti would be an even better substitute than the regular flour pasta.
Provides Protein And Micronutrients
One serving of spaghetti can give you 8g of protein and that’s about 16% of the Regular Diet Allowance (RDA) for adults (8). Along with that, it provides you with about 10% RDA of iron, 5% RDA of vitamin B-6, and 6% RDA of magnesium (1). Proteins and micronutrients play a vital role in building muscles, maintaining bone health, blood pressure regulation, and prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease (9).
Allergies And Interaction Of Spaghetti
Spaghetti with flour as its main ingredient is not suitable for people with gluten sensitivities. Gluten is a kind of protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. While it is well tolerated by most people, it might cause problems for those who are allergic to it (10). Also, people with celiac disease should avoid having regular pasta as gluten could trigger their immune response, damaging the cells of the small intestine (11). In such cases, you can opt for gluten-free varieties of spaghetti. Spaghetti has a glorious history and is loved by almost everyone. If you’re new to it or you want to up your spaghetti game, here are a few tips and recipes that’ll come in handy.
Spaghetti Recipes And Preparation Tips
Spaghetti is a versatile food that can be enjoyed with a variety of sauces and toppings. You can make a simple low-fat meal by tossing it around in garlic and olive oil or make it a more elaborate affair by adding fresh garden vegetables, tomato sauce, and cheese. You can add in shrimps, chicken, or any lean meat to give you that extra boost of protein as well. Opting for whole-grain spaghetti along with the added meat and vegetables would make it a nutrient-rich satiating meal. Here are a few preparation tips to make your spaghetti meal more interesting:
Follow the spaghetti packet instructions to cook. Usually, you should boil the spaghetti in a big colander till it is cooked “al dente” i.e. cooked through, but with a slight bite.
You can try and make your own sauce with the flavors of ingredients you like. Alternatively, you can look for brands that make low-sodium pasta sauces.
You can add mushrooms, lean meat, or extra veggies to add flavor and bulk to your meal without adding to the calories. You can also make a simple and plain spaghetti with olive oil and garlic— “Spaghetti Aglio e Olio” with a sprinkle of seaweed flakes to make it even more nutritious.
If you are trying whole-wheat spaghetti for the first time, It might seem to have a slightly stronger flavor than regular pasta. You might not like it right away and may need some time to develop a taste for this healthier version.
Below we share a few popular recipes of spaghetti for you to make and relish anytime!
1. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
(Yields 4 servings) Ingredients
Spaghetti (uncooked) – 1 pound Garlic (thinly sliced) – 6 cloves Olive oil -½ cup Red pepper flakes -¼ teaspoon Salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste Italian parsley (freshly chopped) – ¼ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (finely grated) – 1 cup
Instructions
2. Spaghetti Carbonara
(Yields 4 servings) Ingredients
Spaghetti – 8 ounces Eggs (large) -2 Parmesan cheese (freshly grated) -½ cup Bacon (diced) – 4 slices Garlic (minced) – 4 cloves Black pepper (freshly ground) – as per taste Kosher salt – as per taste Parsley leaves (freshly chopped) – 2 tablespoons
Instructions Is eating spaghetti every day good? If made from whole grain flour and not refined flour, consuming spaghetti can help support good health. However, moderation is advised. Can spaghetti make you gain weight? Controlling portion sizes and reducing variants with processed ingredients can help manage weight (14). But excess intake of spaghetti, especially the refined variants, can cause weight gain.
