One of the most horrifying conversations that I've ever heard, was when my (then under ten) niece and nephew told my mum that pasta, potatoes and rice were all unhealthy foods and that she shouldn't be making them dinner with them. Because they were Bad For You.
Apparently the school they were in at the time had told them All About The Evils Of Carbs. And how they should be avoiding them all.
Carb loading has it's place definitely (I used to do it a lot pre-days where I knew I was going to be doing it a lot of heavy lifting for work). But honestly so does just eating carbs.
But we really need to get people to stop saying terrifying things like "pasta only fills you up with empty calories"
Because OP is right, it fills you with love and warmth (and most importantly pasta).
But it also fills you with energy. And, if you are still growing, it fuels your growth.