Trade-Up Tuesday: Barilla Plus Pasta
Welcome to Trade-Up Tuesday – a weekly feature on my new blog where I fill you in on one of my trade-ups and ask you to tell me how you’re trading up for better nutrition.
This week, I introduce you to Barilla Plus Multi-Grain Pasta, which gets an amazing NuVal score of 91. That’s incredible when you realize that the median NuVal score for pasta (half are above, half are below) is a 52. For example, Prince Spaghetti gets a 49. Now, let me just admit right here that it took me some time to try out Barilla Plus. I had tried some whole wheat pastas in the past and they just didn’t do it for me. Also, since I was so used to thinking about foods in terms of calories & fat alone (and not in terms of total nutrition), I figured I would just stick with regular old pasta.
I have two people to thank for finally making the switch. First, I remember having dinner with our friends, Pete and Heather, last winter. Heather is a fabulous cook and is known for sneaking vegetables into some of her kids’ favorites. Pete is a super-healthy long-distance runner who posts Lance Armstrong-like times during marathons. Pete is a huge fan of NuVal and he chooses some very high-scoring foods. While out for this dinner, he said to me, “So, I assume you’re eating Barilla Plus.” Well, I wasn’t. And I felt a little guilty about it. I mean, I worked for NuVal and I was learning all this great new information about different foods, but I wasn’t “living” NuVal.
Soon after, I met Shari Steinbach, MS, RD, Healthy Living Manager for Meijer supermarkets.
We were conducting webinars together, training sessions for all of the store associates at Meijer, who would soon be implementing NuVal. She mentioned Barilla Plus, it’s high score and also offered up that it tasted just like regular pasta. It was enough to make me try it. And I’ve never gone back.
Today’s GiveAway
Today, I’m giving away my Barilla Pasta Trade-Up Package – which comes complete with a red colander and a NuVal water bottle. To enter, just leave a comment and tell me about a trade up you’ve made since learning about NuVal. And if you haven’t traded up yet, check out www.NuVal.com and find a trade up you’d like to make. The contest closes at 11:59 pm November 24th. I can’t wait to hear from you!
Posted by: Melissa 63 comments
Posted in: Barilla Plus, Pasta, Trade-Up Tuesday
Tags: Barilla Plus, Pasta
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 7:35 am
I switched to Shredded Wheat after seeing its amazing score! Thanks for the great giveaway.
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 8:29 am
This one isn’t for me but my husband – since I do the shopping… I have switched him to the Kashi Oatmeal Cookies from the ones he used to eat
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 8:38 am
I went shopping at my local Meijer the other day and they didn’t have NuVal Scores (yet, I’m hoping they show up soon!).
So, I wasn’t able to do any NuVal trading up… BUT! I did put the big package of scones (of which I would have eaten them all myself) away and instead split an ice cream sandwich with my boyfriend. Not sure what the NuVal scores of either would be, but I was rather proud of that!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 8:51 am
My cereal selections are FAR healthier!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Definitely learning to appreciate whole wheat products and their impact on my health and satiety thanks to Nuval!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 9:35 am
I’m working to incorporate more of the NuVal superstars: Vegetables into my diet. Especially one of my long-forgotten favorites: Brussel Sprouts!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 9:48 am
I have always eaten brown rice, I love it. I am getting my hubs to eat it now. We also made a barley mushroom soup. I love whole grains. Nuval is awesome!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 9:53 am
I’m trying to eat as MANY veggies as possible. My newest trade up is carrots for potato chips (I know, I know) for a lunch side. Carrots aren’t my favorite thing, but they keep me full and the crunch satisfies that potato chip urge!!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 10:08 am
My trade up would be incorporating a fruit or veggie into each of my meals to help make sure I am getting all my servings. I haven’t heard of Nuval score but am excited for it to come to my grocery!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 10:10 am
Over the weekend, I bought Kashi’s TLC oatmeal raisin walnut and dark chocolate whole grain cookies–the kind of the cookie world
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 10:31 am
I also have traded up for Barilla plus pasta. I’m looking forward to trying the TLC oameal cookies as well.
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Not exactly a trade-up, but I have been ADDING blueberries to my smoothies since they score 100!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by MelisaNutrition: Pasta Give-Away on A Better Bag of Groceries today! http://tinyurl.com/yc8bqv3...
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 10:50 am
What a cool website! I’ve traded up by eating more protein and veggies and a whole lot less starchy foods. Thanks for the giveaway.
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 10:55 am
I traded up the OJ I was buying for the house to the higher scoring Tropicana!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 11:09 am
This is my first time reading your blog and I like it! Since this is my first time reading your blog I have not traded up (yet) based on the Nuval score. However, I’m going to try this Barilla plus pasta and if it is as good as you say it is, this will for sure be my trade up!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 11:13 am
For thanksgiving I’m definitely going to be trading up Betty Crocker butter & herb instant potato mix for the Idahoan regular mashed instant potato mix.
