Is avoiding carbohydrates keeping you away from your favorite pasta dishes? Incorporate them into your weight-loss program the right way with these tips. <br /> <br />Step 1: Choose healthier pasta <br />Choose whole-grain pasta, gluten-free pasta, or quinoa. Unlike refined pasta, these have protein, antioxidants, B vitamins, minerals, and plenty of fiber, which is important when following a weight-loss program. <br /> <br />Tip <br />To identify a pasta as whole grain, look for whole grain to be first on the product's ingredient list. <br /> <br />Step 2: Practice portion control <br />Practice portion control. A true, one-serving size of pasta is 1/2 cup cooked -- about the size of a can of tuna. <br /> <br />Step 3: Add veggies <br />To bulk up your meal, add a cup of chopped cooked vegetables to your pasta. <br /> <br />Step 4: Top with cheese <br />Toss the pasta and vegetables with a teaspoon of olive oil, a tomato-based pasta sauce. If you want to add cheese, top with a naturally low-fat cheese like mozzarella or goat cheese. <br /> <br />Tip <br />Adding small amounts of healthy fats like cheese adds flavor, which helps you savor the meal, without adding a lot of calories. <br /> <br />Step 5: Add protein <br />Add a serving of lean protein to your meal to help you feel fuller longer. Four ounces of skinless poultry or fish is ideal. <br /> <br />Step 6: Lose weight <br />Satisfy your hunger and your craving for pasta while losing weight at the same time. <br /> <br />Did You Know? <br />A study by Louisiana State University found that the single greatest predictor of obesity in middle-aged women was a lack of fiber in their diets.
