Why is pasta called cereal food?

Here's why:

* Cereal grains: Cereal foods are made from grains like wheat, rice, barley, oats, and corn.

* Pasta's origin: Pasta is made primarily from wheat flour and water. While it does contain a cereal grain (wheat), it's not a simple grain product like a bowl of rice or oatmeal.

* Processing: Pasta goes through a significant processing stage, where the flour and water are mixed and formed into specific shapes, then dried.

Therefore, pasta is considered a "grain product" rather than a "cereal food".