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 11:48 am
I traded up to the Idahoan instant mix rather than the Betty Crocker mix. I saw it on the site a few days ago. I tried it and tastes just as good! Thanks!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 11:55 am
I’ve been trying to eat more seafood: looks like I’ll be trading more shrimp in place of the lobster and scallops that I love!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Rachel – Please tell me what store you shopped at so that I can alert Meijer that they were missing some scores. Thank you!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
How cool! The biggest trade I have made thanks to NuVal is the cereal I keep stocked in the house. Sad to see some of my favorites so low down!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
I feel better about spending money on fresh fruit, especially berries, and vegetables such as red, yellow and orange peppers after realizing how good they are for me. I find it easier to pay a bit more for quality foods that help my family fight off infection and colds with NuVal affirming that these are the best choices.
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
I’ve traded up hamburger for ground turkey. I don’t can’t even tell a difference when it’s mixed into pasta or soups.
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
I’ve been following Nuval even though it’s not available in NJ yet. I was just browsing the sight to get an idea for a high scoring cracker and will be trading up to Ryvita Rye & Oat Bran Whole Grain Rye Crispbread (87!) on my next grocery shop!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Since finding out about NuVal system, I have changed the cereal, pasta, and ground turkey breast for my family!! I really hope I win this contest as it will be my first ever!!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I recently tried a whole wheat pasta and liked it. I usually stick to the ones that are 1/2 ww. I’ll have to try the Barilla!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
I stopped buying cereal and switched to wheat bran to add to my oatmeal and I’m eyeing up shredded wheat. One ingredient!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Whole grain bread instead of white or multigrain bread!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
I quit drinking orange juice for breakfast and started eating an orange instead. I also switched from 2% milk to skim milk.
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
I recently traded our wheat bread to the Nature’s Own Whole Wheat bread. I usually don’t like the 100% whole wheat bread but this one is good.
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
I just tried Barilla Plus Multi grain pasta in a favorite dish this past weekend. It was awesome!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
I traded up from Hershey’s milk chocolate bar (Score of 57) to Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Bar (Score of 78).
YUM!!!!
I also find that I only eat a couple of squares of the dark chocolate, versus at least 1/2 bar of the milk chocolate.
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Oh, Lynette, if only chocolate got such great scores! I would be the happiest woman alive!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
My trade up was from Multi Grain Cheerios to Shredded Wheat. I thought the Cheerios would have scored high, but Shredded Wheat is much higher and I love the taste!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
I switched to kashi cookies. I love the dark chocolate and the oatmeal rasin flaxseed.
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
I also switched to shredded wheat after seeing it’s score! Cereals are tough!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
i switched to dark chocolate! i think it was almost 20 points higher!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
trying to dedicate every morning to green monsters! love veggies in AM
my switch was from packaged cooked brown rice to actually making my own from whole grains like barley, lentil, quinoa
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
I haven’t traded up yet but the next time I
need a salty snack I will turn to the garden of eating blue corn chips
over my beloved baked lays!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
I switched to Kashi TLC cookies. The oatmeal ones are so good!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Wheat pasta! Even got my boyfriend off the white stuff;-)
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I have traded in greek yogurt with the fruit mixed in for plain greek yogurt and I add my own mix-in’s…like fresh fruit and nuts… Less sugar and artificial stuff!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
I’ve traded up my bread and my cookies.
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I switched from sweetened yogurts to greek yogurt!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
I traded up by eating whole grain oatmeal for breakfast instead of instant!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
I’ve switched to WW pasta, brown rice, and barley in place of processed grains. Love the chew and fullness!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
i traded in my light and fit yogurt for greek! yumm!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
I have traded up a greek yogurt for sweet yogurt – and dark chocolate for milk chocolate in baking!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
I have tried to reduce my consumption of all packaged foods and instead focus on eating fruits and vegetables for snacks.
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
I switched to whole grain pastas instead of regular pasta! I am a huge pasta addict so this has made a big difference in my eating!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
I just started exploring the NuVal website today and am finding some interesting information. I’ll probably start ‘trading up’ my bread and cold cereal choices first!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
I’ve traded up from instant oatmeal to minute oatmeal
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
I’ve traded up from kashi strawberry fields to special k protein plus!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
I’m going to get kashi oatmeal cookies!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
I’ve traded up to steel cut oats from quick cooking oatmeal.
on Nov 25th, 2009 at 12:04 am
I have been trying to include more fresh veggies to my meals. I love putting spinach, zucchini, and yellow squash into my eggs. I also have replaced veggies for my pasta, but maybe I can include some barilla plus too!
on Nov 25th, 2009 at 7:12 am
I have traded up to Barilla pasta.With a family member newly diagnosed with diabetes , this seems to be a better choice .
on Nov 25th, 2009 at 7:50 am
Cool giveaway!
on Nov 25th, 2009 at 9:00 am
the nuval website is so cool! i trade up i have made is using whole wheat flour whenever possible instead of white.
on Nov 25th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Using Whole Wheat flour in place of white flour whenever possible and loading up on the veggies!!
on Nov 25th, 2009 at 11:43 am
I’ve traded up to shredded wheat! I love the website. Thank you!
on Nov 25th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Great website! I’ve switched to Kashi cereals.
on Nov 25th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
I switched from regular ketchup to an organic one sweetened w/ agave nectar.