This started out as an economy related thread. I said that those who excercised alot or had manual labor jobs got the most out of pasta carbs. Therefore, the worldwide pasta industry should not suffer much because of our diet fads. I took into account the relative affordability of pasta carbs and the physical energy benefit per dollar/pound/peso/whatever. I stand behind that.
If you have medical problems of course the equation changes and you are the exception. As far as me getting lied to, I didn't depend on anybody else and my personal results are truer than anything you can recite.
Being slim is great, but if you eat many processed carbs (pasta is made from white flour) you can still get diabetes. This is a metabolic process. Also, carbs have been known (not known how) to play a role in inflamation. I can tell you my arthritic knee has improved greatly while low carbing. I have a couple of very thin friends who have attested to the same results. It is not just a matter of losing weight. I play tennis in Atlanta-very warm. We play three sets. Although, if the game is close we can play alot more. I eat protein and vegetables (green) before a match. I also eat berries. I have plenty of energy and always complete my matches. I eat low carb, high fiber bread. I eat pasta sometimes (like it), but I eat a high fiber version (low carb)-new quite delicious. It comes in a black box. I can't think of the name. I eat high fiber low processed grain (small amounts), fresh fruit and vegetable and meat. I feel great and my cholesterol is now 160-down over 20 points from high carb, low fat days. Everyone is different and responds to food in a unique way, but certain foods-white sugar, white flour, white rice etc- are bad for you whether you gain weight or not because they has little/no nutritional value.