Dreamfields Pasta Healthy Nutrition FAQs
Dreamfields Pasta is a premium pasta with about the same
high
fiber as whole wheat pasta,
fewer
digestible carbohydrates and a
lower
glycemic index than traditional pasta has. With its delicious taste and
nutritional benefits, Dreamfields is a healthful option for people with diabetes
-- and a flavorful, nourishing pasta for the entire family.
We realize that you are conscious about what your patients eat, so we've
answered some of your questions about our products. For definitions of other
terms found throughout our site,
visit our
online glossary.
Unique Qualities
What makes Dreamfields Pasta unique? How it is different
than the other pastas?
Dreamfields’ Consumers
Who can eat Dreamfields Pasta?
Production
What is Dreamfields Pasta made of?
What makes the production of Dreamfields Pasta unique?
How is the level of digestible carbohydrates established
for Dreamfields Pasta?
Nutrition
How does the nutrition in Dreamfields compare to traditional
pasta?
Isn’t the low-carb craze over? What about carb-conscious
consumers?
What are digestible carbohydrates?
Why does Dreamfields Pasta packaging say 5 grams of
digestible carbohydrates per serving when the Nutrition Facts lists 41 grams
of total carbohydrates in a label serving?
How are digestible carbohydrates different from net
carbohydrates?
Why does the nutrition label say 190 calories, if less carbs are digested shouldn't the calories be less?
Why does a package of Dreamfields Pasta list a 2-ounce
dry serving when the ChooseMyPlate.gov website lists a 1-ounce dry serving?
What are the added fibers in Dreamfields? What is inulin?
Are there any side effects from eating Dreamfields since
it has 31 protected carbohydrates and about the same high fiber as whole
wheat pasta?
Is Dreamfields a whole-wheat pasta?
Dreamfields and Diabetes
What makes Dreamfields a great pasta for people with
diabetes or pre-diabetes?
What does glycemic index mean? How is the glycemic index
of Dreamfields determined?
How can people with diabetes use information about Dreamfields’ lower
glycemic index or digestible carbohydrates to manage their carbohydrate intake?
What does Glycemic Load (GL) mean? How is the GL of
Dreamfields determined?
Why does Dreamfields Pasta have a 65 percent lower glycemic
index (GI) than traditional pasta? How does the GI compare to whole wheat
pasta?
If I’m using glycemic index as a tool to manage
diabetes, how do I create a low GI pasta meal?
Is Dreamfields just for people with diabetes?
Buying
What pasta shapes does Dreamfields Pasta come in?
Where can I buy Dreamfields pasta?
Cooking
Can I use Dreamfields pasta in place of traditional
and whole grain pastas in recipes?
Once cooked, how does Dreamfields pasta compare to traditional
and whole-wheat pasta for flavor and texture?
How do you prepare Dreamfields Pasta?
On the label, the serving size of Dreamfields is 2 ounces
dry pasta. How much is that in ounces and cups when it’s cooked?
How does food preparation affect the glycemic index
of a pasta dish?
Can I reheat leftover Dreamfields pasta?
Does overcooking Dreamfields increase the pasta's digestible
carbs?
Unique Qualities
What makes Dreamfields Pasta
unique? How it is different than the other pastas?
Like other premium pastas, Dreamfields Pasta is made primarily with
durum
wheat semolina. That is why it has the
great
taste, texture, and cuts (shapes) of traditional pasta. Beyond that,
Dreamfields has three unique differences:
- Dreamfields’ unique recipe and manufacturing process, which are
patented, protect all but 5 grams of the carbohydrates per serving
(2 ounces dry, or about 5 ounces cooked) from being digested. As a result,
the blood glucose rise from eating Dreamfields pasta is lower than that
from traditional pasta.
- Dreamfields contains inulin,
which is a 100 percent natural prebiotic fiber
found in common foods such as Jerusalem artichokes (sunchokes), asparagus,
garlic, and raisins. By providing a food source for healthy bacteria
living in the gut, prebiotics such as inulin may: help promote healthy digestion,
support a healthy immune system, and improve calcium absorption.
- Dreamfields Pasta is the only pasta clinically shown to have a lower glycemic
index than traditional pasta (65% lower).
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Dreamfields’ Consumers
Who can eat Dreamfields
Pasta?
