Italy is definitely on to something — pasta is one of those foods that some of us just feel as if we can’t get enough of. We might even be able to eat it every day. But would eating it every day be a bad thing? After all, nutrition aside, pasta is an inexpensive pantry staple that lasts for a long time. It’s easy to prepare and lends itself to all kinds of dishes. Plus, it’s kid-friendly, so families don’t have to worry about making multiple meals. Not to mention, it keeps well for leftovers — you can just boil a massive pot on Sunday night, then add your toppings of choice throughout the week.

So, really, the thought of having some kind of pasta daily is excellent! It’s just a matter of whether it’s healthy or not, right? The short answer is that it depends. It all comes down to what type of pasta you’re eating, how you prepare it, and what you’re eating for the rest of your meals. But if you’re definitely interested in the idea of having pasta every day, here’s the rundown on what you should consider and how you should expect your body to react.

The nutritional profile of pasta

Before exploring the way pasta will affect your body, it’s helpful to take a quick look at what pasta’s made of — not only its ingredients but also its nutritional value when it breaks down in your body.