How can an old Italian learn to live without pasta?

jam0525
jam0525 Posts: 1,681 Member
edited September 2024 in Introduce Yourself
I'm sort of not new and I sort of know where all my wasted calories are. I feel great and start to loose weight when I cut out pasta and starches, but......................it's like they are just so much a part of who I am. I just can't seem to go that long without macaroni and meatballs. The healthy pasta just doesn't cut it.

Just thought I'd jump in and say hello.

Replies

  • jam0525
    jam0525 Posts: 1,681 Member
    I'm sort of not new and I sort of know where all my wasted calories are. I feel great and start to loose weight when I cut out pasta and starches, but......................it's like they are just so much a part of who I am. I just can't seem to go that long without macaroni and meatballs. The healthy pasta just doesn't cut it.

    Just thought I'd jump in and say hello.
  • MyaPapaya75
    MyaPapaya75 Posts: 3,143 Member
    Just limit and eat correct portions you really dont have to be without it
  • swignal
    swignal Posts: 441
    well I know how good the pasta is but if you limit your self to a serving size you should be okay eating it once in a while you just need to make sure you do your cardio and burn of some of those calories!!! anyway good luck in you weight lose journey...

    Sheila
  • mrsyac2
    mrsyac2 Posts: 2,784 Member
    Her is your answer are you ready


    Portion control and moderation- thats the key to your answer--- I am married to an italian and we have pasta atleast once a week
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
    TRY the whole wheat pasta with an open mind. I found the extra thin spaghetti is easier than rigatoni.......

    I concentrate on my sauces more. I started adding different things. Mushrooms, zucchini, tried whole tomatoes....etc. I throw in a can of chopped tomatoes at the last minute.

    Lasagna-I use LF riccotta and light mozzerella. I used Smart Balance noodles and layer it with eggplant and veggies to lighten the load.

    I made a fettucine alfredo recipe from HG that was fanTAStic........

    I think if you try to eliminate something you truly love, you will just blow it!

    You will be shocked at 1 cup of pasta-it is a LOT!
  • wonderwouldyou
    wonderwouldyou Posts: 155 Member
    Check out Ronzoni Smart Taste!!!

    From one pasta man to another, it's good stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :drinker:
  • kerrilucko
    kerrilucko Posts: 3,852 Member
    whole wheat pasta in moderation. I LOVE whole wheat pasta, I think it's much more flavourful than the regular white pasta. I REEEEEEAAAALLLLY want a pasta maker so I can try making my own whole wheat pasta :laugh: case in point: you don't have to give it up, you just have to watch your portions and not have it EVERYDAY.
  • Wolfena
    Wolfena Posts: 1,570 Member
    Check out Ronzoni Smart Taste!!!

    From one pasta man to another, it's good stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :drinker:

    I agree... the Smart Taste is awesome!

    I didn't mind the wheat pastas but my family didn't care for them.... with the Smart Taste, they can't tell the difference from regular pasta
    :smile:
  • codykitty
    codykitty Posts: 729
    There are some great mediterranean cookbooks which advocate carbs in moderation and high quantities of fish and vegetables, therefore you don't need to sacrifice anything completely, I like "The New Mediterranean Diet Cookbook" but there are several, check them out on Amazon!
  • keiko
    keiko Posts: 2,919 Member
    We usually have macaroni & meatballs once a week. Yes we eat regular white macaroni. The key was to get use to the correct serving size. With a salad the serving size is enough. But I did have to train myself for it to be enough. I grew up eating bowls and having just one more meatball!

    Last week it was meatball sandwiches one day and macaroni & meatballs another. I love Italian meatballs!
  • jam0525
    jam0525 Posts: 1,681 Member
    Thanks for the support! Your right. I just need to count it accurately.
  • jam0525
    jam0525 Posts: 1,681 Member
    My Mom's family won several awards during WWII for the food they cooked to raise money for the war effort. One of the specialties was meatballs. I like your idea on having it weekly. I had cut down when we had it and that just didn't work. Thanks.
  • Mireille
    Mireille Posts: 5,134 Member
    I'd would like to add that I prefer the whole grain pasta over the whole wheat. It has a different texture than the whole wheat....I personally think it's better. :flowerforyou:
  • MOMOFTWO29
    MOMOFTWO29 Posts: 8,276 Member
    Hello and welcome to MFP. I just know you will love this site if you don't already, I love it here. It is so motivational, supportive, helpful, and everyone here is so nice, and friendly. I just wanted to tell you good luck on your weight loss journey. You can do this.:flowerforyou: :smile: You don't have to give it up, like everyone has said here, portion control and I love the wheat pasta too.
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
    Thanks a lot! Now I HAVE To have sketti and meataballsa
  • johnblake
    johnblake Posts: 661
    I'm sort of not new and I sort of know where all my wasted calories are. I feel great and start to loose weight when I cut out pasta and starches, but......................it's like they are just so much a part of who I am. I just can't seem to go that long without macaroni and meatballs. The healthy pasta just doesn't cut it.

    Just thought I'd jump in and say hello.

    Not buying it.

    If your a real Italian you would make your own pasta, and i don't mean with a machine, I mean by hand you'll burn all your calories before you even start eat.

    how you like them apples
  • wonderwouldyou
    wonderwouldyou Posts: 155 Member

    Not buying it.

    If your a real Italian you would make your own pasta, and i don't mean with a machine, I mean by hand you'll burn all your calories before you even start eat.

    how you like them apples

    Aaayy Fugetabowtii!

    LOL :laugh:
  • happygirl518
    happygirl518 Posts: 270 Member
    Moderation is key....I don't deprive myself of anything, I use portion control and if you want pasta, eat it. I personally like the whole wheat pasta and find it is not only better for you but the flavor is so much better. If its carbs that give you trouble, stay to the lower end of the range, but plan your pasta into your week, it will feel like a (sweet reward).
    Good Luck to you,
    Debbie
    "believe you can and you're half way there"
  • jam0525
    jam0525 Posts: 1,681 Member
    I have made pasta with a rolling pin and my fingers, with an old hand crank machine and with an electric one. It never made any of us loose weight.

    We use to make pasta 2-3 times a year around my grandma's table (which I still have in my family room) for the whole extended family. We'd dry it and divide it up amoung all the siblings.

    Just thinking about brings back arthritic memories in my fingers.

    So buy it! lol
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