Millet flour vs Pasta: Which Is Healthier?

Millet flour 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 millet flour and pasta and help you learn more about their similarities and differences.

Millet flour

Millet flour (Panicum miliaceum) is made from ground millet, which is an ancient grain that is grown in many parts of the world, including Africa, Asia, and Europe.

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.

Millet flour is commonly used in baking and is a good alternative to wheat flour for gluten-free or alternative baking. It is also used in traditional African and Asian dishes.

Millet flour is considered a functional food, as it has been shown to positively impact 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.

Millet flour is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin).

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).

Millet flour 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 millet flour vs pasta.

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

Millet flour vs Pasta Calories

Most calories in grains come from carbs.

Comparing pasta vs millet flour for weight loss, pasta is slightly lower in calories, with 371 calories per 100 grams, compared to 382 calories per 100 grams of millet flour.

However, both millet flour 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.

Millet flour vs Pasta Protein

Grains and most grain products, including millet flour 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.

Pasta offers around 17% more protein than millet flour.

Pasta has 13 grams of protein per 100 grams, while millet flour has 10.8 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Millet flour 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 millet flour and pasta.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 1% higher in millet flour than in pasta. It has 75.1 grams per 100 grams, compared to 74.7 grams in pasta.

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

That said, 100 grams of millet flour 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 millet flour and pasta.

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

With 3.5 grams of fiber per 100 grams, millet flour is a better source of fiber than pasta which millet flour offers 3.2 grams per 100 gram portion.

Millet flour vs Pasta Fats

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

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

Total fat in millet flour and pasta:

• Millet flour: 4.3 grams per 100 grams
• Pasta: 1.5 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, pasta is 40% lower in saturated fats.

Pasta and millet flour contain 0.3 grams and 0.5 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Millet flour vs Pasta Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of millet flour and pasta.

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

However, pasta has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin K.

Millet flour and pasta contain the same amount of vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), and vitamin E.

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

Millet flour 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 millet flour and pasta comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Millet flour is a better source of calcium, selenium, and sodium than pasta.

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

Millet flour and pasta contain the same amount of fluoride.

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

The Final Word

This article highlighted the similarities and differences between millet flour 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.