Amaranth vs Pasta: How To Choose?

Amaranth and pasta belong to the grains food group, one of the staple food groups for people on a plant-based diet.

Grains and grain products are an affordable source of carbohydrates, as well as essential vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins (such as thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin), iron, and zinc, minerals that are usually harder to get on a plant-based diet.

They also provide a small amount of protein and healthy fats.

However, it is important to note that whole grains are generally a better source of these nutrients than refined grains.

This article will thoroughly compare amaranth and pasta and help you learn more about their similarities and differences.

Amaranth

Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is a group of annual plants that are native to Central and South America.

It is a good source of carbohydrates, dietary fibers, and small amounts of vitamins and minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, and B vitamins. It is also gluten-free and easy to digest, making it a great option for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Amaranth is an ancient grain that has been used for centuries in traditional cuisine and has a nutty and slightly earthy flavor. It can be used as a side dish, added to soups and stews, ground into flour and used in baking, or popped like popcorn. It is also a valuable food source for people in its native regions, particularly in Mexico and Peru.

Amaranth is considered a functional food, as it has been shown to have a positive impact on health when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet. It is also a sustainable crop, as it is drought-tolerant and can be grown in poor soil conditions.

Amaranth is an excellent source of Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin C, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin E.

Pasta

Pasta is a traditional Italian food made from wheat flour and water. The most common types of pasta include spaghetti, macaroni, linguine, and fettuccine. Still, there are many other varieties available.

Pasta is a good source of carbohydrates, which provide energy for the body. It also contains small amounts of protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals like iron and B vitamins, depending on the type of pasta and the flour used.

It is also low in fat and calories, making it a great option for weight management and a balanced diet. It can be enjoyed as a part of a healthy diet when paired with vegetables and lean protein sources such as legumes and in moderate portions.

Pasta can be enjoyed in a variety of ways; it can be cooked in different sauces, with herbs and spices, and can also be used in salads and soups. There are also different types of pasta available for those who are gluten intolerant or prefer a lower-carb option, such as rice pasta, quinoa pasta, and lentil pasta.

Pasta is not an excellent source of any particular vitamin.

However, it also contains a good amount of Vitamin B3 (Niacin) and some Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

Amaranth vs Pasta Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing amaranth vs pasta.

This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of amaranth and pasta and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.

Amaranth vs Pasta Calories

Most calories in grains come from carbs.

Comparing pasta vs amaranth for weight loss, amaranth and pasta contain the same amount of calories, 371 per 100 grams.

However, both amaranth and pasta can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight.

Amaranth vs Pasta Protein

Grains and most grain products, including amaranth and pasta, are important sources of plant-based protein.

However, it should be noted that most grains, with the exception of quinoa and buckwheat, for example, are low in lysine and methionine.

That said, you can combine grains with legumes to get a complete protein.

Amaranth offers around 4% more protein than pasta.

Amaranth has 13.6 grams of protein per 100 grams, while pasta has 13 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Amaranth vs Pasta Carbs

Counting carbs can be important for some people for different reasons, including blood sugar control, weight management, or athletic performance.

It’s also important for people on a keto diet, so let’s compare the carbs content in amaranth and pasta.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 13% higher in pasta than in amaranth. It has 74.7 grams per 100 grams, compared to 65.2 grams in amaranth.

There’s less sugar in amaranth than in pasta, 37% precisely.

That said, 100 grams of amaranth contains 1.7 grams of sugar, while the same amount of pasta contains 2.7 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in amaranth and pasta.

Dietary fiber keeps the digestive system healthy and helps with weight management by promoting a sense of fullness.

With 6.7 grams of fiber per 100 grams, amaranth is a better source of fiber than pasta which amaranth offers 3.2 grams per 100 gram portion.

Amaranth vs Pasta Fats

Like most other grains, amaranth and pasta are low in fat.

Fats in amaranth and pasta are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in amaranth and pasta:

• Amaranth: 7 grams per 100 grams
• Pasta: 1.5 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, pasta is 80% lower in saturated fats.

Pasta and amaranth contain 0.3 grams and 1.5 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Amaranth vs Pasta Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of amaranth and pasta.

Vitamins are micronutrients, meaning we need only a small amount. However, they are very important for many processes in our bodies.

Amaranth has a higher amount of vitamin B3 (Niacin), and vitamin K.

However, pasta has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin E.

Amaranth and pasta contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins amaranth and pasta contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Amaranth vs Pasta Minerals Content

Minerals are important for our body to function properly. We need only a small amount of minerals, so they are called micronutrients.

Some minerals, like iron, calcium, zinc, or iodine, are relatively hard to get on a plant-based diet, so it’s important to choose your foods thoughtfully. This part of the amaranth and pasta comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Amaranth is a better source of selenium, and sodium than pasta.

On the other hand, pasta is a higher amount of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.

Amaranth and pasta contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how amaranth and pasta compare when it comes to mineral content.

The Final Word

This article highlighted the similarities and differences between amaranth and pasta.

Grains, also known as cereal grains, are an important source of nutrition for many people around the world. They are a rich source of carbohydrates, which provide energy for the body.

Whole grains contain important vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins and iron. Whole grains, in particular, are high in dietary fiber and can help with digestion and weight management.

They may also have other health benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Grains are also a staple food and an important source of food security in many parts of the world.