1: How much water do you need to properly cook pasta?

2: Should salt or oil be added to the cooking water?

3: What is the ideal cooking time for pasta?

4: Should pasta be rinsed after cooking?

5: Are more vitamins lost if pasta is cooked too long?

6: How does whole wheat or multigrain taste compared to regular pasta?

7: How long can dry pasta keep?

8: What about pasta and my weight?

9: How many daily servings of grain products are recommended in Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide?

10: What is the size of one serving of grain products according to Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide?

11: Are Canadians eating enough grain products?

12: How can I get my kids to eat whole wheat or multigrain pasta?

13: Are the carbohydrates found in pasta good for you?

1: How much water do you need to properly cook pasta?

Pasta must be cooked in vigorously boiling water. The pot must be large enough for pasta to move freely and large bubbles to rise. For best results, consult our Perfect Pasta Guide.

2: Should salt or oil be added to the cooking water?

For best results, consult our Perfect Pasta Guide. The salt helps to make the water boil quicker. Some cooking experts also suggest adding a little oil to the cooking water to prevent pasta from sticking together or boiling over, while others do not recommend it. Try it yourself — you've got the
last word!

3: What is the ideal cooking time for pasta?

For best results, follow the cooking instructions on the CATELLI^® HEALTHY HARVEST^® package or for more information click here to consult our Perfect Pasta Guide.

4: Should pasta be rinsed after cooking?

Rinsing pasta stops the cooking process. Only rinse cooked pasta in cold water if you want to chill it to make a cold salad, or if you will be using the pasta in a dish that calls for more cooking. If you plan on eating the pasta right away, it should not be rinsed. The water removes the natural starch covering the pasta, which actually helps make the sauce stick to the pasta. Once cooked, however, pasta should be drained. If left in the cooking water, the pasta will actually continue to cook and will become too soft. For best results see the cooking instructions on the CATELLI^® HEALTHY HARVEST^® package and consult our Perfect Pasta Guide.

5: Are more vitamins lost if pasta is cooked too long?

Yes. Pasta that is cooked longer contains slightly fewer B vitamins (such as thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin) than pasta that is cooked al dente. The reason is that B vitamins are "water-soluble" vitamins, meaning that they get lost in the cooking water with prolonged cooking.

6: How does whole wheat or multigrain taste compared to regular pasta?

Whole grain pasta is higher in fibre and has a slightly different texture than regular pasta. Many people truly enjoy the richer, nuttier taste that whole grain pasta offers. Whole grain pasta, such as CATELLI^® HEALTHY HARVEST^®, can be combined with a variety of interesting and healthy ingredients such as vegetables, nuts, legumes, sauces, herbs, fruit or almost anything you can imagine to create dozens of flavours, each one more delicious than the next.

7: How long can dry pasta keep?

Dry pasta doesn't have a "best before" date because it keeps a very long time—up to 2 years and sometimes longer. Store it in a well-sealed container in a dry location.

8: What about pasta and my weight?

The truth is pasta – especially whole grain pasta, such as CATELLI^® HEALTHY HARVEST^® – easily fits into a diet designed for a healthy body weight. In fact, research shows that eating more whole grains, including whole grain pasta, contributes to a lower body weight and less belly fat, which is the type that’s most dangerous to your health. As with all foods, choosing the appropriate serving size matters, and with pasta, picking a healthy sauce also makes a difference.

9: How many daily servings of grain products are recommended in Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide?

The number of Food Guide Servings depends on your age and gender:

Make at least half your daily grain products whole grain choices.

10: What is the size of one serving of grain products according to Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide?

One serving is equal to…
- ½ cup of cooked pasta (about ½ the size of your fist)
- ½ cup of cooked rice (about ½ the size of your fist)
- 1 slice of bread
- 1/2 bagel or pita bread
- 30 g cold cereal
- ¾ cup (175 ml) of hot cereal

11: Are Canadians eating enough grain products?

Canadians have a hard time eating enough grain product, especially women and older adults. Almost half of women over age 30, and about two-thirds of women over 50 aren’t eating the minimum recommended servings of grain products every day. Over one-third of men over 50 and almost 45% of men over 70 are also falling short of their recommendations.¹

12: How can I get my kids to eat whole wheat or multigrain pasta?

Children enjoy colourful food and variety. They also learn by example:

- Try serving CATELLI^® HEALTHY HARVEST^® pasta with lots of colours. Top it with their favourite cheese, sauces and vegetables.
- Try to vary the shapes of the pasta. CATELLI^® HEALTHY HARVEST^® pasta comes in a variety of different shapes like macaroni, spaghetti, rotini and many more. Get kids involved and have them choose their favourite pasta shape!
- Serve pasta in different ways -- in pasta salads, soups or casseroles.
- Be a good role model. Children follow by example. Let them know how much you enjoy CATELLI^® HEALTHY HARVEST^® and they will too!

13: Are the carbohydrates found in pasta good for you?

Carbohydrates are an important source of fuel for your body and your brain. A healthy way to get your carbohydrates is from whole foods, like fruits and vegetables, beans and whole grains, including whole grain pasta. These foods play a key role in helping to reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, cancer and more. They are also digested slower, and help you feel full longer than more refined or processed carbohydrate-containing foods.