Dreamfields Pasta is a great pasta option for the whole family! A nourishing
pasta choice for all ages, Dreamfields delivers traditional pasta flavor
and texture, in
six popular shapes, for
your family’s favorite
pasta
recipes.
Dreamfields also provides unique benefits to help
people
with diabetes plan menus to manage post-meal blood glucose levels, as
part of an overall healthful eating. To make family meal planning and preparation
easy, everyone can enjoy the same flavorful pasta dishes, prepared with Dreamfields.
Made with durum wheat, Dreamfields pasta is not appropriate for those with
gluten intolerance (celiac disease) or a wheat allergy.
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Production
What is Dreamfields Pasta
made of?
Like other premium pastas, Dreamfields Pasta is made primarily with
durum
wheat semolina, with a one-of-a kind protein-fiber blend that provides
its unique qualities. The added fiber makes it comparable in fiber content
to whole wheat pasta. However, Dreamfields is not whole-wheat pasta.
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What makes the production
of Dreamfields Pasta unique?
Dreamfields Pasta is produced with a unique protein-fiber blend, added to
semolina flour. The functional qualities from the protein-fiber blend modify
the microstructure of pasta dough and influence the permeability of its starch
granules.
During digestion this matrix creates a protective barrier that reduces starch
digestion in the small intestine. As a result, starch-digesting enzymes cannot
change all the starch in Dreamfields Pasta to simple sugars. These protected
carbohydrates cannot then be absorbed into the bloodstream. Instead protected,
or undigested, carbohydrates pass into the colon. There they are fermented,
providing many of the health benefits of fiber.
Changes to the microstructure of pasta dough and the permeability of starch
granules means that a
serving of Dreamfields (2 oz dry) has
just 5 grams of digestible carbohydrates and a
glycemic
index (GI) that is 65% lower than traditional pasta.
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How is the level of digestible
carbohydrates established for Dreamfields Pasta?
Each batch of pasta is rigidly monitored and clinically tested. The testing
method includes measuring the blood glucose response to the whole food (cooked
pasta) by humans (“in vivo”) to establish the pasta’s stated
glycemic
index. After a person eats the standardized amount of pasta, blood glucose
levels are plotted on a graph. The shape and area under a blood glucose response
curve is used to determine the glycemic index and reflect the level of digestible
carbohydrate. This clinical testing is conducted at AMK Clinical Research
Facility in Gainesville, FL., an independent laboratory that complies with
FDA guidelines.
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Nutrition
How does the nutrition in
Dreamfields compare to traditional pasta?
While the total carbohydrate content is comparable, Dreamfields Pasta has
about the same
high fiber as whole wheat pasta
(5 grams per label serving, or 20% of the Daily Value), and
fewer
digestible carbohydrates than traditional pasta. Dreamfields has all
of the taste and texture of traditional
pasta,
because it is made with durum wheat semolina that is enriched with iron and
B vitamins (niacin, thiamine, and riboflavin) and fortified with folic acid.
Download
our Nutrition Facts Panel.
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Isn’t the low-carb craze
over? What about carb-conscious consumers?
While the craze may be history, carbohydrate consciousness is top-of-mind!
Today’s consumers want to choose their carbohydrates wisely. That means
today’s consumers are more likely to: recognize that carbohydrates
aren’t all alike; choose foods that deliver more nutrition than just
carbohydrates; eat more fiber-rich foods; try to go easy on added sugars;
and be portion smart when choosing foods with carbohydrates.
Dreamfields pasta is a great option for carb-conscious consumers. It delivers
about the same
high fiber as whole wheat pasta.
It’s the perfect “plate partner” for other nutrient-rich
foods, including vegetables, legumes, lean meat, poultry, and fish. And many
of its carbohydrates are non-digestible, which helps those with diabetes
manage their blood sugar response.
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What are digestible carbohydrates?
Digestible carbohydrates are those carbohydrates that are broken
down during digestion (prior to reaching the colon) by stomach acids and
digestive enzymes. Digestion results in small nutritional substances that
can be absorbed into the blood stream, and then used as an energy source.
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Why does Dreamfields Pasta
packaging say 5 grams of digestible carbohydrates per serving when the Nutrition
Facts lists 41 grams of total carbohydrates in a label serving?
