Whole Grain Pasta is Great, But ....
My Family Won't Eat It.

I agree that whole grain pasta is a better choice than refined white pasta and I believe that it is a great food to rotate into your regular diet. I have tried whole grain varieties and different brands many times.

Similarly, my kids are future submarine captains who possess internal whole grain pasta radar that activates the minute they see it coming on their plates. “Brown Pasta off the port bow. Repeat brown pasta off the port bow. Emergency. Emergency. Dive, Dive.”

But there are new varieties and brands coming on the market, and I will keep trying them until I find one that won’t sink our battleship. The newer varieties do have a smoother texture, and they are worth tasting. I am warming up to the Barilla Whole Grain pastas.

It is important to remember that whole grains do not equal fiber. They each have their separate benefits. Whole grain can help reduce the risk of heart disease, some types of cancer, and Type-2 diabetes.

Fiber maintains the health of the digestive tract. It also lowers the risk of certain cancers, heart disease, and diabetes. It helps control the appetite, making you feel full longer after you eat.

Until I find a whole grain variety and brand my family loves, I add some type of fiber-filled vegetable with our pasta. Eating fiber with your pasta helps you feel full longer because the fiber keeps your blood sugar stable longer.

High fiber vegetables to add to your pasta include: Broccoli, carrots, green peas, spinach, peppers, and squash

Quick Pasta Primavera

Sauté vegetables such as broccoli, zucchini, and carrots in olive oil and garlic and add them to plain marinara sauce.

Heat all ingredients and pour over pasta.

Bell Pepper and Spinach Pasta

Sauté red bell peppers and toss in fresh spinach until it wilts.

Add tomato sauce and heat until sauce is warm.

Pour over pasta.

I am a personal fan of Barilla pasta which contains some fiber, even in its regular varieties. It seems to be the only variety of spaghetti I can cook without having it stick together. Somehow, Wednesday shouldn't be sticky lumpy spaghetti night, even at my house.

Return from Whole Grain Pasta to What to Eat