Pasta can be a healthy inclusion in a balanced diet. The pasta itself won’t contribute to an unhealthy meal, but the sauces we decide to make can if we don’t make good choices. Sauces with a lot of heavy cream are not good for people on low-fat diets. Consider using healthier olive oils and mixing them with different flavors and spice blends for a tantalizing taste of flavors from around the world.

Personally, I only eat gluten-free pasta and I try to limit this to once a week. I don’t follow a low-fat diet because I believe that good fats are really beneficial in helping you lose weight and maintain a healthy body. So when I cook pasta as a main meal, I use the leftovers as snacks (when there are leftovers!)

I like to try olive oils of different flavors as a very simple sauce for my pasta. For example, you could try these three flavors:

1. Thai-inspired olive oil: Thai-inspired extra virgin olive oil with lemongrass, garlic, basil, lime and chilli.

2. Mediterranean olive oil – Mediterranean basil, garlic, pepper, thyme and lemon in extra virgin olive oil.

3. Spicy Mexican Olive Oil: Mexican-inspired extra virgin olive oil with garlic, chilli, lime, basil, pepper and thyme.

These oils alone will add incredible flavor to plain pasta. Imagine what you could do by adding some herbs and / or spices as well. A plain and boring past no longer!

I think combining a blend of herbs and spices with a flavored oil, some fresh seasonal vegetables, pasta, and the addition of chicken strips would also be divine and healthy.

There are three mixes that I could recommend that you find:

1. A Moroccan Blend – Works great with cooked lentils, chickpeas, or fresh vegetables.

2. A Mediterranean Mix: When mixed with risotto rice and chicken or to flavor protein, couscous and vegetables, it is simply fantastic.

3. A Tunisian-style mix – a mix of medium spicy with nuts, inspired by harisa to mix with lentils, chickpeas and vegetables.

There are many combinations of oils, herbs, spices, and ingredients that you can use to add variety to your meals and include healthy pasta options.

Take your taste buds on an international flavor travel sensation!

Check that the products you use do not contain added monosodium glutamate, preservatives or gluten for a healthier life. A great inclusion for any pantry wanting to try flavored foods from around the world.