While the total carbohydrate in Dreamfields Pasta is the same as traditional
pasta, Dreamfields’
patented formula and
unique manufacturing process protect all but 5 grams of carbohydrate
from being digested. Instead, these 31 grams of
protected
(undigested) carbohydrates, along with the 5 grams of fiber, pass to
the colon where they are fermented, providing many of the benefits of fiber.
That leaves 5 grams of digestible carbohydrates per label serving.
41 grams total carbohydrates
- 5 grams fiber
- 31 grams protected (undigested) carbohydrates
(starch)
= 5 grams digestible carbohydrates
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How are digestible carbohydrates
different from net carbohydrates?
For Dreamfields
digestible carbohydrates are
determined by a clinical method that measures the blood glucose response
of the whole food (cooked pasta). This response is used to establish the
amount of digestible carbohydrates. Clinical testing is conducted at an independent
clinical laboratory.
Unlike digestible carbohydrates,
net
carbohydrates are simply estimates of the digestibility of the carbohydrates
in a food. One typical way to estimate net carbohydrates in a serving is
a math calculation: total carbohydrates (grams) minus fiber (grams) equals
net carbohydrates (grams). There is, however, no consensus definition or
FDA regulated method for calculating or labeling net carbohydrates. Dreamfields
Pasta is not labeled with net carbohydrates.
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Why does the nutrition label say 190 calories, if less carbs are digested shouldn't the calories be less?
All nutrition labeling in the US is strictly controlled by the FDA and must conform to the rules and regulations currently in place. The Dreamfields nutrition label complies with these rules; however, the current rules do not have a provision for accounting for the protected carbohydrates in a serving of Dreamfields. The nutrition panel accounts for what goes in the mouth not necessarily for how the body metabolizes it.
The 190 calories shown on each carton's nutrition label is based on most of the carbohydrates contributing 4 grams of calories each. Dietary fiber, which is included in the total carbohydrate number, contribute less than 4 calories each. Insoluble fiber contributes 0 calories and soluble fiber contributes on average about 2 calories per gram.
In round numbers, the math goes like this:
- 1 gram of fat contributes 9 calories (1 x 9 = 9).
- 7 grams of protein contribute 28 calories. (7 x 4 = 28)
- 36 grams of carbohydrates contribute 144 calories.(36 x 4 = 144)
- 2 grams of insoluble fiber contribute 0 calories
- 3 grams of soluble dietary fiber contribute 6 calories. (3 x 2 = 6)
- Add 3 calories for the rounding up.
- Add these contributions (9+28+144+6+3) to get the 190 calories.
When making Dreamfields pasta, we add a patented fiber and protein blend to the semolina to create a protective matrix within the pasta. This matrix entraps most of the carbohydrates, protecting them from absorbing water during cooking and acts as a barrier to the digestive enzymes in the small intestine. These entrapped carbohydrates are not easily digested and behave like soluble fiber in your digestive system, so theoretically the calories the body obtains from a serving of Dreamfields could be less than 190.
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Why does a package of Dreamfields
Pasta list a 2-ounce dry serving when the ChooseMyPlate.gov
website lists a 1-ounce dry serving?
For many products, ChooseMyPlate.gov and label
serving sizes are
not always the same, as they are used for different purposes. That’s
true for pasta, too.
1.)
For food labeling: Serving sizes are standardized amounts used
for comparing similar foods, such as Dreamfields and traditional pasta. Serving
size is not a recommended amount; it is not the portion an individual usually
eats either. Instead Nutrition Facts serving sizes reflect the amount of
food customarily eaten at one time. These amounts are based on reports from
nationwide food consumption surveys and are used as “reference amounts” for
comparisons. Typically label servings are measured in common household terms
such as “1/2 cup.” However, for most packaged pasta, a label
serving is given as “2 ounces dry.”
2.)
In ChooseMyPlate: Instead of serving sizes, ChooseMyPlate advises total
amounts from each group per day to help people meet their daily nutrient
and calorie recommendations. In the Grain Group that’s the equivalent
of 6 ounces total for a 2000 calorie-a-day eating plan. The advice is slightly
less or more, depending on the calories people need.
3.)
How much then is an ounce from the Grain Group? That depends
on the food, for example,1 slice of bread is an ounce. For pasta, 1/2 cup
cooked or one ounce dry pasta equates to 1 ounce from the Grain Group. These
comparable amounts are given in a few, easy-to-remember portions (equivalents)
that are mostly nutritionally comparable.
