Is brown rice pasta good for weight loss

It’s true that not all carbohydrates are created equal. Those that are whole grains, for example, tend to have more nutrients, including protein and fiber, than their more processed counterparts.

But carbohydrates, like pasta and rice, are important sources of nutrition regardless of whether they’re whole grains, says Natalie Rizzo, M.S., R.D. And although pasta has been the OG carbohydrate used for fueling endurance activities, like long rides, is it really superior to its smaller, longer-cooking friend, rice?

Let’s break them down.

Is brown rice pasta good for weight loss

Pasta Nutrition and Benefits

Whether you prefer spaghetti, penne, linguini, angel hair—we could go on—pasta is a staple for endurance athletes thanks to its carbohydrate content.

A one-cup serving of pasta contains roughly 220 calories and 43 grams of carbohydrates. The biggest difference between white pasta and whole-wheat pasta is its fiber content, Rizzo says, the latter being a little easier on the stomach during exercise. But both varieties contain roughly the same amount of protein: 8 grams per serving.

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Pasta is technically more processed than rice, which is a whole food, Rizzo says. When we think of processed foods, however, we think of packaged snacks and drinks that have been associated with negative health outcomes like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity, according to a 2020 review published in Nutrients.

“But the process that pasta goes through isn’t any different from bread, and pasta may actually be healthier,” Rizzo says. “Bread has added sugars and fillers. Pasta is just wheat and water, and it’s fortified with B vitamins.” (Many breads are also fortified with B vitamins.)

Pasta might be more convenient than rice to cook, if you’re not using an instant rice variety. And when you’re a busy athlete in training, time is money.

In recent years, food manufacturers have made pasta from a host of plants other than wheat, including lentils, chickpeas, and beans. These tend to contain higher levels of certain nutrients, including protein and fiber, but fewer amounts of carbohydrates.

Rice Nutrition and Benefits

For reasons unknown to Rizzo, people tend to reach for rice dishes when they want a “healthier” carbohydrate than pasta. She says she’s not sure where the stigma that rice is healthier came from.

“Rice is a staple in other cuisines that tend to be healthier,” she says, noting veggie-heavy rice dishes in certain Asian meals and the prevalence of rice and beans in dishes from Latin American countries.

A cup of rice contains about 250 calories and 53 grams of carbohydrates, putting it ahead of its pasta rival in calories and carbs.

Compared to pasta, rice—brown and white—contains far less protein (roughly 2 grams per serving compared to pasta’s 8 grams) and fiber (1 gram for brown rice, .5 gram for white compared to 2.5 grams in white pasta, 7 grams in whole-wheat).

Rice contains vitamins and minerals that pasta does not, including folic acid, B vitamins (unless the pasta is fortified), iron, and zinc, but Rizzo says the amounts are very small. For those following a gluten-free diet, rice is a good option.

The Bottom Line

Because these two starchy grains are so nutritionally similar, Rizzo says it doesn’t really matter which you choose to fuel your rides.

If you’re looking for a slight boost of protein during, say, a recovery period, pasta offers that. Or if you have a sensitive stomach, go with white rice before a workout, because it contains the lowest amount of fiber of your pasta and rice options.

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Odds are you've heard that eliminating pasta from your diet is a must for shedding pounds. Let's set the record straight: Noodles aren't your nemesis. Nope, you don't need to figure out how to stop eating pasta if your goal is weight loss. Instead, try these tips for how to lose weight eating pasta.

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Contrary to popular belief, carbs like pasta, bread, crackers, cereal and even desserts don't automatically increase body fat storage or cause weight gain, Lisa Moskovitz, RDN, founder and CEO of the NY Nutrition Group, tells LIVESTRONG.com.

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In fact, you need carbs like pasta for fuel.

"Carbs are a primary source of energy for our bodies — they act like gasoline for a car," Moskovitz says.

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In other words, a balanced bowl of pasta can help you power through the day (and a tough workout).

