HISTORY OF PASTA IN AMERICA IS TOPIC OF APRIL 15, 2018 PROGRAM
Despite all the naysayers, pasta really is good for us, and you can find out why from Diane Welland, a leading nutritionist and food writer. Diane will be the featured speaker at our program on April 15, 2018, to be held at Carmine’s Restaurant.
Here’s why Diane says you should eat more pasta. It’s because new research shows that people who regularly eat pasta — the fundamental component of Italian Mediterranean cuisine — may have better diet quality, greater intake of vitamins and minerals and can better manage blood sugar levels, compared to those who do not eat pasta. Diane is well-qualified to tell us about this fascinating subject. She is a registered dietitian and freelance writer and consultant specializing in consumer, custom and trade publications related to food, nutrition, food service, health and fitness.
A New Jersey native, she worked in both New York City and New Jersey before moving to Northern Virginia to become Manager of Nutrition Services/Media Spokesperson for the National Restaurant Association in Washington, D.C. Three years later, she left that position to pursue her first love--writing.
You don’t have to be Italian to love pasta, Diane says. It’s one of the most popular foods in America, but that wasn’t always the case. In her presentation, she will trace the history, culture and cuisine of pasta in the United States; how pasta was introduced in America, by Thomas Jefferson; enjoyed a surge of popularity by a wave of Italian immigrants (particularly those from Sicily) at the turn of the century; and then was influenced by soldiers who fought in World War II. Learn from Diane where you can find pasta tips, tricks and information about using pasta as well as dozens of mouthwatering pasta recipes.
Currently,
Diane follows culinary, nutrition and lifestyle trends and often translates scientific information into layman's terms, interviewing chefs and food service operators as well as talking to leading scientists. During a very interesting career, she has also worked for the International Caterers Association, for leading newsletters in the field such as the Environmental Nutrition Newsletters. She also teaches nutrition at Northern Virginia Community College and does recipe development and testing.
Diane graduated from Rutgers University and has a Master of Science in Nutrition Science from New York University. Diane will explain to us how pasta is a low-sodium and cholesterol-free food with a low glycine index — foods that keep blood sugar levels in control. She cites a study showing that “pasta eaters have better quality diets than those who don’t eat pasta,” according to Diane. “Pasta can be an effective building block for good nutrition, as it serves as a perfect delivery system for fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish and legumes,” she added.
So, if you would like to know more about one of everybody’s favorite foods, you should make it a point to come to our meeting on April 15 to hear a wonderful talk and enjoy a delicious lunch at Carmine’s. We note that tickets cost a little more than in the past due to a price increase by the restaurant, but we hope you will appreciate the convenient location and enjoy the delicious lunch of bread, mixed green salad, penne alla vodka, sausage, peppers, and onions, dessert and certain beverages (wine and other alcoholic beverages available for purchase). Please bring your family members and friends too, and kindly make your paid reservations by the deadline of April 12.
SAVE THE DATES:
2018 CALENDAR OF AMHS MEETINGS & EVENTS
•Sunday, April 15, 1:00 p.m., Carmine’s Restaurant
•Sunday, June 10, 1:00 p.m., Casa Italiana
•Sunday, July 22, 1:00 p.m., Casa Italiana
•Sunday, August 12, 3:00 p.m., Ferragosto Picnic
•Sunday, September 23, 1:00 p.m., restaurant TBD
•Sunday, November 11, 1:00 p.m., Casa Italiana