But saying thatpastais a contributor to America’s collective weight gain is an oversimplified statementand not totally accurate.

Ditching refined noodles and heavy sauces can slim down pasta dishesthat’s obvious.

A less obvious strategy: enjoying noodles chilled instead of hot off the stove.

Sugar snap pea and carrot soba noodles.jpg

Consuming resistant starches can promote feelings of fullness andweight loss, according toresearchers.

Here, some tasty and healthy pasta salad recipes on the net.

Tip:To ensure the sugar count of this dish stays low, nix the craisins.

mandarin pasta salad

There are so many other strong flavors mixed in with the noodles that you won’t even miss ‘empromise!

Get the recipe fromCreme de la Crumb.

Get the recipe fromGimme Some Oven.

asparagus and arugula pasta salad

This crowd-pleasing Mediterranean-style healthy pasta salad.

This dish makes a tasty, nutritionally-sound addition to any outdoor barbecue.

Get the recipe fromFoodie Crush.

greek pasta salad

Get the recipe fromAmbitious Kitchen.

Get the recipe fromCookie & Kate.

Get the recipe fromPinch of Yum.

southwest pasta salad

Vegan Macaroni Salad

Serves:8Nutrition:243 calories, 5 g fat, 0.

Get the recipe fromMinimalist Baker.

Whilespinachowes it muscle-growing powers to its iron levels, chicken has its sky-high protein content to thank.

sugr snap pea and carrot soba noodles

Get the recipe fromRecipe Runner.

The best partbesides the tasteis that it’s packed with vital nutrients.

Sounds like a great excuse to dig in!

5 ingredient green pasta salad

vegan macaroni salad

spinach orzo chicken salad

kale caesar pasta salad

5 ingredient pasta salad