Which is Healthier?

Take a look at these two packages of “pasta”. While the packaging is slightly different – the top is the newer “Great Value” [Wal*Mart] package, and the bottom is the older packaging … there should be a greater difference.

Which is better? 

So, which would you choose as the “healthier” pasta? Angel Hair or Whole Wheat?

Now, we’re taught that "carbs" are bad, and to use as little pasta as we can – and when we do, choose healthier ones.

If that’s the case, let’s examine the numbers (from the back of the packaging):

                                      Angel Hair Pasta                            Whole Wheat    

Calories:                       200                                                    210

Calories (from fat):      10                                                      15

Cholesterol:                  0                                                        0

Sodium:                        0                                                        0

Potassium:                    105                                                   210

Total Carbohydrate:    41                                                     41

Vitamin A:                   0%                                                     0

Calcium:                       0%                                                    2%

Thiamin:                       35%                                                  NOT LISTED

Niacin:                          20%                                                  NOT LISTED

Vitamin C:                    0%                                                    0%

Iron:                              10%                                                  NOT LISTED

Riboflavin:                   15%                                                 NOT LISTED

Folic Acid:                    30%                                                  0%

Protein:                         7                                                        7

Nutritional label for the "Angel Hair" pasta my mom chose

Half of the "nutritional label" for the "whole wheat" thin spaghetti I chose

The other "half" of the "whole wheat" nutritional label

Since the box is “blue”, we know I didn’t switch it.

The “whole grain” doesn’t have values for Thiamin, Niacin, Iron or Riboflavin listed.  

In all fairness, I couldn’t find the “whole wheat” version of the Angel Hair, and don’t know if they had one. I’m looking for a way to “slowly” integrate healthier items into my diet. As opposed to eating the Angel Hair pasta my mom loves, I opted for “whole wheat” thin spaghetti. I just grabbed the box and tossed it into the shopping cart. When we fixed dinner Saturday evening … I discovered the “facts” about my choice.

Comparing these two boxes, it would be difficult to decide which is the healthiest for you – for the most part, one has just about less of everything. They're identical in price (per package), though the Angel Hair is 16oz for $1; whole wheat is 13.25oz for $1, so you're getting less "pasta" for the price. It's not like the “what weighs more” joke of ton of feathers or ton of bricks – both are still a ton. 

My overall impression (take it or leave it) is that the whole wheat thin spaghetti is no better for me than the angel hair pasta. 

The differences between the two?

Angel Hair has …

Calories wise:     10 less

Calories (fat)       5 less

Potassium:          Half as much (105 vs. 210)

Total Carbs:        Same

Calcium:             None (0% vs. 2%)

Thiamin:             Unknown (35% vs. NOT LISTED)

Niacin:                Unknown (20% vs. NOT LISTED

Iron:                     Unknown (10% vs. NOT LISTED

Riboflavin:         Unknown (15% vs. NOT LISTED

Folic Acid:          MUCH BETTER (30% vs. 0%)                         

Protein:               Same

It would appear (to me, at least) that there is no real difference between the two; there doesn't seem to be any additional nutritional benefits to eating the whole wheat thin spaghetti either, more potassium, and slightly more calcium ... but nothing to be excited about.

If the only benefit the whole wheat has is more potassium (or calcium), a supplement in the vitamin aisle could suffice or perhaps eating a fruit or vegetable with the equivalent.

As far as the taste – my mom couldn’t tell the difference between the Angel Hair and Whole Wheat, and she was skeptical about the purchase, but for an extra $1, it wasn’t bad. She thought we could use it as a back-up, but it wasn't worthy of a “steady item” purchase. She said if there weren’t any additional benefits, she still preferred the Angel Hair pasta. Can’t say I blame her. There is no difference in taste, and it doesn’t seem to be a “better” pasta for the price.

Like the cereal, just because something is being promoted as “better”, doesn’t mean it always is.

That’s now two things I’ve thought I was changing for the better – first the cereal, second the pasta. Hmm, this “eating better” is beginning to be a lot of research. Last time I had research like this I was in college, and that was 2 years ago – late in life student :)