Because of all the hype on harmful effects from eating a pasta dish, carbohydrates turning into fats or creating high blood sugar level, just to name a few, some of us  wince  at the word  “pasta” whenever we look at a menu or recipe. I feared eating pasta and avoided the pasta aisle in the supermarket until I had trained myself to eat with moderation. Not only have I rediscovered different mouthwatering pasta dishes, but I have also learned to cook pasta with healthy ingredients, such as whole-wheat noodles, green vegetables, fresh tomatoes, low-fat or fat-free cheese,  etc.

Since I have been training harder recently for my triathlon race and spent a whole day helping my good friend moving into his new crib on Friday, I decided to look up a delicious pasta recipe from foodnetwork website and treat myself in this Labor Day evening.  I chose: Whole-Wheat Linguine with Vegetables and Ricotta

Here’s the list of my ingredients:

• 1 serving of linguine
• 1 handful of chopped tomatoes
• 1 handful of chopped green beans
• 1 handful of chopped broccoli
• 1  steamed artichoke
• 1/4 cups of chopped parsley
• 2  tablespoons of fat-free ricotta cheese

The process of making this pasta dish is simple. I basically sauteed boiled broccoli and green beans, a steamed artichoke, and tomatoes together for 10 minutes just to extract the tomato juice. Then I added cooked linguine and ricotta to finish the dish. I spent total 30 minutes preparing for the meal.

The key to stay healthy and fit while eating a pasta dish is to have a serving of any whole-wheat noodles cooked with healthy ingredients such as vegetables, herbs, low-fat (fat-free cheese), and lean meat if you choose to add some. Whole-wheat pasta contains a great amount of fibers, proteins, and vitamins. In addition, eat one serving prescribed from the pasta box and do not go overboard. Cook and eat smart, don’t miss out on one of the traditional favorites!

A warm and hearty plate of pasta dish ends my weekend on a high note. Now I am fueled with energy and ready for another week of grueling triathlon training.