Why does pasta increase in calories when cooked?

Pasta doesn't actually increase in calories when cooked. The calorie content of pasta remains essentially the same before and after cooking. Here's why the misconception exists:

* Water absorption: When you cook pasta, it absorbs water, which increases its weight. This makes it seem like the pasta has more calories because you're eating a larger volume. However, the absorbed water doesn't add any calories.

* Sauce: The calories you consume from pasta often come from the sauce you add, not the pasta itself. Rich, creamy sauces can significantly add to the calorie count of a pasta dish.

* Portion size: It's easy to overeat cooked pasta because it's filling and palatable. A larger portion size means you're consuming more calories, even if the pasta itself hasn't changed in calorie content.

Here's a simple analogy:

Think of a sponge. Dry, it weighs very little. When you soak it in water, it becomes much heavier. Did the sponge gain calories from the water? No. It simply gained weight due to the added water.

The same applies to pasta. The cooking process primarily changes its texture and volume, not its calorie content.