{"id":18741,"date":"2026-05-24T11:44:50","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T11:44:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/2026\/05\/24\/wait-is-pasta-actually-healthy-heres-the-truth-about-whole-grain-noodles-usa-today\/"},"modified":"2026-05-24T11:44:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T11:44:50","slug":"wait-is-pasta-actually-healthy-heres-the-truth-about-whole-grain-noodles-usa-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/2026\/05\/24\/wait-is-pasta-actually-healthy-heres-the-truth-about-whole-grain-noodles-usa-today\/","title":{"rendered":"Wait… is pasta actually healthy? Here's the truth about whole grain noodles – USA Today"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pasta<\/a> is one of the world\u2019s most beloved foods<\/a>, enjoyed in countless forms across cultures and cuisines. From creamy fettuccine Alfredo to hearty spaghetti with meat sauce, it shows up on kitchen tables and in fine-dining restaurants alike. The noodles<\/a> themselves are just as varied, with popular types like penne, linguine, rigatoni and farfalle each bringing their own texture and appeal.
But in recent years, many people have started looking for ways to make this classic comfort food more nutritious. One of the most sought-after options is whole grain pasta<\/a>.
\u201cWhole grain pasta is popular because it\u2019s satisfying, versatile, and pairs well with many healthy ingredients such as vegetables, beans, fish, tofu and lean proteins,\u201d says Lisa Young<\/a>, a registered dietitian, nutritionist, author of “Finally Full, Finally Slim” and adjunct professor of nutrition at New York University. \u201cIt\u2019s also a familiar comfort food that can make healthy eating feel more enjoyable and sustainable.\u201d
Here\u2019s what whole grain pasta is, how it can be good for you and why moderation still matters.
Whole grain pasta is made from flour that contains all parts of the grain kernel: the bran, germ and endosperm. \u201cWhen all three of these parts are included, the grain is considered \u2018whole,\u2019\u201d says Monica Kelly, a registered dietitian at Montefiore Health System in New York.
And this minimal processing is what distinguishes whole grain pasta from traditional white or refined pasta<\/a>, which is typically made from refined wheat flour that has been stripped of the bran and germ. “Because the entire grain is used, whole grain pasta tends to have a nuttier flavor, a firmer texture and a darker color than white pasta,\u201d Young says.
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She explains that whole grain pasta is typically made by combining whole wheat flour with water, then shaping and drying it just like traditional pasta. In fact, it can be made into virtually any pasta shape, from spaghetti and penne to rotini and fusilli.\u00a0
No matter what form it’s in, whole grain pasta delivers a range of beneficial nutrients that support overall health.
One of the most notable of these is dietary fiber<\/a> \u2212 something it contains a lot more of than refined pasta, because it contains all three parts of the grain. “Fiber supports digestive health, helps keep you feeling full longer and can help stabilize blood sugar levels,\u201d Young says.\u00a0
Beyond fiber, whole grain pasta is also “rich in B vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and folate<\/a>, which help our body turn food into energy, support brain and nerve function, and support healthy red blood cell production,\u201d Kelly says.
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Whole grain pasta also provides essential minerals like iron, which helps transport oxygen in the blood; zinc, \u201cwhich supports the immune system and helps wounds heal,\u201d Kelly says; and magnesium<\/a>, which, she adds, \u201chelps muscles and nerves work properly.\u201d It also contains selenium, which helps protect cells from damage and supports thyroid function.
Whole grains also contain naturally occurring plant compounds and antioxidants “that contribute to overall health and may help reduce inflammation,\u201d Young adds.
While such nutrients mean whole grain pasta is considered a healthier alternative to refined pasta, it\u2019s still important to consume it in moderation.
One reason is because whole grain pasta is high in calories, so large portions can contribute to excess intake and unwanted weight gain<\/a> over time. And even though whole grain pasta has a gentler impact on blood sugar than white pasta, \u201cit\u2019s still a carbohydrate,\u201d Kelly says, so people trying to manage blood sugar levels<\/a> should also be mindful of portion sizes.
And some other individuals may need to approach whole grain pasta with extra caution. \u201cBecause whole grain pasta is made from wheat, it contains gluten,\u201d Young says, so people with gluten-related disorders, such as celiac disease<\/a> or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, should avoid it unless a version is specifically labeled gluten-free.
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Additionally, those with certain digestive conditions may find whole grain pasta more difficult to tolerate, particularly if introduced too quickly, due to its high-fiber content. For the same reason, \u201csomeone with IBS<\/a> might find whole grain pasta especially challenging, particularly during flare-ups,\u201d Kelly says.
That said, whole grain pasta can absolutely have a place in everyday eating for most people when approached thoughtfully. \u201cWhole grain pasta is a great example of how carbohydrates can be both nourishing and satisfying,\u201d Young says. \u201cAnd when you keep portions sensible and pair it with vegetables and lean protein, it can absolutely be part of a healthy, balanced diet.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Pasta is one of the world\u2019s most beloved foods, enjoyed in countless forms across cultures and cuisines. From creamy fettuccine Alfredo to hearty spaghetti with meat sauce, it shows up on kitchen tables and in fine-dining restaurants alike. The noodles themselves are just as varied, with popular types like penne, linguine, rigatoni and farfalle each […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18742,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18741","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18741","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18741"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18741\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18742"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18741"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18741"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18741"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}