Spaghettios have been one of the favorite foods ever since they launched in the 1960s. However, if you are a health-conscious person, you must be wondering – are spaghettios healthy, and if they are safe for frequent consumption?
Many American kids have grown up eating spaghettios, and it is a food that many of them feel nostalgic about. It has been considered a kid-and-mom favorite dish ever since it launched. However, many parents are wondering whether or not this food is healthy and whether it is safe to implement into a regular diet. Today, we are going to answer some questions about this food and provide an in-depth analysis of its nutritive and calorie value. There is a lot to cover, so let us begin without a further redo.
Contents
What Are Spaghettios?
Spaghettios is an American brand of canned spaghetti in tomato sauce. This food has been marketed as “less messy” for parents since it is very quick and easy to make. It is a ring-shaped pasta that was introduced to the public in 1965 by the Campbell Soup Company under Franco American brand.
Over 150 million canned spaghettios are sold every year in different variations of flavors, including meatballs, processed meat pieces like hot dog slices, beef-filled ravioli, and calcium-fortified spaghetti.
Spaghettios Nutritive Value
Spaghettios are controlled for fat, saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium. Over the past couple of years, Camden, N.J.-based Campbell, has reduced sodium in the spaghettios by 39 percent. Moreover, each can provides at least five essential nutrients such as vitamin A, calcium, or fiber, while all plain varieties have complete grain service.
Are Spaghettios Healthy?
Canned foods typically do not have a good reputation among health-conscious people in general. Foods like canned tuna, salmon, or chicken could get a pass, but spaghettios have too much going on, so we are going to break down the ingredients and figure out how healthy it really is.
High Fructose Corn Syrup
One serving of spaghettios contains 12 grams of sugar, and half of that amount is just added sugar. This food also contains fructose corn syrup that is used to get a smooth texture. When compared to other sugars, this syrup provides a better texture, and it is also much more affordable.
Large amounts of high fructose corn syrup are usually linked to inflammation, high triglycerides, fatty liver disease, heart diseases, and even reduced life expectancy. Moreover, when consumed in significant amounts, high fructose corn syrup can increase your weight and risk of diabetes.
Soy Protein
Much of the proteins in canned spaghettios are sourced from soy protein concentrate. This protein has small amounts of carcinogenic pesticides used in the production of genetically modified soy.
This is important because these pesticide residues are toxic to human health and, in some cases, can lower immunity and be damaging to reproduction and nervous systems.
Ingredients of One Can of Spaghettios
One can of spaghettios has 213 grams and contains 149 calories, which is lower than a cup of cooked spaghetti, which stands at 210 calories. Also, the fat percentage is only 2 in a single spaghettio can. Here are the ingredients of a single can:
- Water
- Tomato paste
- Enriched pasta
- High fructose corn syrup
- Salt
- Cheddar cheese
- Vegetable oil
- Enzyme
- Modified butter
- Beta carotene for color
- Citric acid
- Paprika extract
Benefits of Spaghettios
Aside from certain drawbacks that come with spaghettios, there are still multiple nutritive benefits that come with them. In the section below, you will find explanations of how spaghettios can actually aid your diet and health.
They Are Rich in Nutrients
Spaghettio servings are rich in a wide variety of nutrients, and they are low in calories as well. In addition, whole wheat spaghettios offer even more nutrient supplements, and the can of this variation contains more fiber than refined spaghettios. It is also a good source of iron and B vitamins.
They Can Help You Lose Weight
Spaghettios are a type of food that can be implemented into your diet if you are trying to lose some weight. As we mentioned previously, wheat spaghettios are low in calories and can be a nutritive, delicious, and healthy addition to your diet.
Although some people believe that the consumption of spaghettios may cause weight gain, many researchers have denied this speculation. Some studies have also confirmed that spaghettios do not have an effect on the weight of obese people.
They Are Rich in Fiber
Spaghettios are fiber-rich foods that can be an excellent option for your diet since it is, like other nutrients, essential for the body and its health. It does not only keep your belly full for a longer period, but it also balances weight.
Moreover, fiber can help you reduce constipation, and in order to get the best effect, you should consume wheat spaghettios.
Can I Eat Spaghettios if I Have an Intolerance to Gluten or Lactose?
It is not recommended to eat spaghettios if you have an intolerance to gluten or lactose since each serving of this food contains both wheat and dairy ingredients. In addition, tomato-based dishes are a major trigger of heartburn, so if you are prone to frequent cases of acid reflux, tomato-rich foods are something you should avoid at all costs.
So, Are Spaghettios Healthy Food?
No, in general, spaghettios are not a healthy type of food. Although they are packed with numerous essential nutrients, the food inside is still processed, and the high content of sugar overpowers all the healthy benefits of this food.
However, if you do not have some sort of health condition that requires you to eat specific foods, it is completely fine to eat spaghettios, especially if you eat them in moderate amounts.
In addition, Campbell Soup Company has made multiple health provisions to its products, which made its foods healthier than canned pasta and other similar types of canned food.
Final Words
This concludes our article about spaghettios benefits, drawbacks, and ingredients. It is safe to say that there are healthier variations of this food, such as whole-wheat spaghettios, but the most important thing to remember is that this food should be consumed moderately.
As long as you do not have any type of health condition and do not eat this food several times every day, you should be fine. However, the safest course of action would be to consult your nutritionist and healthcare provider, just to be sure if it is safe to implement spaghettios in your everyday diet.
Steve is a certified trainer with more than 10 years of training experience and he holds a Master’s in Sports Science. Prior to Boston Rock Gym, Steve worked for two years as a personal trainer.