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What are the added fibers
in Dreamfields? What is inulin?
The fiber added in Dreamfields is a fiber blend that includes
inulin,
a 100 percent natural fruit and vegetable fiber found in common foods such
as Jerusalem artichokes (sunchokes), asparagus, garlic and raisins. Like
fiber in oats, peas and apples, inulin is soluble. This fiber blend also
includes other soluble fibers: xanthan gum and pectin. Being soluble offers
unique health benefits. It dissolves easily in water, which in turn may improve
regularity. Soluble fiber may help reduce cholesterol levels.
Inulin may have other health promoting benefits, too, which are currently
being researched. As a
prebiotic,
it is food for the “good” bacteria (bifidobacteria and lactobacilli)
that live in the colon, and so may help improve digestive health. Friendly
bacteria grow and produce fermentation products that may also help support
a healthy immune system. Inulin also may help modulate glucose and lipid
(fat) metabolism in the liver, may help improve calcium absorption, and may
help keep the colon functioning properly for recycling of water and electrolytes.
Scientific evidence is growing on the role of inulin in health.
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Are there any side effects
from eating Dreamfields since it has 31 protected carbohydrates and about
the same high fiber as whole wheat pasta? If protected carbohydrates act
like fiber, couldn’t that be too much?
Dreamfields Pasta is made with 100% FDA approved, safe food ingredients.
There have been no cases of side effects or gastrointestinal distress reported
in clinical studies with Dreamfields Pasta. In fact, its added fiber is known
to help promote healthy
digestion.
Most American consumers consume significantly less fiber than recommended
for health. As an option in pasta meals; Dreamfields offers one way to meet
fiber recommendations.
Note: For any traditional pasta, people known to be sensitive to wheat
gluten must avoid products made with wheat flours (semolina).
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Is Dreamfields a whole-wheat
pasta?
No. Dreamfields is made primarily with enriched durum wheat semolina, which
is why it has the flavor and texture of a premium pasta. Many of the whole-wheat
pastas typically contain some durum wheat semolina, but they are made predominately
with whole-wheat flour, giving them a strong taste and gritty texture.
The fiber content of Dreamfields pasta is comparable to many whole-wheat
pastas. It contains 5 grams of fiber, or 20% Daily Value per serving (2-ounce
dry, or about 5 ounce cooked). That’s about the same
high
fiber as whole wheat pasta. Most of the fiber in Dreamfields comes from
inulin, which is a soluble fiber (like fiber in oats, peas and apples).
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Dreamfields and Diabetes
What makes Dreamfields a great
pasta for people with diabetes or pre-diabetes?
One of the most prevalent misconceptions that accompany a diagnosis of pre-diabetes
or diabetes is that you will never be able to enjoy pasta again. That’s
simply not true. While you may need to control carbohydrate, calorie, and
fat intake, and make sensible food choices, traditional favorites like white
pasta can be part of a healthful eating plan.
Dreamfields’ nutritional benefits and delicious taste make it a healthful
option for people with pre-diabetes or diabetes, as well as a flavorful,
nourishing pasta for the entire family. Why?
- Fewer digestible carbohydrates. Dreamfields’ unique
recipe and manufacturing process, which are patented, protects
all but 5 grams of total carbohydrates per serving (2
ounces dry or about 5 ounces cooked) from being digested and therefore
lessens post-meal blood glucose rise as compared to traditional pasta.
As a result, blood glucose rise from eating Dreamfields pasta alone is
lower than that from traditional pasta.
- About the same high fiber as
whole wheat pasta (5 grams per label serving). Dreamfields
contains inulin; a 100 percent natural
prebiotic fiber found in common foods such as Jerusalem artichokes
(sunchokes), asparagus, garlic and raisins. By providing a food source
for the healthy bacteria living in the gut, prebiotics such as inulin
may: help promote healthy digestion, support a healthy immune system,
and improve calcium absorption. Inulin is a soluble fiber (like that
found in oats, dried beans and apples) which means it dissolves easily
in water and may improve regularity. Soluble fiber can also help reduce
cholesterol levels.
- 65% lower Glycemic Index than traditional pasta. Dreamfields’ unique
fiber and protein blend allows its pasta to have a Glycemic
Index (GI) of 13, compared to traditional pasta, which has a GI of
38. A lower GI in the whole meal can translate to a lower post-meal blood
glucose rise.
