We’re not sponsored by the Pasta Association, but we’re not ones to pass up an opportunity to talk about it – particularly when someone says it’s good for you… A leading food scientist says it’s time we stopped hating on the carby goodness as it’s much better for us than many assume. Dr Emma Beckett from Newcastle Uni says pasta can be part of a healthy diet, with one cup of the cooked staple containing 7.7g of protein and 0.6g of fats, plus vitamins and minerals. And, yes, it is mostly carbohydrates, but that isn’t a bad thing as it’s one of several macronutrients we need every day to produce energy – presumably so we have the strength to cook more pasta… And if you’re worried about your calorie intake, the good news continues as studies show people who regularly consume pasta lose more weight than those who avoid it. So in the words of your nonna, Mangia!