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The Best Pasta to Lose Abdominal Fat—Ranked!

Who told you pasta can’t be part of your weight loss plan?

Pasta gets a bad rap for being high in carbs, but consumer demand has really expanded the options available when walking down the pasta aisle!

Pasta alone—or any food for that matter—cannot cause weight gain or weight loss. Rather, it is the overall consumption of calories consumed and calories burned throughout the day that matters the most! New pasta varieties offer more fiber and protein options than ever before. These filling choices make it easier to portion size while still satisfying.

So, if you are a pasta aficionado, we've got you covered with the latest and greatest pasta brands.

Veggie pasta

pasta with veggies
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There are many veggie pasta options, but oftentimes, they are just made with some of the pigmentations to appear healthier than they really are.

There's one exception… Banza! Made with chickpeas and thus chock full of fiber and protein, Banza is a staple in our house. This pasta has 25% fewer net carbs and 50% more protein than traditional pasta!

The best part? It tastes and looks so similar to the real thing… you might not even notice a difference.

Pro-tip for kids: Banza makes a mac and cheese that is more like a complete meal when you consider it delivers a whopping 8 grams of fiber and 18 grams of protein per serving.

High-protein pasta

pasta with lentils
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Pasta traditionally has about 7 grams of protein per serving. Barilla's Protein+ line delivers all the benefits of classic pasta with an added boost of protein and double the fiber!

Protein helps regulate blood sugar and contributes to increased feelings of fullness, so this product is a huge win in our book!

Barilla did a great job with the taste and texture here. We think it is nearly identical to regular pasta!

Whole wheat pasta

whole wheat pasta
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Whole wheat pasta is certainly the heartiest choice. With 5 grams of fiber per serving, it's hard to find a healthier option on the shelves.

Jovial's whole wheat pasta is made from an ancient wheat variety called einkorn wheat. This type of wheat is significantly less modified than newer, more conventional wheat varieties and tends to be low in gluten.

Thus, many gluten-sensitive folks tend to do well with this variety. Jovial crafts their pasta to contain less starch and more protein and fiber than traditional whole wheat options.

Classic pasta

penne pasta with chicken, veggies, and tomatoes
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Regular pasta gets a bad rep, but did you know even white pasta still contains 2 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein per serving? Not too shabby if you ask me.

I love classic Italian brands if I am opting for the real thing like De Cecco. Pair these classics with a lean protein option, a light sauce, and tons of colorful veggies for a balanced meal!

Gluten-free pasta

gluten-free pasta
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Most gluten-free pasta is actually quite low in fiber and often turns to mush when overboiled—not Ancient Harvest! Ancient Harvest offers a blend of starchy, gluten-free grains that create your beloved pasta taste and texture.

Our preferred option is their corn, brown rice, and quinoa blend.

Caroline Thomason, RDN
Caroline is a women's health Registered Dietitian and diabetes educator based in Northern Virginia. Read more about Caroline