There are several benefits to a pasta meal—it’s savory, leaves you feeling full, and is generally a cheap meal to produce and quick to cook.
But as you know, there is a such thing as too much of a good thing. Overdoing the pasta crutch at mealtime can lead to some health issues, some of which you may be familiar with and others that may be a surprise.
Bannister Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has a look at five of these adverse side effects to a pasta-rich diet.
1. Increased Diabetes Risk
Most pastas are loaded with simple carbohydrates, which is one of the biggest factors that lead to increased blood sugar levels in the body. Not surprisingly, high-carb diets can lead to an increased risk of diabetes.
2. Missing Key Nutrients
Filling up on pasta may not leave room for other foods like fruits and vegetables that allow your body to get all of the vitamins and nutrients that it needs.
3. Increased Risk of Heart Disease
In addition to a diabetes risk, having too many refined carbs like white pastas can raise your risk of heart disease as well.
4. Potential High Blood Pressure
In addition to the problems we mention above with refined carbs, an increase in blood pressure is another one of them. In fact, high blood pressure can be what leads to heart disease. Enjoying pasta just occasionally will help keep your risk down.
5. Weight Gain
Researchers have found that pasta is one of the foods that is overeaten the most. One serving is around one-half of a cup, but most have around four times that amount at home and even more at a restaurant. Especially ones that offer all-you-can-eat options. All those calories, especially at dinner time, can lead to putting on extra pounds.

To learn more about Bannister Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://bannister-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org/.