- Tastes delicious. Dreamfields Pasta has all of the taste and
texture of traditional pastas, which makes it a great pasta
option for the whole family!
To create a healthful eating plan for your individual needs, consult with
a qualified health care professional, such as a registered dietitian or certified
diabetes educator.
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What does glycemic index mean?
How is the glycemic index of Dreamfields determined?
The
Glycemic Index (GI) is a
measure of the effect of the consumption of food on blood glucose levels.
The GI ranks the blood glucose response of a food on a scale of 0 to 100.
High GI foods (70+) are those that are rapidly digested into small sugar
molecules (mono and disaccharides) and rapidly raise blood glucose levels
after eating. Medium GI foods have indexes of 56 to 69. Low GI foods (55
or less) are digested slowly, releasing glucose gradually into the blood
stream. Dreamfields has a very low GI of 13.
Dreamfields Pasta has a 65% lower GI than traditional pasta:
- GI of Dreamfields Pasta = 13
- GI of traditional pasta = 38
The reason for the difference: Dreamfields’ unique fiber and protein
blend protects all but five grams of its 41 grams of carbohydrate per label
serving from being digested. That therefore lessens its post-meal blood glucose
rise as compared to traditional pasta.
Dreamfields uses a highly-controlled clinical glycemic index (GI) testing
procedure to test each batch of pasta. This rigid clinical testing with human
subject ensures the level of the GI level stated on the label. This clinical
testing is conducted at an independent laboratory.
The glycemic index may be a useful tool to help manage blood glucose. To
learn more about the glycemic index, consult with a qualified health care
professional, such as a registered dietitian or certified diabetes educator.
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How can people with diabetes
use information about Dreamfields’ lower glycemic index or digestible
carbohydrates to manage their carbohydrate intake?
With the guidance of a registered dietitian or diabetes educator, people
with diabetes may choose to use the
glycemic
index (GI) or carbohydrate counting among their tools to help manage
their daily food intake and blood glucose levels.
For the glycemic index, the lower GI of Dreamfields Pasta translates
into a lower blood glucose rise after eating Dreamfields Pasta alone as compared
to traditional pastas. For a low GI meal, partner Dreamfields Pasta with
other low GI foods.
For carbohydrate counting, those who use carbohydrate counting for
menu planning can count 5 grams of digestible carbohydrates per label serving
(2 ounces dry or about 5 ounces cooked). A registered dietitian or diabetes
educator can determine how to count Dreamfields’ protected carbohydrates
and fiber, which are fermented in the gut and produce some calories from
the products of fermentation.
To see how Dreamfields affects your blood glucose, check your blood glucose
11/2 to 2 hours after eating. Individual blood glucose responses will vary.
If you’re not familiar with the GI or carbohydrate counting as tools
for diabetes management, consult a registered dietitian or diabetes educator
to see if these tools can be part of your diabetes management plan for your
daily food intake and for blood glucose control.
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What does Glycemic Load (GL)
mean? How is the GL of Dreamfields determined?
Glycemic load (GL), as well
as glycemic index (GI), are used by some people with diabetes -- with the
help of a registered dietitian or diabetes educator -- to help manage their
daily food intake and blood glucose levels. The GL reflects both the type
or quality (GI) of carbohydrate and the quantity of carbohydrate for a serving
size of a food.
How Glycemic Load is calculated:
(GI/100) x Total Available Carbohydrates = GL
How we determine Dreamfields’ Glycemic Load:
(13/100) x (41 total carbs - 5 grams fiber) = 4.68 or a GL of 5, as rounded
The GL of a label serving of Dreamfields pasta is equivalent in value to
its digestible carbohydrates. Dreamfields Pasta has a GL of five, which is
equal to 5 grams of digestible carbohydrate per serving (2 ounces dry or
about 5 ounces cooked).
To learn more about glycemic load, including how it applies a whole meal,
consult with a qualified health care professional, such as a registered dietitian
or certified diabetes educator.
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Why does Dreamfields Pasta
have a 65 percent lower glycemic index (GI) than traditional pasta? How does
the GI compare to whole wheat pasta?
