Pasta is an ideal accompaniment to various dishes and in many cultures it is a staple food, consumed in a fair proportion it provides enough calories for a balanced diet.
The consumption of pasta provides carbohydrates to the diet, necessary to maintain optimal energy levels, save protein and regulate fat metabolism . Through these carbohydrates you provide energy to both the brain and the nervous system, so you should not eliminate them from your diet!
However, there are notable differences between the two types of pasta, due to the presence of bran that exists in whole wheat pasta, which normal pasta does not have. Let's see the consequences of this difference.
Differences between white pasta and whole wheat pasta
1. Presence of bran
Whole wheat pasta contains bran, which provides dietary fiber with a great benefit to intestinal function, since this characteristic allows you to avoid constipation while white pasta does not have this nutrient. The rest are derived from this difference.
2. Difference in the main nutrient it provides
There are three main forms of carbohydrates: sugars, starches and fibers.
White pasta primarily provides sugar, while whole wheat pasta primarily provides fiber.
3. Different contribution to overweight and obesity
Fiber is not converted into sugar molecules due to its inability to be broken down and passes through the body undigested. In this way, whole wheat pasta helps prevent overweight and obesity, on the contrary, white pasta, when converted into sugar, contributes to weight gain.
4. Assimilation of nutrients
Eating pasta produces ATP (adenosine triphosphate) energy, but its proper processing depends on the presence of vitamins and minerals. By consuming whole wheat pasta (a complex carbohydrate), vitamins and minerals are provided that facilitate this process, while white pasta, when transformed into sugar, requires the consumption of vitamins and minerals from other food sources for its correct process.
5. Difference in absorption rate
White pasta is quickly assimilated so you feel hungry in a short time, while whole wheat pasta is slow absorbed, which means that it provides energy slowly throughout the day, producing satiety, an ideal characteristic for weight control.
6. Difference in cooking and flavor
And last but not least there is a difference in cooking the pasta. Whole wheat pasta is prepared slightly differently than white pasta because it requires more cooking. Its flavor is also different; whole wheat pasta may be a little more tasteless, with the flavor and texture of white pasta being preferred in many cases.
As a consequence of the differences between white pasta and whole wheat pasta, it is also possible that whole wheat pasta allows you to reduce cholesterol levels and control insulin levels in the blood. So the next time you choose pasta, prefer whole wheat.
At Casa Perris we have different types of pasta, discover them here