All this is to say, you can eat pasta on a weight-loss diet. Just steer clear of these eight common mistakes.

Mistake 1: Not Adding Veggies

Your plate of pasta shouldn't be void of vegetables. Veggies add bulk and satiating fiber to our meals that can help slow digestion, resulting in a steadier stream of energy, Moskovitz says.

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Further, slowing digestion can also lead to lower levels of insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar and can also influence appetite and fat accumulation, Moskovitz says.

If you're looking for more creative ways to integrate veggies into your pasta dish, you can even use them to make a sauce (more on that later).

Low-Calorie, Whole-Wheat Pasta Recipes

Grains like whole-wheat pasta can help you lose weight when you eat them as part of a balanced diet, per the Mayo Clinic. Here are some of the best pasta for weight loss recipes:

  • Veggie-Loaded Pasta
  • Whole Grain Pasta Carbonara
  • Vegan Alfredo Pasta

Mistake 2: Not Pairing It With Protein

If you're omitting meatballs from your meal to cut calories, you might be missing out.

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What we eat with carbs matters in terms of how our body digests, absorbs and metabolizes them, Moskovitz says. Adding a protein (which takes longer to digest) to your pasta may help keep you satiated and better balances macronutrients to support a healthy metabolism, she says.

Indeed, eating more protein is not only more filling, but it may also reduce fat mass and help you maintain lean muscle when you're trying to lose weight, per a November 2014 study in ​Nutrition & Metabolism​​.​

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If you're looking for inspiration, try these nutritious sources of protein with your noodles:

  • Lean meats like lean pork chops
  • Poultry like chicken or turkey
  • Fish

Not a meat lover? Lob in legumes like lentils or sprinkle your spaghetti with soy products like tofu or your favorite kind of cheese for a punch of protein.

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Mistake 3: Choosing a Sauce High in Sugar and Fat

It's not the noodles themselves but what sauce you slather on them that can make pasta problematic for your weight-loss efforts.

For example, creamy, dairy-based sauces tend to be high in fat and calories, Moskovitz says. And it's a surplus of calories that's more likely to cause weight gain (not just slurping down some spaghetti here and there), she adds.

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That's why Moskovitz suggests choosing a sauce with fewer than 10 grams of fat per serving. Same goes for sauces with excessive sugar: Aim for under 10 grams.

To slash the sugar and fat, look for a product that's tomato-based and seasoned with flavorful herbs like garlic and basil (bonus if it contains extra veggies), Moskovitz says. And not all pasta dishes need sauce — dress your dish with a dollop of nutritious oil like olive or flaxseed oil to amp up the flavors that are already present.

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Better yet, you can even make your own. Blend produce like tomatoes, spinach, squash or even avocado into a signature sauce of your own. This, of course, adds a variety of additional nutrients to your pasta dish.

Healthy Sauce for Whole-Wheat Pasta

Try these healthy pasta and sauce recipes lose weight:

  • Pasta with Creamy Avocado Sauce
  • Vegan Pesto
  • Lentil Pasta With Creamy Red Pepper Sauce and Spinach

Mistake 4: Overdoing Your Serving Size

"Enjoying a small bowl of pasta here and there has minimal to no impact on weight," Moskovitz says. However, frequently feasting on larger, restaurant-style portions of pasta can cause a calorie surplus and sabotage your goals.

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Here's why: The carbs you don't burn for fuel are stored as glycogen in your liver and muscle, and when those storage locations are at max capacity, your body will convert the excess glycogen into fat cells, Moskovitz says.

In short, if you continuously overload your pasta portions, you will gain weight over time.

"Spacing out your intake with sensible portions that appropriately match your caloric needs is the best way to keep pasta in your diet and still feel your healthiest," Moskovitz says.

Mistake 5: Choosing White Pasta

Is all pasta good for weight loss? Well, not necessarily.

Rethink your refined white pasta, which is bad for weight loss due to its lack of fiber and protein and because it can lead to blood sugar spikes. Instead, swap your noodles for a more nutrient-dense variety.

