White Bread vs White Pasta – Which Is Healthier?

Our Verdict

When comparing a white bread to a white pasta, we picked the pasta.

Why?

Neither are great for the health! But like for like, the glycemic index of the bread is usually around 150% of the glycemic index for pasta.

All that said, we heartily recommend going for wholegrain in either case!

Bonus tip: cooking pasta “al dente”, so it is still at least a little firm to the bite, results in a lower GI compared to being boiled to death.

Bonus bonus tip: letting pasta cool increases resistant starches. You can then reheat the pasta without losing this benefit.

Please don’t put it in the microwave though; you will make an Italian cry. Instead, simply put it in a colander and pour boiling water over it, and then serve in your usual manner (a good approach if serving it separately is: put it in the serving bowl/dish/pan, drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil and a little cracked black pepper, stir to mix those in, and serve)

Enjoy!