'I Ate Pasta Every Day for a Week—Here's What Happened'
Woman eating pasta
Coming of age during an era in which Jessica Simpson was considered "plump" for actually looking fabulous in high-waisted jeans, I, like many Millennial women, bought into the whole low-carb diet thing.
Thankfully, I got off that toxic diet-culture-driven gravy train as I began distance training in my late 20s and early 30s and needed carbs to fuel my workouts. Pasta has been a staple of my diet ever since, though I've never intentionally eaten it daily or paid much attention to how it made my body feel. The exception has been during marathon training season. In 2023, when I ran my first post-kid marathon after a five-year break, I noticed that I felt better after eating whole wheat pasta the night before a long run of 16 miles than I did after consuming the typical white pasta during previous training cycles. I was less ravenous (even with a pre-workout snack) during runs and felt stronger.
Typically, runners are advised to eat simple carbs before runs, though that's always been a food fight. Anyway, when I was asked to write a story about eating pasta daily for a week, I thought, "Why not?" I'm trying to be more intentional and tune into my body's messages in multiple areas of my life, so why not include my dinner choices?
Seven days later, here's what I can tell you about what it's like to eat pasta every day for an entire week purposefully.
Related: The #1 Change I Noticed When I Ate a Bowl of Oatmeal for Breakfast Every Day for a Week
Is Pasta Healthy?
Carbs have been the center of debates about health and wellness, some of which are harmful (see above). There are lots of different kinds of pasta these days, but the two main ones (and the two I consumed over the course of a week) are white and whole wheat. Generally, dietitians recommend choosing whole wheat and grain carbs instead of refined ones (like white pasta).
The Cleveland Clinic notes that whole-wheat pasta is a good source of fiber and nutrients that can reduce disease risk.
A pilot study from 2016 suggested that whole wheat pasta helped people feel fuller longer than refined. Yet, an older 2010 study didn't find a difference in blood sugar levels in people who ate refined or whole-wheat pasta.
Listen. While I write about nutrition and health topics, I'm not an expert. Also, food isn't just about food and health—it's about community, nostalgia, taste and all the things. A dietitian is an excellent resource if you're concerned or curious about how food might affect your personal health goals.
Beth Ann Mayer
Personally, I generally stick to whole wheat/grain varieties of carbs, as they make me feel better, and I notice I'm fuller longer. However, I'll totally eat white pasta here and there and did during this "challenge."
What It Was Like to Eat Pasta Every Single Day
On day one of the challenge, I hadn't thought much about what I was having for dinner that night. We had some whole-wheat spaghetti in the pantry, so I helped myself to a serving of that. It was a cinch to boil it with some frozen veggies, add some beans and sauce and call it a night.
Four hours later, my stomach wasn't growling. In fact, the next day, I still felt pretty full and easily completed a 30-minute tempo run that involved me running at a 5K pace for 15 minutes straight. This feeling aligned with what I had previously noticed during marathon training sessions.
My husband cooked the following evening—bless him—sort of rolling his eyes when he learned I wanted to eat pasta every day for a week. I'm the one in the relationship who likes structure and predictability; the master scheduler. He craves spontaneity. Yet, he obliged. After all, feeding multiple mouths (two kids and three pets) requires money, and I was getting paid to do this pasta challenge.
He whipped up what I'll call a "stir-fry adjacent meal." This dinner involved him throwing spaghetti, carrots and Brussels sprouts in a pan, adding some low-sodium soy sauce and protein (pork and beans), and serving. It was a great way to clear the fridge and reduce food waste, and the results were delicious.
My preschooler only eats pasta without sauce, so he had buttered noodles. Also, he was way more excited about eating pasta for dinner every night than his Dad. Once again, I felt great the next day. On Friday, we all had buttered noodles—don't knock it 'til you've tried it. While the butter aspect didn't sit that well, I was full the following day. Also, it reminded me of the buttered noodles my late grandmother used to make, which was sweet, and my kids didn't complain, which is always a dinnertime win.
On Saturday, my husband and I went out to celebrate our anniversary—a rare weekend night out for Mom and Dad. While neither of us is Italian, we traveled to Italy for our honeymoon and always attempt to recreate our dinners there on our anniversary (first course, pasta, main and dessert with cappuccinos). I chose the tortellini with bolognese—it's a classic that I can still taste.
Despite eating far more than usual, I did feel a bit hungry the next day—and tired, so we had leftover pasta on Sunday. The following two days, I reverted to my busy-mom dinner of night one and easily powered through morning workouts. However, I purchased elbow and spiral pasta to have fun with shapes and textures since eating the same thing daily can get boring.
Related: These Are the 10 Healthiest Cheeses, According to Registered Dietitians
What I Learned
One significant learning was that, at least for me, whole wheat pasta truly does make me feel better and more satisfied. I had more energy and felt fuller in the morning, and I love it when I'm at my best for workouts. A few other things:
Predictability is pleasant. Not having to ask, "What's for dinner?" was one less item on my list. I enjoyed that.
Boredom is not. While I liked the routine of nightly pasta, your mileage may vary (or your partner's). My husband was not a massive fan of the idea, as eating the same thing every day can be straight-up dull for some. I won't be surprised if he cooks anything but pasta for the next few days.
Pasta is easy. While you can get creative with pasta, it's so simple just to boil it. I didn't have to chop it like Air-fried potatoes or do anything fancy. When it comes to no-fuss dinners for busy types, pasta tops the list.
Experiment. Pasta comes in multiple sizes and varieties. Additionally, it serves as a blank slate for other foods. Try mixing up sauces, veggies and proteins and playing with shapes to avoid getting bored.
Ultimately, I'm glad I took on this challenge. I felt better before bed and in the morning, and I didn't have to stress about dinner. Sometimes, the best way is the easiest—and pasta is a cinch.
Next up: Here's What It Means If You're Suddenly Craving Milk
Sources
31 High-Fiber Foods You Should Be Eating. Cleveland Clinic.
Whole-grain pasta reduces appetite and meal-induced thermogenesis acutely: a pilot study. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism.
Wholegrain vs. refined wheat bread and pasta. Effect on postprandial glycemia, appetite, and subsequent ad libitum energy intake in young healthy adults. Appetite.
