Barilla wheat pasta, also known as Barilla Whole Grain pasta, is a pasta made from a blend of whole durum wheat flour, semolina, durum wheat flour and oat fiber. Unlike regular pasta, which is typically 100% semolina or durum wheat flour, Barilla wheat pasta is made with 51% whole wheat flour and offers the benefits of whole grain. It has more fiber than its enriched counterpart, while being naturally high in B vitamins. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that half of all the grains you eat should be whole grain.
Carbohydrates and Fiber
One 2 oz. serving of Barilla wheat pasta contains 200 calories, including 41 g of carbohydrates and 6 g of fiber. Barilla whole wheat pasta is a better source of fiber than pasta made from only refined flour. To demonstrate, one 2 oz. serving of spaghetti made from enriched semolina flour contains 210 calories but only 1.2 g of fiber. The fiber in Barilla wheat pasta comes from the whole wheat durum flour and the added oat fiber.
Protein and Fat
One 2 oz. serving of Barilla wheat pasta contains 7 g of protein and 1.5 g of fat. In comparison, one 2 oz. serving of regular spaghetti made from semolina flour contains 7 g of protein and less than 1 gram of fat. Pasta is naturally a low-fat food, with the exception of stuffed pasta shells, which can be filled with cheese, meat, or vegetables.The fat in Barilla wheat pasta comes from the wheat germ and is comprised of unsaturated fats.
Vitamins and Minerals
Because Barilla wheat pasta is 51% whole wheat flour, it is naturally high in B vitamins, iron, and other nutrients found within the germ of the wheat kernel. In fact, you can get as much as 8% of your daily iron needs in one 2 oz serving of this pasta. It is also a good source of phosphorous and magnesium, providing 15% of the recommended daily allowance for these minerals in one 2 oz. serving.
Variety
Barilla whole grain pasta comes in six shapes, including whole grain linguine, medium shells, penne, rotini, spaghetti, and thin spaghetti. All the varieties have the same calories and nutrients per 2 oz. serving.
Whole Grains Defined
Grains are comprised of kernels or endosperm surrounded by a germ and bran. It is the germ and bran that naturally contain important B vitamins, fiber, protein, and fats. The endosperm contains the starch or carbohydrates. Whole durum wheat flour is made by grinding the complete durum grain into a flour, without removing the germ or bran. Manufacturers refine the grain by removing these parts to extend the shelf life of the flour and give it a fine texture. Refined grains include white flour, white rice, white bread, degermed cornmeal and pearled barley.
Considerations
Whole grains and whole grain blends take longer to cook than their refined counterparts. Regular spaghetti cooks in 6 to 9 minutes, whereas Barilla wheat pasta must be boiled for 12 to 15 minutes.
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