With its unique fiber and protein blend Dreamfields Pasta has a
glycemic
index that is 65 percent lower than traditional pasta and whole wheat
pasta.
- GI of Dreamfields Pasta = 13
- GI of traditional pasta = 38
- GI of whole-wheat pasta = 37
Typically high glycemic foods are those that are 70+, while low glycemic
foods have a GI of less than 55.
The reason that Dreamfields has a lower GI is due to its unique protein-fiber
blend and manufacturing process. Of the 41 grams of total carbohydrate in
each serving of Dreamfields pasta (2 ounces dry or about 5 ounces cooked),
all but 5 grams of carbohydrate are protected from digestion. Instead the
protected carbohydrate passes into the colon where it provides the health
benefits of fiber, as a result of being fermented. Dreamfields’ unique
protein and fiber blend translate into a reduced GI.
While some individuals may find it beneficial to select low GI foods, a low
GI approach is not appropriate for everyone. To learn more about the glycemic
index, consult with a qualified health care professional, such as a registered
dietitian or certified diabetes educator.
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If I am using glycemic index
as a tool to manage diabetes, how do I create a low GI pasta meal?
While each food has its own GI, people rarely eat foods alone, but rather
with other foods as a meal or snack. The GI of a pasta dish depends on several
factors, including how it is prepared, the other foods eaten with it, and
the amount consumed, as well as a person’s individual blood glucose
response to the food and meal. Other food substances in a meal – fiber,
proteins and fats - all affect the rate of digesting and absorbing carbohydrates.
To create a low GI and GL pasta meal, follow these food preparation tips:
- Prepare Dreamfields Pasta according to package directions. (See cooking
tips)
- Choose a pasta recipe – and plan the whole meal – to include
other low GI foods, in addition to Dreamfields Pasta.
- Load up vegetables and fruits. Most have a low to moderate GI ranking,
are nutrient dense, and low in fat and calories too.
- Avoid highly processed foods.
- Choose foods that are high in fiber.
- Include some protein in your pasta meal including lean meat, poultry
or fish.
- Measure portion sizes to make sure you’re actually consuming
what you think you are since portion size of any food, and food combination,
affects the GI and GL of a meal.
Check your blood glucose 1½ to 2 hours after eating to see how the
meal affected your blood glucose levels and if the response was as you expected.
If you choose to use GI as one tool for diabetes management, consult with
a registered dietitian or diabetes educator for guidance on food preparation
and menu planning to manage blood glucose response.
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Is Dreamfields just for people
with diabetes?
Dreamfields pasta is for everyone in the family, not just for those with
diabetes. Whether or not you have diabetes or pre-diabetes, healthful eating
means including a variety of nutrient-rich foods:
- Whole and enriched grain products
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Legumes
- Fat-free and low-fat milk products
- Lean meat/poultry/fish
- Appropriate amounts of heart-healthy fats
Since Dreamfields pasta has about the same
high
fiber as whole wheat pasta (5 grams per 2 ounce dry serving), helps promote
healthy digestion, and is the perfect recipe partner for a variety of nutrient-rich
foods, it is a nutritious and delicious pasta choice for everyone in the
family!
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Buying
What pasta shapes does Dreamfields
Pasta come in?
Dreamfields’ traditional pasta flavor and texture comes in
seven
popular cuts: Spaghetti, Angel Hair, Linguine, Lasagna, Rotini, Penne
Rigate and Elbows. These pasta shapes can be used in most of your family’s
favorite
pasta recipes.
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Where can I buy Dreamfields
pasta?
Dreamfields is available nationwide in most grocery stores.
Find
a store near you. You can also purchase it online via
amazon.com,
carbsmart.com,
netrition.com,
vivalowcarb.com and
other online stores (
google: “Dreamfields
pasta”). You may also purchase your favorite pasta shapes by the
case through the Dreamfields Online Store at
www.buydreamfields.com.
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Cooking
Can I use Dreamfields pasta
in place of traditional and whole grain pastas in recipes?
Yes, you can! Dreamfields is as
easy to prepare as
traditional or whole-grain pasta. Just substitute Dreamfields pasta for any
recipe that calls for traditional or whole-grain pasta.
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Once cooked, how does Dreamfields
pasta compare to traditional and whole-wheat pasta for flavor and texture?
Because Dreamfields is made primarily with
enriched
durum wheat semolina, it has the flavor and texture of traditional pasta.
