Is pasta actually bad for you? The truth about the food ban that Lisa Reilly credits for her weight loss

LISA Riley has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, shedding 12 stone and slimming from a size 22 to a size 12.

And the actress admitted on This Morning today that she credited ditching pasta as one of the big reasons for her weight loss.

Lisa, 41, was discussing the secrets of her diet success as she promoted her new book, Honesty Diet, and insisted: “I haven’t had pasta in nineteen months.”

She added: “This is my life now.”

But do you really need to cut pasta out of your diet to see success?

Sun nutritionist Amanda Ursell insists it’s not pasta that we need to cut from our diets but the way we eat it.

She explains: “Pasta does get an unfair rep in the diet world.

"White or brown pasta has a Low Glycemic Index, which means it’s easier to digest and easier to metabolise.

"Brown pasta is a fantastic source of fibre and it keeps you feeling fuller for longer.”

She adds: “I think the trouble with pasta is we tend to have very large portions. A typical suggested serving would be around 70 grams uncooked but I think many people often double that.

"Then they add creamy sauces and often calorific sides, like garlic bread.”

Amanda says that whilst she understands Lisa's decision to cut out pasta, she wouldn’t advocate banning the food for everyone.

“Any diet that cuts out bread or pasta or a particular food group isn’t always a sensible approach.

"If pasta is a real weakness for Lisa then I understand why she cuts it out. Perhaps she can’t have it in moderation so it’s easier for her to not have at all.

"But if you like pasta, you can still enjoy it and lose weight. Opt for a tomato or fishy sauce – not creamy. Keep the portion size small and add a healthy salad for your side.”

This comes after experts gave their verdict on the best diet approaches.