"While whole-wheat or bean-based pastas are not as traditional, they pack in a lot more filling fiber, especially black bean, chickpea and lentil versions," Moskovitz says. Other varieties like brown rice pasta are also good for weight loss thanks to their whole-grain content.

Remember, fiber slows down digestion and decreases the amount of total carbs absorbed by the body. So the more fiber your pasta contains, the more likely you will feel full, satisfied and energized for hours later, Moskovitz says.

This is why the best time to eat pasta for weight loss may be earlier in the day, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Eating carbs earlier on can help fuel your activity throughout the day and prevent a late-night blood sugar spike.

Per Harvard Health Publishing, other benefits of eating fiber-rich whole grains include:

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  • It may help lower cholesterol
  • It may help prevent heart issues
  • It may help lower your risk for type 2 diabetes

Healthy Grains for Weight Loss

Whole-wheat or whole-grain pasta is good for weight loss. Per the Mayo Clinic, other good whole grains for weight loss include:

  • Barley
  • Brown rice
  • Buckwheat
  • Bulgur
  • Millet
  • Oatmeal
  • Popcorn
  • Whole-wheat bread

Mistake 6: Only Making Pasta a Main Dish

Eating an entirely carb-based meal minus other macros is unbalanced and will inevitably lead to a carb crash and more cravings, which is not necessarily how to lose weight eating pasta.

"If you're just eating one food for dinner, chances are you're going to eat a lot more of that food to fill up," Moskovitz says. And we already know that a surplus portion of pasta can prevent you from shedding pounds.

But pasta doesn't have to be the main event — it can work as a stellar side dish too.

"Balancing your meal with a protein, veggie and fat can naturally keep portions in check — it's the difference between a four-cup bowl of pasta and a one-cup side serving," Moskovitz says.

Mistake 7: Skipping Water

You may forget to drink while you dig into a delicious bowl of pasta. But sipping a glass of water with your meal can help your body better detect when it's full, per Johns Hopkins University. Drinking water also allows you to take natural breaks in between bites, which gives you a moment to notice if you're satiated.

And of course, drinking water with all of your meals helps you stay hydrated, which can support weight loss. As an added bonus, drinking water can also help aid digestion and prevent constipation from a fiber-rich meal like whole-grain pasta with veggies, per the Mayo Clinic.

Mistake 8: Feeling Guilty About Eating Pasta

"No matter what, pasta is never enjoyable with a side of guilt," Moskovitz says. "If you end up eating more pasta than you planned, or it came under a thick, calorie-dense cream sauce, it's not the end of the world."

What's most important is that you don't beat yourself up or say, "screw it," and let the minor setback steer you off course completely when it comes to pasta for weight loss. "This all-or-nothing attitude can derail your weight-management efforts way more than a few pasta dinners," Moskovitz says.

Is brown pasta good for weight loss?

Still, while there is little difference in the effects of refined and whole-grain pastas on health, pasta that is made from whole grains may be a better choice if you're looking to lose weight. It is lower in calories and higher in satiety-boosting fiber than refined pasta.

Is brown rice pasta low carb?

Brown Rice Pasta Most brown-rice pastas range from 200 to 210 calories, with 43 to 44 grams carbs per 2-ounce serving.

Is brown rice healthier than pasta?

A cup of rice contains about 250 calories and 53 grams of carbohydrates, putting it ahead of its pasta rival in calories and carbs. Compared to pasta, rice—brown and white—contains far less protein (roughly 2 grams per serving compared to pasta's 8 grams) and fiber (1 gram for brown rice, .

Which pasta is best for weight loss?

Whole-Wheat Pasta. Whole-wheat pasta is an easy-to-find nutritious noodle that will bump up the nutrition of your pasta dish. ... .
Chickpea Pasta. ... .
Veggie Noodles. ... .
Red Lentil Pasta. ... .
Soba Noodles. ... .
White Pasta..