"Pasta is a convenient nutritious easytoprepare meal for families. Pasta pleases even the pickiest of young eaters. And now even more good news new research shows that pasta consumption in children and adolescents is associated with a better diet quality than that of children who do not eat pasta. The research which was presented at the  Experimental Biology conference at the end of April in Chicago demonstrated that young pastaeaters have greater intakes of important vitamins and minerals and lower intakes of saturated fat and total fat in the diet compared to their peers who do not consume pasta.  The research Pasta Consumption in American Children and Adolescents is Associated with Greater Daily Intake of Shortfall Nutrients as Defined by the  Dietary Guidelines Improved Diet Quality and Lower Added Sugar Intake was conducted by Nutritional Strategies Inc. on behalf of the National Pasta Association. The study examined associations between pasta consumption shortfall nutrient intakes as defined by the  Dietary Guidelines  DG and diet quality in comparison to nonpasta consumption in U.S. children and adolescents ages . Pasta consumption was defined as all dry domestic and imported pastanoodle varieties made with only wheat and no egg. The data review did not look at any health outcomes associated with pasta consumption except for the ones specified below. From the analysis researchers identified a number of key positive nutritional dietary patterns associated with children and adolescents who eat pasta as part of their diet compared to those who dont eat pasta. They are Better overall diet quality as measured by USDAs Healthy Eating Index scale  Greater intake of key shortfall nutrients like dietary fiber folate iron magnesium and vitamin E  Lower daily intakes of saturated fat and total fat  No significant associations were seen with body weight waist circumference and body mass index Pasta has long been celebrated as one of Americas favorite foods and is advocated by nutritionists for its good nutrition.  Good nutrition is critical to the developing minds and bodies of children and adolescents. Certain grain foods like pasta are a great complement to a healthy wellbalanced meal and provide plenty of opportunities for improving the diet explains registered dietitian Diane Welland Nutrition Communications Manager for the National Pasta Association. Think of pasta as a canvas from which you can add nutrientdense fiberrich foods like fresh vegetables fruits cheese lean meats and legumes when creating meals for your family.   For more information recipes and facts about pasta please visit http To learn more about the research please contact Kara Yacovone at kyacovonekellencompany.com mailtokyacovonekellencompany.com.  About the National Pasta Association NPA  NPA is the leading trade association for the U.S. pasta industry. The association provides leadership to the industry on public policy issues serving as its voice in Washington D.C. NPA also forges alliances with key organizations monitors and addresses technical issues and conducts nutrition and food safety research on behalf of the U.S. pasta industry.  http"