Pasta and indigestion

[FoxyCoxy]

Does anyone know why every time I make pasta at home, whether it be fresh or dried, I always end up with terrible indigestion later on? Its not the quantity as I am following weight watchers at the minute and am not allowed much, but I still suffer. I drain it well after cooking.

However, if I have pasta in a restaurant, I don't have a problem, in fact I can eat twice as much of it and still be fine..... any ideas anyone because I really don't want to stop eating it!

Thanks

[bellasasha]

do you cook it al dente or til it is very soft?

[MrsJo49155]

certain starches in food can cause heartburn and indigestion....could it be that you dont rinse the pasta in hot water before serving so it still has all the starch sitting on it from the cooking process? Only a thought but might be completely wrong as my culinary skills are not too hot!!

[FoxyCoxy]

I guess I do probably cook it for longer than necessary. Usually about 15 minutes (tagliatelle).

Do you think that might be the problem?

[redmug100]

Use spagetti or a long pasta which forces you to chew it. Pasta is partly digested by saliva so the more you chew it the easyer it is to digest.

[FoxyCoxy]

yes but like I said, if I eat pasta in a restaurant I am fine, I am sure I don't eat it differently at home!

[nickmo]

Bunch of pasta info here about its make up. http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/foods_view/1,1523,82,00.html

You could be overcooking which won't really affect the constituents, but as pasta is suggested as good food for anyone who suffers from acid reflux or heartburn, have a think about what sauces you are having it with - not the pasta.

A good restaurant will make fresh pasta, but it has to be said that dried with a suace is almost as good as fresh. The main difference is that frsh takes less cooking time and has a naturaly softer - so maybe easier for you to digest - texture.

If you notice the feeling after tomato based sauce on pasta - its the tomato thats the problem more so than the pasta, as tomatoes are recognised as cause of heartburn.

Restaurants may well keep tomato sauce simmering for a long while for service, (as it is a staple) so cooking out the sauce, which reduces the effect you are sensitive to.

[FoxyCoxy]

Thanks for this - very useful.

Tonight I made pasta and instead of boiling it at full temperature for a good 15 - 20, I brought to boil and then simmered it for 10..... so far, no indigestion - I hope this is the answer!

Thanks again, especially you nickmo x