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Ask Mamaguru: School Cafeteria

Hi mamaguru
I found your article on testing whole grain pastas while googling “whole wheat pasta taste test.” It was very interesting. I am the manager of a grade school cafeteria. As you may know, the federal government has instituted new nutrition standards for school lunches. One of the big changes is the requirement to introduce more whole wheat/whole grain into the lunches. This brings me to my question. Of all the pastas you tested, which do you think was most like traditional pasta? In other words, which could I serve my kids that would seem the most like what they are used to? They can be so finicky and it’s very hard to get them to try anything new, so I would like to introduce the whole wheat pasta into the meal without a lot of “eewwww, what’s that!?”
Thanks very much for any help you can give me,
Mary Ann Murphy

Hi Mary Ann,

Thanks for your question.   That whole wheat pasta taste test was quite a messy ordeal in my kitchen, but it was really great to know for sure which one tasted the best.  The winner was Alma’s Whole Wheat Spaghetti.  It’s reasonably priced, so I’d recommend that for your school.  An alternative would be Rozoni’s Healthy Harvest.  That came in third place, but has a much better price than the second place pasta.

Here are a few tips to make the transition easier:

1.  Cook the pasta in heavily salted water.  It adds flavor and if you cut back on processed food, sodium isn’t a concern.   Sometimes people take all salt and fat out of healthy food, and then they wonder why it doesn’t taste good.

2.  Toss your pasta in the sauce before serving it.  Cafeterias often serve them separately, which means some of the pasta remains bare.  Coating the pasta in sauce before serving makes it taste better and hides the darker color of the whole wheat.  Reserve a bit of pasta water to add to the pasta as it sits and absorbs the sauce.

I suggest starting with a marinara because it’s a kid favorite.  You can add carrots and bell peppers to the sauce for extra veggies.  After that, you can add pesto to the menu.  Spinach and walnuts can be substituted for basil and pine nuts to make it more affordable.  I learned that from Rachel Ray and often cook it for my children.  They don’t know the difference.  We like to add raisins to our pesto.  I know that sounds strange, but it’s really good and adds extra iron to the meal.

You can also use whole wheat pasta with mac and cheese.  I sneak butternut squash into the cheese sauce.

3.  Keep this fact in mind: it takes 20 exposures before taste buds adjust to a new flavor.  I’m sure you’ve heard the same news stories I have about students rejecting the new, healthier fare at school.  They haven’t given it a chance and neither have the schools.  Cook something you think is delicious and wait to listen to student feedback until the 21st time it’s on the menu.  Early complaints are just noise and shouldn’t be taken seriously.

Good luck!  You are on the frontlines of our children’s health.  The fact that you are researching and reaching out is an indication that you are the perfect person to help transform your students’ school.  As a parent and citizen, I offer you my sincere thanks.  Please write back and let us know how things work out.

Love,
Rebecca

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Hi there and welcome to Mamaguru! My name is Rebecca Cofiño and I created Mamaguru to help people live happier lives by living deliberately. It’s so easy to get caught in the hustle and bustle of busyness, and to feel like we never get the chance to live the life we really want.  As a working ...

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