Whole Wheat Pastas

[donleyk]

I read a thread that touched on whole wheat pastas.... And I am confused. I have seen packages that state enriched durham wheat and 100% durham wheat product. Obviously, as long as it says enriched it isn't what I am looking for, but is 100% durham wheat WHOLE WHEAT pasta? Thanks in advance for the clarifacation.

[Grace]

Hi Donleyk

It is confusing. Unfortunately, "enriched" only means they've somehow added (usually sprayed) some extra vitamins onto the pasta (because they took out all the natural nutrients in the refining process). Even if your pasta says 100% durum wheat, it is still refined durum wheat. For something to be whole grain, it has to say the word "whole" in the ingredient list. For example, if you look at a lot of "wheat" bread in the bread aisle, unless it says 100% WHOLE wheat, it is still nothing but regular old refined white flour, which they sometimes color brown just to trick people. "Regular" flour comes from regular wheat, which is why they can call it 100% wheat, it's just been refined and is no longer "whole". I hope that helps and doesn't confuse you more!

You can always check the fiber content too if you're still unsure. Most regular pasta has 1 gram or less of fiber, while whole wheat pasta has 5 or 6 grams of fiber (per serving). I think it tastes just as good as regular pasta, too.

[This message has been edited by Grace (edited 03-26-2001).]

[donleyk]

Grace,

That helps. I stand there staring at the packages and just give up! Bread is a lot easier! I know to look for 100% whole wheat. The trouble I have with pastas is, it seems, the only ingredient list is durham wheat... it doesn't list that it is enriched, but it is an import and may not have to?!?!?! I think I will just try to stick with Hodgson Mill products. There just isn't much variety in my location.

Any other comments are welcomed!!

[Grace]

Yeah, donley, I know. It has taken me many years, even living in a big city, to find a wide variety of whole wheat pastas. You simply won't find them in the regular pasta aisle. I have found the ones from Hodgson Mill, and Trader Joes sometimes sells it too (although it seems they don't always carry it). If you have a Whole Foods Market or something similar, or any health food store, they too might carry some different varieties. When I find it, I usually buy a lot of it, since it basically keeps forever. Good luck in your search, and maybe one day, if enough of us are demanding it, whole wheat pasta will take up more space than the regular refined stuff! (Ok, I know I'm dreaming!) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[emilycat]

donleyk,

One thing you can look for with pastas is the color -- typically if they're whole wheat, the color will be some shade of brown. But I agree with Grace about keying in on the fiber content. Whole wheat pastas will always have between 5 and 7 grams per serving, so you should be safe looking there. I use Hodgson Mills, too, but Whole Foods has a couple of brands that are great, too. I can find virtually any shape and size I want, and I love them http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[donleyk]

I found a company on the web, Sugar Free Kitchen, that carries quite a few of the Hodgson Mill WW pastas. I am going to try the "diet" section of my grocery and if that doesn't work I will order from them. I am envious, Emilycat, variety of shapes and sizes is important to me. It drives my DH crazy!!

[emilycat]

Actually, whole wheat pastas don't have any more calories than refined pastas, and sometimes even less (most of mine do) -- and because they have so much extra fiber, they help you to feel more satisfied with a smaller serving. (or maybe that's just me http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif )

And no, buckwheat noodles are not whole wheat...they're a bit better for you than the stuff of semolina flour, but the fiber content falls quite a bit short of that of whole wheat pasta.

[Searcher]

One of my sons-in-law is a manager at a large grocery chain and he's told me time and again that if I want something that I don't see in the store to talk to the manager, or grocery manager (produce manager, dairy, where ever the product is kept, if the store manager isn't available) to stock the item for me. I was suprised to find out how willing most of them are to help. They don't want to lose a single customer and will bend over backward to help you find what you want. Try to know the complete product name and the manufacturer if you can.

[Grace]

One more thing, Donleyk, Hodgson Mills has its own website, where you can order from directly. Probably cheaper than ordering from a middleman who will most likely mark up the price to include a little profit for himself (but that's not for sure, so you can check both sites first and compare prices).

Here is the link: www.hodgsonmill.com (http://www.hodgsonmill.com)

[This message has been edited by Grace (edited 03-26-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Grace (edited 03-26-2001).]

[Ohioan]

Ah, Grace, you beat me to it! Yes, I've had some of the Hodgson Mills whole wheat pastas, and they're very good. Also, for anyone who has a good health food supermarket in your area (Wild Oats, etc.), look for the Bionaturae brand of whole wheat pasta, which is the best I've tried. (Hint to mlou to keep ordering it in her store. The spaghetti is great, but where are the spirals?)

Cheers,
Phoebe

[emilycat]

Phoebe,

I love the Bionaturae brand -- it's what Whole Foods sells here -- I love having it available in all those different shapes!

[Jewel]

One other avenue to search...try a supermarket in your area that has a 'bulk foods' section. I'm in the Pacific Northwest, and QFC (Kroger), Safeway, Top Foods, Mega Foods and Fred Meyer stores always carry whole wheat pastas in their bulk section. It's also cheaper that way!

I made the transition to whole wheat pastas about a year ago, and the only one I can't stand is Macaroni. Maybe it's just that one particular batch I had, but the texture was very grainy, and it wasn't smooth like the others. I use whole wheat penne, fettucine, bowties, and spirals!

Also, I think maybe CL doesn't feature it as much because it's a bit heavier, and isn't there also more calories in Whole Wheat pasta? If they're trying to keep the calories down, that may be one of the reasons. Still, I'd love to see more recipes! They feature Soba (buckwheat) noodles quite often!

[BethH]

Are soba noodles 'whole wheat'? How much fiber do they have?

I buy mine at an asian market and couldn't read the nutritional information on the back if I tried! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif Thanks.

[donleyk]

Thanks Grace and Phoebe! I meant to do exactly that. I may just order there, rather than checking the grocery and finding only half of what I want.

Phoebe, you're here in Columbus, if I recall, what store(s) do you have the most luck with finding healthy foods?

[Ohioan]

donleyk - As I recall (or am I mixing you up with someone else?), you're in the NW part of Columbus, so the Lane Avenue Wild Oats in Upper Arlington might be a good source for you -- although they don't carry the Bionaturae brand. If you want to come over east to Bexley, try the Bexley Natural Food Market (or "the Co-Op," as we regulars call it) on N. Cassady, a few blocks north of Maryland Ave. (Mary Lou, can you give better directions?) That's where I get the Bionaturae pasta -- and very good free-range all-natural eggs.

Cheers,
Phoebe

[donleyk]

Thanks Phoebe! Bexley isn't too far. Maybe when I am in the neighborhood.

I did order WW pasta from the Hodgson site. They even have WW bow tie pasta! I'm livin' large!

[Beth]

Has anyone tried making fresh whole wheat pasta?