Health based pasta: redefining the concept of the next generation convenience food

Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2012;52(1):9-20. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2010.486909.

Abstract

Pasta, a delicious meal favorite and the signature dish of many of the world's most famous chefs and a bonding comfort meal for millions all over the world, it has been recognized as an identifying ingredient of traditional healthy Mediterranean and Latin American meals. Pasta has come a long way from the days when it was erroneously considered by consumers to be a "fattening food." Today it is perceived as one of the "healthy options." In fact, because pasta is so supremely versatile as a base to a meal, it is easily possible to serve it in ways to satisfy both our notions of "healthy eating" and our appetites for interesting and tasty food. Pasta, being so popular as a delicious family meal favorite and equally relished all over the world, it deserves a lot than any other food to serve as an ideal functional food. Here we analyze various health ingredients that have been incorporated in pasta as disease/disorder curing agents and/or potent nutritional supplements and their effects on cooking and quality parameters of pasta as well as their various health benefits and therapeutic attributes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amaranth Dye / chemistry
  • Appetite
  • Cooking
  • Dietary Fats / analysis
  • Dietary Fiber / analysis
  • Dietary Proteins / analysis
  • Fabaceae / chemistry
  • Fast Foods*
  • Food, Fortified*
  • Food, Organic*
  • Health Promotion
  • Milk Proteins / chemistry
  • Triticum
  • Whey Proteins

Substances

  • Dietary Fats
  • Dietary Fiber
  • Dietary Proteins
  • Milk Proteins
  • Whey Proteins
  • Amaranth Dye