Makers of pasta and bagels are jumping on the whole-grain bandwagon after the recent release of the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The response from Pepperidge Farms is a line of 100 percent whole wheat bagels and 100 percent whole wheat Mini Bagels. Thomas' English muffins and bagels will, "make your morning shine". They have 4 varieties at around 110 calories per muffin or bagel.

Lenders offers 100 percent whole wheat bagel rolls in the frozen aisle of most supermarkets. They're called "Whole Wheat Frozen New York Style Bagels". Due to the success of Lender’s introduction of the 100 percent Whole Wheat flavor to their line of Fresh bagels, the new 100 percent Whole Wheat Frozen New York Style flavor will replace Wheat Frozen New York Style bagels. Lender's Whole Wheat bagel offers a nutritional advantage over white and wheat by offering six grams of fiber per serving.

Barilla is introducing a new category of multigrain pasta that looks like traditional pasta but is made from semolina, oats, spelt, barley, flaxseeds, lentils and chickpeas.

Whole grains contain hundreds of phytonutrients that appear to work together in powerful ways with the fiber and other nutrients to protect against chronic diseases like heart disease, certain cancers and diabetes.

Pasta Notes

If it's difficult for you to find whole grain pasta in your local grocery store, most specialty and health food stores have a burgeoning supply. Try DeCecco, DeBoles, or Eden whole wheat spaghetti or linguine. They are less chewy and gritty. DeBoles adds some Jerusalem artichoke to lighten its texture. Some people find that whole grain pastas taste better with sauces that go beyond the usual tomato.

You can also try pasta made of spelt or kamut, two ancient whole grains that are making a comeback. They're relatives of wheat, but are well tolerated by wheat-sensitive people.

For more information, read our article, Whole Grains.

Expect whole-grain to be the next big trend in new food products.

See also: Healthy Pasta Recipe Collection

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