Pasta can be incorporated into your diet either as a side dish or as part of the main dish for both lunch and dinner. Although some people find whole grain pasta somewhat grainy and chewy, FitDay notes, this type of pasta has many nutritional benefits not found in pasta made with refined grains.
Whole Grains
Pasta can be made either from whole grains or from refined grains. Refined grains have been processed to remove parts of the grain known as the bran and the germ. The bran is the outer covering of the grain, and the germ is the part of the seed where the new plant would sprout. Both the bran and the germ portions of grain are rich in nutrients.
Calories
One serving of Barilla Whole Grain Penne Pasta, which consists of 2 oz. of pasta, contains 200 calories. Of those calories, 15 come from the 1.5 g of fat, the Barilla website notes. Approximately 30 of the calories come from the 7 g of protein found in each serving of Barilla Whole Grain Penne Pasta. The remaining calories come from the 41 g of carbohydrates in a serving.
Vitamins
Pasta is not generally very rich in vitamins and minerals, but Barilla Whole Wheat Penne Pasta does contain some important nutrients. Although one serving contains no significant amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C or calcium, each serving contains 8 percent of your recommended daily intake of iron. One serving of Barilla Whole Wheat Penne Pasta also provides 15 percent of the recommended daily allotment of phosphorus and magnesium.
Other Nutrients
Barilla's Whole Grain Penne Pasta does not contain any saturated or trans fats. It is also cholesterol and sodium free, though sauces or seasonings added to the pasta may contain these components. Whole grain pasta is also rich in fiber due to the presence of the bran and germ; each serving of Barilla Whole Grain pasta contains 6 g of dietary fiber and a relatively low 2 g of sugar.
Considerations
Carbohydrate-heavy foods such as pasta can be an important part of the diet, but they should be consumed only in moderation. This is especially true if you have diabetes, as carbohydrate consumption can result in increases in blood glucose levels. On the other hand, the extra fiber you get from whole grain pasta, as opposed to pasta made with refined grains, helps offset the increase in blood glucose a carbohydrate-heavy food can cause. High-fiber foods such as whole grain pasta can also help lower your cholesterol levels.
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