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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think pasta and sauce isn't a proper meal?

169 replies

catlovingdoctor · 08/03/2015 15:19

Everyone always goes on about how it's sooo easy and filling and nice but it has no protein; it isn't filling, it's just stodge with a bit of flavouring...I mean I'd eat it if I was hungry but AIBU to think it isn't really a proper, filling meal?

OP posts:
Laquitar · 09/03/2015 10:21

'budget' lol !

Chumpster · 09/03/2015 10:22

Vegetables have protein in! Not as much as meat granted. Although you could put meat or fish in a pasta sauce.
I think if you make a nice home made veg sauce to go with pasta then it would be a lovely meal. Mediterranean diet is the most healthy, with less meat and more fish and veg.
Agree that a bought sauce and pasta is not the best meal in the world, but certainly fine sometimes.

merrymouse · 09/03/2015 10:31

A proper meal compared to what?

A findus crispy pancake? A french bread pizza? Bread and dripping? Gruel? A bowl of rice? A bowl of cereal? Fish and chips? Bread and cheese?

Original poster
catlovingdoctor · 09/03/2015 13:39

Thanks for your input everyone; I only wanted some opinions. All I was wondering was whether people agreed pasta & tomato sauce isn't very filling. That's all. Other people disagree and that's absolutely fine but there was no need for some of the cattiness. I agree if there's meat or a lot of good veg it's a bit more of a filling meal. No need for everyone to get so worked up; I'm sure we all have better things to do (I do anyway). And as a matter of fact, for the posters making remarks about science, I'm doing a science degree!! How about that, you silly old neurotic housewives?

OP posts:
GotToBeInItToWinIt · 09/03/2015 13:52

'Silly old neurotic housewives' Grin

OnlyLovers · 09/03/2015 13:54

Yep, that's me. Grin

mammuzzamia · 09/03/2015 14:51

I'm bemused by all the fuss, catloving Grin Always the most innocuous of subjects...

Trouble also with pasta and tomato sauce is that you can't eat too much anyway as it's so bland after a few forkfuls

DrankSangriaInThePark · 09/03/2015 15:03

Awww bless. Another AIBU classic.

OP, "AIBU"
498 replies "Yep"
OP, "No I'm not and you're all horrible"

The reheated lasagne was lovely btw. All crispy on top.

Titsalinabumsquash · 09/03/2015 15:06

Am I the only person that thought you meant those Batchelor's Pasta n'sauce dried meals that you add milk/water too? Blush

Shows how sophisticated my diet has been in the past Grin

Seriously though, I'm going to join in and say that I make huge vats of pasta sauce with veggies, herbs and seasoning and I even deal it into sterilised jars Shock
That what when it gets to 5pm and I literally cannot be bothered to cook, DP or one of the older DSs can whip up a healthyish meal for the family and I don't have have to feel guilty, they've never complained about not feeling satisfied or full and my boys have seemingly hollow legs at times!

ghostyslovesheep · 09/03/2015 15:10

I've got a masters - how's that for neurotic housewife

florascotia · 09/03/2015 15:38

OP - I think that many posters on Mumsnet are well-educated. Some actually teach students who are studying for degrees. Most have a fair bit of valuable experience. Some of them are men. I don't think the majority are housewives, or old.

As others have said, pasta contains protein. Sauces from tins/jars are not to my taste, but home-made sauces can be full of veg and meat/fish/pulses; together they provide protein and fibre and texture and taste. Cheese on top adds fat (not always a bad thing in moderation - contains calcium and fat-soluble vitamins).

If you are worrying about feeling full after pasta for only a short while, that's possibly to do with blood glucose levels. Suggest you read up on glycaemic index and glycaemic load of pasta and other foods. Eating fibrous veg-and-protein-rich sauce with pasta may slow down the rate at which it it affects blood sugar and blood insulin levels.

Greenrememberedhills · 09/03/2015 18:42

Silly old neurotic housewives!!

