[QUOTE=Dori Schatell;20477]Interesting that you noted the increase in your cholesterol and triglycerides with so much pasta, Peter. Recent studies have been finding that it’s starches that cause these increases–not fat, as was believed previously. Think about it, though. When they want to fatten up cattle to “finish” them for market, what do they feed them? Corn. Not fat. (If fat would make cattle fat, they would use it. It doesn’t.)
Grains and legumes have antinutrients that can deplete the body of other essential nutrients. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antinutrient). I don’t eat either one. 
I know everyone thinks these are “healthy.” But that’s not necessarily the case. OTOH, I should warn you that I have ZERO training in nutrition. Strictly an amateur who reads a lot & is trying not to get type 2 diabetes like my dad has.[/QUOTE]
My wife gave up rice 6 months ago and has lost 20 pounds as of two days ago, that with a WHOLE lot of exercise that it is. She started to develop elevated blood sugars, never to the point of diabetes, but it does run in her family. I scared her enough that she has really got a handle on it now. Unfortunately, it is a lifetime battle that doesn’t stop or go away. Nevertheless, we have both learned our lessons with our favorite starches. Too bad, but I still get a little bit every once in a while. I guess that there is also eggplant parmasian without much of the parmiasian it is fine.