On the Chinese social network, a recipe for homemade pasta has been making the rounds for some time. Simple, quick and accessible even to beginners, it seems to combine the qualities. But is it really good for your health? We asked Julie Boët, dietitian-nutritionist, the question.
A popular recipe… based on green vegetables
Notice to all apprentice pastiers (artisans specializing in making pasta), this viral TikTok recipe is attracting more and more enthusiasts. His secret? It only requires two ingredients: flour… and broccoli. And yes! Against all expectations, all it takes is a simple broccoli (steamed, then cooled) and 200 grams of flour to concoct delicious gnocchi. This hearty dish is of course accompanied by a creamy sauce, here based on parmesan, cream and garlic.
But if on paper this recipe has everything to please, does it really constitute a balanced meal? Does adding vegetables necessarily make a pasta dish healthier? Here’s what our nutrition expert thinks.
Homemade pasta that is not very filling
According to Julie Boët, dietitian-nutritionist, this homemade pasta recipe has a real advantage for people who have difficulty consuming vegetables.
“By integrating broccoli directly into the dough, it allows you to benefit from it in a more discreet form, while taking advantage of its nutrients, notably vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants, even if some of it will be degraded during cooking,” she reveals.
However, because the vegetable is blended, the fiber content is reduced, which can reduce the satiety effect of the meal. “To overcome this, it would be interesting to use wholemeal flour instead of white flour, in order to increase fiber intake and improve the satiating effect,” recommends the expert.
Furthermore, this recipe remains quite low in protein, which is essential for a balanced meal.
“It would therefore be relevant to add a source of protein such as fish, tofu, legumes to complete the plate. Finally, accompanying this pasta with other vegetables, in the form of a sauce or garnish, would provide more nutritional diversity and better balance the meal,” concludes the dietitian.