Whole-wheat pasta is made predominately with whole wheat flour and typically
some durum wheat semolina. As a result, whole-wheat pasta has a stronger
taste and gritty texture.
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How do you prepare Dreamfields
Pasta?
Prepare Dreamfields as you make traditional pasta. Check the package for
recommended cooking times. Cooking times vary slightly with the type of pasta.
As with all pasta, it's best to cook Dreamfields Pasta “al dente,” or
slightly firm and not soft or overcooked.
Get
tips for cooking great pasta.
Dreamfields’ great flavor and various shapes go perfectly with all
types of sauces, protein-rich foods (meat, poultry, fish, legumes, or tempeh)
and vegetables. Match the pasta shape to the type of sauce or the recipe
you prefer. Recipe possibilities are endless. Check our
delicious
and healthful pasta recipes. Or get creative as you
improvise
healthy pasta recipes that are just right for you!
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On the label, the serving
size of Dreamfields is 2 ounces dry pasta. How much is that in ounces and
cups when it’s cooked?
Two ounces dry pasta equals about 5 ounces cooked. Remember that all pasta
expands as it cooks.
Ounces to cups (estimates):
Penne Rigate: 2 oz. dry = 1/2 cup dry = 1 cup cooked
Elbows: 2 oz. dry = 1/2 cup dry = 1 cup cooked
Rotini (spirals): 2 oz. dry = 3/4 cup dry = 1½ cups cooked
Spaghetti: 1/2 inch circle = 1 cup cooked
Angel Hair: 1/2 inch circle = 1 cup cooked
Linguine: 3/4 inch circle = 1 cup cooked
Lasagna: 2 pieces = 1 1/2 cups cooked
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How does food preparation
affect the glycemic index of a pasta dish?
The
glycemic index of any dish,
including a pasta dish, are affected by several food preparation factors,
including all ingredients in a mixed dish, how they are prepared, how much
fat, protein, and fiber the dish contains, the type of sugar and starch in
the ingredients, the amount consumed, and other foods in the meal. For starchy
foods, such as pasta, cooking time plays a role; overcooking increases the
GI because starch granules have more time to gelatinize so they are more
easily digested. Cook Dreamfields Pasta according to package directions.
Tip: Eating pasta with lots of vegetables – in the pasta
dish or on the side – reduces the glycemic load in a mixed dish or
a meal. It’s a great way to enjoy Dreamfields Pasta, and an easy
way to fit in additional fiber-rich veggies!
If you are using GI as one tool in diabetes management, talk to your diabetes
educator or registered dietitian to help you address these factors in your
menu planning.
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Can I reheat leftover Dreamfields
pasta?
For best enjoyment and optimum healthful benefits, Dreamfields should be
eaten in one sitting. If you do have leftovers we recommend keeping the pasta
and sauce separate. Lightly drizzle the pasta with light vegetable oil to
keep it from sticking and store in an airtight container for up to 36 hours.
Reheat on low heat or microwave. Even with these precautions, the protective
matrix may still be damaged depending on your individual circumstances. Tomato
sauce and other high acid sauces may break down the protective matrix over
time. This does not occur in the time it normally takes to eat a meal but
may occur if the meal is stored as a left over and then reheated. The amount
of acidity in the sauce, the amount of time the meal is stored and the temperature
and time of reheating may all have an effect.
Does This Include Lasagna? Our lasagna is specially formulated
not to break down when prepared according to the recipe on the carton, which
calls for boiling the noodles for 12 – 14 minutes, draining and rinsing with
cold water. Then assemble the noodles with the other ingredients and bake
in a 375 degree oven for 45 minutes covered with foil and then an additional
10 minutes uncovered. We have tested the lasagna noodles prepared this way
and the results show the protective matrix still delivers only 5 grams of
digestible carbs per serving.
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Does overcooking Dreamfields
increase the pasta’s digestible carbs?
For all of Dreamfields pasta shapes, we recommend cooking the pasta as directed
on the carton, in boiling water for the appropriate time depending on the
shape. It is very important not to overcook Dreamfields because over cooking
can damage the protective matrix and increase the digestible carbs per serving.
We also recommend pouring any sauce over the pasta just before serving. If
the pasta is mixed in a pan with the sauce, do this only over low heat for
a short amount of time.
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