What Really Happens To Your Body When You Eat Pasta Every Day

Protein gets a lot of attention when it comes to building muscle, and rightfully so. After all, protein is the building block that your cells use when they are repairing muscle tissue damaged from an intense workout. But if your body is going to make those repairs, it needs energy — and carbohydrates are still the body’s preferred source of energy. That’s why carbs are an essential part of building muscle, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It’s also worth noting that after an intense workout, your body has probably depleted its reserves of carbohydrates, so you need to reload.

This is why you’re supposed to eat a post-workout meal with a ratio of 3:1 carbohydrates to protein — so for every gram of protein you have, you should be having 3 grams of carbohydrates (via Healthline). A serving of pasta has about 43.2 grams of carbohydrates with 8.1 grams of protein, so its ratio is a little bit off at 5:1. However, it gives you a good starting point. Balance out that ratio with a small serving of a high-protein, low-carbohydrate food such as lean poultry or low-fat cheese.

Your overall diet quality may improve

Pasta is great, but you can’t sustain yourself with just pasta by itself (we wish, though, right?). Here’s the thing: If you eat pasta regularly, there’s a good chance the rest of your diet will be pretty decent, too, at least according to some studies (via Share The Pasta).

Children and teenagers who eat pasta tend to have a higher-quality diet with more of the nutrients their bodies need, including not only fibre but also a variety of vitamins and minerals. Pasta eaters also tend to consume lower amounts of fat, particularly saturated fat. Part of the reason for this is that pasta can be topped with all kinds of healthy foods for a balanced meal. When people eat pasta, they can add vegetables, lean proteins, beans or lentils, and other nutritious choices.

It’s not just kids who are eating better thanks to pasta. These same benefits that young people reap from regular bowls of pasta are also enjoyed by adults (NDTV Food). If you’re somebody who has been holding off on pasta because you think of it as something that’s “bad” for you, consider how the nutritional value of your pasta-based meal is determined by how you’re topping it. So load up on the healthy stuff!

You may be in a better mood.

Ever notice how you just feel better after eating a bowl of pasta? You might think it’s just because the stuff is delicious, but there’s actually a scientific explanation behind it.

Pasta prompts your body to release a hormone called serotonin, registered dietitian Dana Angelo White explained in an article for the Food Network. You might have heard of serotonin, which is referred to as the happy hormone or the feel-good hormone. That’s because this chemical is what sends signals between your brain and your nervous system. It’s essential for mood regulation because, without enough serotonin, you tend to be a little on edge. But when your body has the right amount of serotonin, you’re more likely to feel calm and upbeat. You’ll find it’s easier to focus and even manage your emotions.

Adopting high-quality, nutritious carbohydrates like pasta into your diet will ensure that your body releases sufficient serotonin and is able to regulate your mood correctly, avoiding the emotional lows you might feel when you’re undernourished.