Last weekend, my husband and I went grocery shopping together like we normally do. As we were wandering the store isles, checking off items from our list, my husband noticed a new type of pasta that neither of us had ever tried. I remember reading on A Better Bag of Groceries that Barilla Plus pasta scored higher than most, but I just figured store-bought pastas basically scored the same on the NuVal scale. Even still, I tossed a box into our shopping cart.
When it was time to cook our pasta dinner, we went all out! The meal included Barilla Plus Angel Hair Pasta, marinara sauce, grated Parmesan cheese, sautéed mushrooms, and homemade garlic bread. Besides the mushrooms, dinner wasn’t the most nutritional meal, but I was surprised to learn just how high the Barilla Plus Angel Hair Pasta scored on the NuVal scale.
It turns out that Barilla Plus Angel Hair Pasta scores a 91! Who knew? This is a much better score than the regular Barilla Angel Hair Pasta, which scores a 61. I’m so glad that I decided to trade up! 
So, why does the Barilla Plus score so high? Basically, it comes down to better nutrition.
Here’s the nutrition fact panel for Barilla Plus Pasta:
Not too shabby, right?
Moral of the story: Not all pastas are created equally! 
Introducing Nutrition Outlook
NuVal is thrilled to announce their newest blog: Nutrition Outlook, written by NuVal Registered Dietitian, Annette Maggi. Annette’s goal with her blog “is to get you to think about nutrition as it stands today, and to think about the subject of what you eat more broadly, more comprehensively. My goal is to connect the dots for you, and make healthy food more of a reality and a joy in your life.” Be sure to check it out!
Trading Up Downtown Giveaway
Thanks to everyone who entered! I loved reading all of your money-saving tips– I’m definitely going to “steal” some of them!
Here’s your winner: 116
- 116. Amy, on January 26th, 2010 at 4:20 pm Said: I have my grocery store’s weekly circular e-mailed to me, so every week when I get it, I plan my weekly meals based on the produce that’s on sale. It saves a lot of money, particularly during the winter months when produce is at it’s most expensive.
Congrats, Amy! Please email me at thaupert@nuval.com with your full name and mailing address.
Developed by an independent panel of nutrition and medical experts, the 
that is really interesting!
That is a great tip! I don’t get the circulars, but I’m going to start checking them online first. Thanks for the tip Amy! And thanks for the pasta tip Tina!
I love pasta and Barilla Plus is one of my favorites!
That’s the kind of pasta I remember seeing my mom using. I still prefer whole grain but it’s comforting to know her choice is so nutritious
Have you tried dreamfield’s pasta….very low carb and it tastes great! I found it when my DH was diagnosed with diabetes….:)
I’d like to know what the ingredients are. They don’t list them (that I see) on their website. I’m trying to stick with Michael Pollan’s short ingredient list recommendation they I am often conflicted between regular items and “enhanced” ones. I hate to think of all the chemicals they had to add to this.
i love this post! barilla is SO GREAT, i really enjoy all of their stuff!
So glad to know this about Barilla plus! I use Barilla whole grain usually, but I just found a coupon for the plus variety. Can’t wait to try it!
Hooray… I’ve been eating this pasta for a little while now! I had no clue I was eating such a NuVal winner this whole time
I use this or pasta alternatives like spaghetti squash or tofu shiratake noodles.
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