Road Test: Whole Wheat & Multigrain Pasta

Pasta lovers rejoice! The anti-carb craze is waning, and after years of collecting dust on grocery shelves, pasta is back in a big way. Even better news? As long as you're picking up the whole-grain variety, it's healthier than ever. Whole wheat pasta, whether it's made with flour or durum, has almost three times more fiber than regular pasta. Besides lowering your risk of heart disease and diabetes, foods that are high in fiber fill you up faster, meaning you'll eat fewer calories ‑- potentially helping you lose weight. But no matter how healthy it is, pasta has to be good for your taste buds, too. So, we scoured our health food stores and supermarkets and asked our testers to dish on everything from how they prepared their enriched-grain penne to how full they felt after a helping of whole wheat fusilli.

Product Name: Eden Organic Pasta Company's 100 Percent Whole Grain Kamut Spirals
Claim: Eden says the flavor and character of the grain is evident in its organic pasta. The company claims its pasta enhances energy, balance, clarity and well being, while also providing heart healthy, whole grain goodness.
Tester says: "Pasta that's good for you? I was sold before I snipped open the package. I've been eating whole wheat pasta for about two years. Although it was an easy transition, I've always felt that the texture of whole wheat pasta just isn't as delectable as the real thing. It is a little tough for my taste. So, I was eager to try something new. After just 10 minutes of prep time, I sat down with my heaping bowl of spirals, which were covered in a light marina sauce. My verdict? They were tender and tasty ‑- something I hadn't found in any other brand I had sampled. Bottom line? Eden's spirals are a paradise for your palate."
Price: $2.57 per box
Available Local grocery store or EdenFoods.com

Product Name: Hodgson Mills Organic Whole Wheat Fettuccine with Milled Flaxseed
Claim: Hodgson Mill says it makes its organic pasta with 100 percent whole wheat durum and then adds its own specially milled flaxseed that contains already-broken-down, heart-healthy omega-3 oils.
Tester says: "Always looking for ways to increase my fiber intake, I made the switch to whole grain pasta years ago. This one is my favorite by far. Some whole grain pastas have an almost metallic aftertaste, but this one is great all the way through. Compared to conventional pasta, whole wheat will always be grainier in texture, but it's like making the switch from white to wheat bread. Once you adjust to the difference, you see no reason to go back. Now I like the denser, chewier feel. I also love that I'm getting both my fiber and omega 3s. I usually throw a package of frozen chopped spinach in the microwave, mix it with red sauce, fresh garlic and olive oil and then toss it all in with the pasta. I'm lazy when it comes to cooking meat, so I'm glad this has nine grams of protein per serving. It doesn't take a ton of this stuff to fill me up, and happily, it keeps me full for hours."
Price: $2.15 per box
Available: Local grocery store or HodgsonMill.com

Product Name: Bionaturae Organic Whole Wheat Pasta
Claim: Available in nine varieties, Bionaturae Organic Whole Wheat Pasta has a nutty flavor that is neither gritty nor grainy and works well with any recipe, the company claims.
Tester says: "I usually don't eat pasta as a meal in and of itself ‑- usually just as a side dish with dinner. I had some leftover Greek chicken with red sauce, so I boiled up some Bionaturae organic spaghetti to serve alongside. I boiled it for 10 minutes and found the consistency perfect. The flavor was a tad strong (being 100 percent whole durum wheat). I would recommend serving this hearty pasta with a sweeter, cheesy white sauce as opposed to a tangy tomato-based sauce, and try it once you've acquired a taste for whole wheat pastas. You might not enjoy this all-natural brand if you're a whole-wheat-pasta virgin."
Price: $2.99 per box
Available: Local grocery store or Bionaturae.com

Product Name: Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Whole Wheat Blend Pasta
Claim: Ronzoni says its Healthy Harvest pasta combines durum wheat semolina, wheat bran and fiber for pasta that cooks lighter than other brands and has a taste and texture the entire family will love.
Tester says: "I was a little skeptical of my wheat pasta because I was afraid it would taste thick and grainy ‑- but I couldn't have been more wrong. It did have a taste, which surprised me at first, until I realized it tasted delicious. The flavor really added oomph to my typically boring spaghetti and sauce. I tried it without sauce, too (just a touch of butter and salt), and again it was fantastic. Plus, it was filling so I ate less ‑- always a good thing!"
Price: $1.99 per box
Available: Local grocery store or HealthyHarvestPasta.com

Product Name: Barilla Plus Penne
Claim: Barilla says its new line of enriched multigrain pastas provides a good source of fiber, protein and ALA omega-3 fatty acids for a nutritionally balanced meal.
Tester says: "I'm usually not much of a pasta gal, because I find I need to eat massive quantities to make any kind of dent in my appetite. So I was hoping Barilla Plus, which claims to be fortified with extra fiber and protein, would keep me full longer... and it actually did! I only needed one cup (and a little soup on the side) for a satisfying dinner. And the taste and texture were indistinguishable from regular penne, though these noodles did take a bit longer to soften up than their carbo-loaded counterparts. Just make sure to note that this is not a true whole wheat pasta, even though it is enriched with good-for-you nutrients."
Price: $1.43 per box
Available: Local grocery store or Barilla.com

Product name: De Cecco Whole Wheat Fusilli
Claim: De Cecco says its wholemeal pasta is made using its own special system that enables it to preserve all of the fiber qualities.
Tester says: "Yum! I wasn't sure how whole wheat would work in pasta, but this stuff actually tastes good. Don't expect traditional white flour pasta ‑- the flavor is a bit nutty. It cooks up the same as regular pasta but seemed to stay slightly firmer, which is great if you're a fan of your pasta al dente. I was also excited to see that each serving has seven grams of fiber and only 1.5 grams of fat. I served it with a nice marinara that went well with the robust flavor of the pasta. No question, this will stay in my menu rotation."
Price: $1.99 per box
Available: Local grocery store or DeCeccoUSA.com