The history of dried pasta as we know it today is linked to the Arab domination of Sicily according to several historians

It was 1154, when the Arab geographer Edrisi mentioned "a food made of flour in the form of threads", the "triyah" prepared in Trabia. From Sicily, the pasta thus prepared was then exported to the continent.

Again according to the Arab geographer, already in the mid-1100s in Sicily, and in particular in the Trabia area, "so much pasta" was produced that it was exported "to all parts, to Calabria and to other Muslim and Christian countries and they send out a lot of shiploads.”

But how good is pasta, how can you do without it?

This is the question we often ask ourselves but let's face it, pasta is good for you.

Pasta is the basis of a correct diet

Cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet, Pasta must be considered an indispensable food in the daily diet.

With its high content of complex carbohydrates, Pasta is to be considered a particularly important food in our diet.

In the graphic representation of the food pyramid, cereals rich in complex carbohydrates, including pasta, are placed at the base, where the foods that should be consumed several times a day are located.

Pasta also has a fair amount of proteins (around 11%), even if it has a low biological value, while it has a completely negligible amount of fats.

Pasta and sport

Pasta in Sport is a typical food of our Italian tradition and occupies a place of honor in the food pyramid of the Mediterranean diet.

From an energy point of view, semolina pasta provides approximately 350 Kcal per 100g while wholemeal pasta 320 Kcal and egg pasta 365 Kcal.

In an endurance sport such as cycling, marathon, triathlon or other endurance sport, the presence of pasta in the athlete's weekly diet is fundamental.

But if you are not a sports professional, little changes, pasta is indicated in the diet of those who want to maintain good health, but also for those who want to lose a little weight (satiating properties of Pasta, especially wholemeal) and of those who, having to carry out intense physical activity, need readily usable energy. Furthermore, if taken together with protein foods (fish, meat or cheese-based condiments) it allows you to use proteins for plastic purposes (to promote muscle growth), rather than energy.

The word to the experts

We asked Dr. Valentina Schirò, nutritional biologist and food science specialist, to address the following topics:

Pasta and SportPasta and DietaPasta and PatologiePasta and Fake News

Thanks to his experience and knowledge, we have prepared the document "A journey to discover Sicilian pasta and nutrition" which you can download using the following button.