Calories in Pastas

Despite the popularity of low-carb diets, carbohydrates are not fattening, at least not more so than other foods, according to the American Medical Association. However, pastas are too high in fat and calories to eat every day.

Pasta with White Sauce

Pastas with white sauce, such as fettuccine Alfredo, are some of the worst offenders in the fat and calories department. A 1 cup serving of fettuccine Alfredo contains 415 calories and 17 g of fat, a whopping 26 percent of the daily value for fat, according to the website Fat Secret.

Filled Pastas

Filled pastas, such as tortellini, aren't much better than pasta with white sauce. A 1 cup serving of cheese tortellini contains 354 calories, 8.34 g of fat, and 4.15 g of saturated fat, according to Fat Secret. While this type of pasta contains a manageable 13 percent of the daily value for total fat, it also contains 21 percent of the daily value for saturated fat.

Pasta with Marinara

Pasta with marinara is a healthier option when you're craving a plate of pasta. Fat Secret reports that a 1 cup serving contains only 185 calories, 5 g of fat, and a mere 0.8 g of saturated fat. The tomatoes in the sauce also contain lycopene, which helps keep your eyes healthy, according to the Doctors Book of Food Remedies.