Barilla makes whole grain linguine, penne, rotini, spaghetti and medium shells. These products are made from 51 percent whole wheat. Unlike other whole grain pastas which rely upon a higher percentage of whole grains, this mixture of whole wheat and semolina has a good mouth feel, without the grittiness that other whole grain pastas often suffer from. Having such a tasty product wins big in the nutrition department because consumers are more likely to reap the benefits of the extra fiber and protein found in this whole grain product.
Fat and Calories
According to the Barilla website, 2 oz., or 56 g, of uncooked whole grain pasta has 200 calories. Fifteen of these calories are from the 1.5 g of fat found therein. These numbers suggest that this product can be enjoyed by people trying to maintain a healthy weight. Chefs may want to exercise care in the kitchen because many pasta dishes are high in calories and fat because the dish is prepared with rich sauces.
Fiber
Nutritional information appearing on the Barilla website explains that 2 oz. of any type of uncooked Barilla whole grain pastas have 6 g of fiber. This is far more than the measly 1.8 g found in a comparable volume of pasta made from white flour. This fiber count suggests that whole grain pasta makes a particularly filling meal, providing 24 percent of the daily requirement of fiber.
Protein
Two ounces of Barilla uncooked whole grain pasta have 7 g of protein. Curiously, this is more or less the same amount of protein found in pastas made from enriched white flour.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that the recommended daily allowance of protein is 0.8 g of protein per kg of body weight. After converting kilograms to pounds, this means that a serving of Barilla pasta satisfies slightly less than half of the protein requirement for a 50 lb. child.
Vitamins and Minerals
Barilla whole grain pasta isn't a great source of vitamins or minerals. According to the Barilla website, 2 oz. of dry pasta have no vitamin A or C. However, this serving would satisfy 15 percent of the required amount of phosphorus and magnesium and 8 percent of the required iron.
Serving Suggestions
You can boost the vitamin and mineral content of a whole grain pasta meal by rounding out the meal with a salad or by lightly sauteing a variety of fresh vegetables and making pasta prima vera. Fresh fruit and cookies for deserts makes a healthy and tasty meal.
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