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Protein is essential for healthy muscle growth and development, body tissue repair, and as a source of nutrient-dense calories. The majority of high quality protein in Barilla PLUS is derived from the multi-grain and legume flour, as well as egg whites.
This combination of protein-rich ingredients means Barilla PLUS delivers 17 grams of protein per one uncooked cup, which is over 40-percent more than traditional pasta. Lentils and chickpeas, both commonly used Mediterranean legumes, were specifically selected for use in the PLUS recipe.
In
addition to providing protein, legumes are a good way to incorporate both soluble* and insoluble* fiber and an array of micronutrients into your diet. Other sources of protein, such as small amounts of meat, chicken, fish or cheese may be added for taste and enjoyment, but Barilla PLUS can nutritionally stand on its own, lightly tossed with olive oil or butter.
Protein Quality Counts
The quality of protein in the diet is just as important as getting enough protein. Protein-containing foods are ranked on a “quality index” with egg whites typically considered the gold standard with a ranking of 1.00. A high-quality protein food means that essential amino acids, the building blocks of protein which must be supplied by food, are readily available in that food. Because Barilla PLUS contains high-quality protein ingredients, such as chickpeas, lentils and egg whites, it far exceeds whole-wheat and regular pasta in terms of protein quality, and very nearly reaches the quality level of beef.
