Most pasta is made from the durum plant, which contains gluten. After the wheat berries have been harvested from this plant, they are ground up and formed into dough with the addition of water. Gluten-free pasta uses grains that do not contain gluten, and this pasta can be used as an alternative in a gluten-free diet.
Types
Gluten-free pasta is derived from such grains as brown rice, white rice, corn or quinoa. Rice pasta is one of the most popular, and it has a high absorbency when it comes to other flavors in the dish such as sauces, oils and spices. Corn pasta should be avoided by people who have a corn allergy. Quinoa pasta gives you the nutritional advantage of being a complete protein, meaning it contains all of the essential amino acids the body needs for proper functioning.
Features
The nutritional content of gluten-free pasta is similar to that of regular pasta. It is high in carbohydrates, low in fat, low in cholesterol, has a moderate amount of protein and generally has anywhere from 1 to 4 g of fiber per serving. The biggest difference is that is it lower in fiber than traditional wheat-based pasta, especially whole wheat pasta.
Preparation
When you prepare gluten-free pasta, you should follow the directions carefully. Being that it is not made from conventional grains, it has a tendency to break apart and become gooey. Do not skimp on the amount of water you use, and make sure it is boiling before you add the noodles. Salt should be added to keep it from sticking to the pot, and the noodles should be added slowly. The pasta should be cooked only until it is tender, and it should then be washed with cold water and drained thoroughly before adding any sauces.
Varieties
Gluten-free pasta comes in many of the same varieties of regular pasta: spaghetti, elbows, shells, rigatoni, fettuccine, rotini, linguine, spirals and lasagna style noodles are all available.
Warning
Many people top their pasta with sauce, a product you would think does not contain gluten. However, some sauces do have ingredients that contain gluten. If you are on a gluten-restricted diet, check the label for a specific gluten-free notification, or consult with the company directly before using such products. You also can find sauces and pastas in specific gluten-free sections at stores.
