Finally: Scientists say eating pasta makes you happier!

Pasta has always been a staple comfort dish, whether with vegetables, creamy sauces, or even a simple olive oil covered version (Aglioe e Olio); anyone can find a pasta dish that suits their taste. Now even more so! A study by Food Science & Nutrition revealed that in social settings, pasta simply adds to the joy of the event. The study followed a number of people after an online survey, to observe the impact of pasta on their happiness levels.

Although there is a lot of concern over how carb heavy they might be, this can be a misconception for the star dish. If the %25 of the plate is pasta, and the rest is filled with high fiber vegetables and protein sources, a balanced meal that is quite beneficial and healthy can be achieved as well, says a director from Rutgers Center for Metabolic Health and Weight Management.

How to make healthy pasta and be even happier?

The study, held by Food Science & Nutrition, followed the participants’ (who are all Italian for the record) happiness levels through 2 weeks after having pasta or not in their meals. The finding was a strong connection between having pasta and having less stress in relation to it! This means there is an impact from pasta, perhaps most consumers have already been feeling, that is somewhat confirmed. 

The question is, if you’d like to have pasta and lower your stress, what are some more healthy pasta options to keep in mind? The good thing about pasta is that it can be made with almost anything, but for the uttermost health benefits to get from the experience as well is to approach your pasta plate with moderation. The ingredients within the plate can include many vegetables (high in fiber) as pasta can carry these, accompanied by a favorite protein like meat, tofu, or chicken. As long as these are in good portions on the plate, any concerns for pasta being too high carb becomes pointless.