comparing regular pasta, wraps, etc to whole wheat

So, the nutritional information for both pastas is identical. What makes the whole wheat better? I want to make chicken enchiladas and I was all ready to buy the whole wheat wraps, but I saw that it had more carbs than the white flour ones and the white flour ones had more fiber. (I'm not sure if the white flour ones were special fiber ones or not.) I'm trying to get into reading labels but I feel like I'm missing something.

Re: comparing regular pasta, wraps, etc to whole wheat

White pasta has a high glycemic index which means it gets absorbed more quickly into your body & spikes your blood sugar, making you hungrier faster. Whole wheat food has a lower glycemic index so it causes a slower rise in blood sugar without the crash, so you don't get hungry as fast. Also whole wheat foods generally have more fiber than white.

Message edited 4/20/2012 7:01:39 PM.

Re: comparing regular pasta, wraps, etc to whole wheat

Read the labels carefully. Make sure on the ingredient list is says "whole" wheat flour, not just wheat flour. There is a difference, and it will make a difference in the nutritional information.

Also, in line with what PP said: The glycemic-index rating for pasta is 55, while whole wheat pasta is 40. Comparatively, white rice is 82 and white bread is 100.