That's classic, OP. GrinGrinGrin

Waiting for the indignant hordes ...

Pipbin · 09/03/2015 19:57

How about that, you silly old neurotic housewives?

You do understand that you post here too so you are including yourself in that description. It's like people who complain about traffic without understanding that they are the traffic too.

Original poster
catlovingdoctor · 10/03/2015 03:37

Ghostly what's your Masters in? Do you think that makes you above everyone else? Get a life!

OP posts:
DrankSangriaInThePark · 10/03/2015 06:05

You are funny OP.

She probably doesn't think her Master's makes her above everyone else.

But your tone towards everyone on this thread, housewives and non, clearly show that you think you are....

You should try eating more carbs. They have a soothing effect on the psyche. Y'know, stuff like pasta.

Have a nice day now!

erinscupcake · 10/03/2015 06:34

Isn't pasta just a starter in Italy?

Just tomato sauce and pasta is not a 'proper' meal.

Bunbaker · 10/03/2015 07:05

I'm still puzzled why anyone wouldn't find a high carbohydrate meal filling.

Paddingtonthebear · 10/03/2015 07:13

I don't agree that pasta isnt a proper filling meal. Homemade sauces of course have lots of substance to them.

But I don't agree that Italians are the healthiest eaters. I saw a documentary that showed Italy and Greece have the most overweight children in Europe. Lots of snacking on junk food, particularly at school.

DrankSangriaInThePark · 10/03/2015 08:14

That's true to a certain extent Paddington...

As someone upthread said, and I often say it myself to the Italians surrounding me, the younger generations do eat a lot of ready made crap. Biscuits and cakes are advertised as "natural" because they contain that natural ingredient sugar etc etc. The majority of Italians will have a handful of biscuits or a bun of some kind for their breakfast.

At school they only have a 10 minute break in most schools, but yes, the snack they take in does tend to be more cake type stuff.

Thumbwitch · 10/03/2015 09:03

"And as a matter of fact, for the posters making remarks about science, I'm doing a science degree!!"

"A science degree" doesn't mean you have the first beginnings of understanding of food composition, clearly. You could be doing physics; that's a science but generally has absolutely zero in the way of plant or human biology, or nutrient composition, in the syllabus.

"Science degree" does not equal "knows what you're talking about". Logical fallacy right there.

OnlyLovers · 10/03/2015 10:06

I'm still puzzled why anyone wouldn't find a high carbohydrate meal filling.

I don't. I couldn't tell you why in a scientific way, but I definitely feel hungrier sooner after eating pasta (even brown/wholemeal/spelt pasta) than after, say, a meat pie or fish. In fact, even things like vegetable stews and curries fill me up more than pasta. Is it because it's refined carbohydrate whereas starchy veg like sweet potatoes and carrots are unrefined?

Thumbwitch · 10/03/2015 11:29

Could depend on the fat content of your pasta meal, Onlylovers - higher fat reduces the speed at which carbohydrates can be digested. Pasta can be digested pretty quickly if it's boiled to mushiness; if it's al dente then it takes a bit longer because it's quite condensed and so takes a little longer for the digestion process to take place.

OnlyLovers · 10/03/2015 11:37

I cook pasta al dente, definitely. I tend to have a puttanesca sauce, so protein and fat from the anchovies and olives as well as the carbs.

I think I just have a mad metabolism. I need to eat every two or three hours.

Thumbwitch · 10/03/2015 11:39

Well that's possible too - have you had your thyroid checked? My friend's dad has a hyperactive thyroid, he has to eat very regularly and eats large amounts without getting fat. He's also hyperactive and has the protruberant eyes that can go with hyperthyroidism.

OnlyLovers · 10/03/2015 11:41

I sound a lot like him, except I don't have protuberant eyes I hope Grin.

I think I've had a blood test for hyperthyroidism, not in relation to my weight/eating but because I went to the doctor worried about other aspects of my health. I've never been told that my thyroid is a problem. I do wonder sometimes, though.