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Original poster

What to eat instead of pasta

108 replies

Cloud44 · 11/04/2024 18:49

I don’t know if it’s becoming older but I seem to feel rubbish after eating pasta. It’s so easy though just to whip up some pasta, add some veg / sauce after a long day but I don’t want to eat it if it’s making me feel rubbish… what could I swap it for instead?

OP posts:
Franticbutterfly · 11/04/2024 19:42

I have bolognase with roasted veg. Don't miss the pasta.

Scampuss · 11/04/2024 19:41

Couscous and orzo are pasta!

Iamblossom · 11/04/2024 19:36

Dh makes a bolognese sauce or chilli and I have it with green veg...leeks, broccoli, sprouts, any kind of green veg that I steam in the microwave for 6 minutes. I also feel rubbish after pasta or rice and love having something crunchy with mince, or curry.

PotatoPudding · 11/04/2024 19:16

Cloud44 · 11/04/2024 19:02

Thank you everyone - it’s white pasta which I know is the worst! Did anyone else find certain food didn’t suit them as they got older? (I’m only early 40s!!)

I struggle with porridge oats now.

ErrolTheDragon · 11/04/2024 19:07

Cloud44 · 11/04/2024 19:02

Thank you everyone - it’s white pasta which I know is the worst! Did anyone else find certain food didn’t suit them as they got older? (I’m only early 40s!!)

Too much 'white carbs' (especially normal bread, rice and potatoes, we don't have white pasta) definitely doesn't do us any favours. DH is prediabetic and it's pretty much like eating sugar.

ringoffiire · 11/04/2024 19:07

Cloud44 · 11/04/2024 19:02

Thank you everyone - it’s white pasta which I know is the worst! Did anyone else find certain food didn’t suit them as they got older? (I’m only early 40s!!)

40's is quite a normal age for it really, with peri menopause around the corner if you're not there already. Don't sweat it, just adapt your diet to things that make you feel better.

HAF1119 · 11/04/2024 19:06

@ringoffiire good point - I only eat rice noodles so I didn't think about that! But yes... rice or wheat free noodles!

hottchocolatte · 11/04/2024 19:06

I'm around your age and find I can get a bit that way with milk when I never used to.

I do think most of our meals involve rice, potato, bread and pasta in that order.

We used to have courgetti and lot and I did like it. Haven't had it for ages but I did like it. You could try some of that with some wholemeal pasta.

I am now partial to a salad and I ever used to be. M&S do some good superfood mixes that I like

something like this

What to eat instead of pasta
ErrolTheDragon · 11/04/2024 19:05

When you say add veg/sauce - maybe part of the issue is that you're not getting the balance of carbs/fat/protein right?

Another option is beans. We've recently been doing a very easy 'traybake' - a can of butter beans or cannellini beans, a punnet of cherry toms coated in 1tbsp olive oil, with a couple of salmon fillets covered in 50g yogurt mixed with a tablespoon or so of harissa and baked for as long as the salmon needs. Could work with chicken or just loads of veg (peppers, aubergines etc).

Or tonight's dinner is mushroom and red bean ragu with some wholewheat penne plus ricotta and Parmesan but because the beans are protein and carb (as well as being a fibre-filled veg) we don't need much pasta.

ringoffiire · 11/04/2024 19:03

HAF1119 · 11/04/2024 19:00

In terms of adding sauce and veg rice/couscous etc aren't quite the same - have you tried free from pasta? It might just fix the issue without losing pasta! Otherwise noodles?

If the problem is wheat (which it probably is) then noodles aren't going to be any better. They are also made of wheat. She'd have to get gluten free/ rice noodles.

WeightoftheWorld · 11/04/2024 19:03

I've read through and there's some good suggestions but don't think anyone has yet mentioned gnocchi or bulgur wheat which are two other good options too.

Original poster
Cloud44 · 11/04/2024 19:02

Thank you everyone - it’s white pasta which I know is the worst! Did anyone else find certain food didn’t suit them as they got older? (I’m only early 40s!!)

OP posts:
JaceLancs · 11/04/2024 19:01

I’m gluten free and both Sainsbury’s and Aldi do lovely vegetable pasta - I usually mix a red, green and yellow for our meals
I also love rice noodles especially the bigger flat ones for things like pad Thai

ringoffiire · 11/04/2024 19:01

It's probably the wheat. Lots of people develop a bit of an intolerance as they get older.

Eat more rice, beans, pulses. Potatoes will probably be fine too, but I wouldn't go overboard with those. You could try things like pearl barley or quinoa. Or just try low carb meals with protein/ veg.

They might not seem as satisfying/ filling but it's up to you to experiment a bit if you want your body to feel better.

AdaColeman · 11/04/2024 19:01

Puy lentils, dahl, butterbeans or haricot beans?
Celeriac mash is low carb?

HAF1119 · 11/04/2024 19:00

In terms of adding sauce and veg rice/couscous etc aren't quite the same - have you tried free from pasta? It might just fix the issue without losing pasta! Otherwise noodles?

Sofabookhotchoc · 11/04/2024 18:59

The rummo gluten free one is the best. Whole family eat it and only 2 are GF!

Silverliver · 11/04/2024 18:59

Are you eating white or wholegrain pasta? I find wholegrain very tasty and obviously is better for you.

fieldsofbutterflies · 11/04/2024 18:59

Couscous.
Rice.

Hankunamatata · 11/04/2024 18:58

Try different types of pasta. Dc loves sainsburys ones they do green pea or Rd lentil

PotatoPudding · 11/04/2024 18:57

Rice

Username947531 · 11/04/2024 18:55

I have pea protein pasta. Really good substitute.

RunningAndSinging · 11/04/2024 18:55

Freekah

saradika · 11/04/2024 18:54

You could try rice noodles/pasta. Morrisons has fusilli that's rice/corn mix so is close to regular pasta.

watchuswreckthemic · 11/04/2024 18:54

Orzo or cous cous?