Taking Whole Grains to a Whole New Level With Pasta

CORONA, CA--(Marketwire - September 12, 2007) - Whole grains are good for you, but could sprouted grains be even better?

Sprouted may be the answer for those seeking the most health benefits from their grains. They are a "super" grain of sorts when it comes to benefiting from all whole grains have to offer; such as weight loss and reducing the risks for stroke, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

Food For Life was the first bakery to specialize in natural foods and pioneered sprouted grain breads; and is now the first to develop sprouted grain pastas. The family-run company identified the nutritional value of sprouted grains long before the whole grain movement became popular, and has produced dozens of sprouted grain products over the past 60 years.

"Sprouted grains are a very advanced whole grain," says Gary Torres, one of the principals with Food For Life. "They have so many health benefits it's almost overwhelming."

Their Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Pasta is high in protein and fiber, low in carbohydrates and contains no sugars making it a low glycemic food, beneficial for diabetics and anyone trying to maintain a healthy weight. The pastas have been tested on Type I and Type II diabetics by the Glycemic Research Institute and are certified as a low glycemic food, proven to have minimal impact on blood sugar levels. The sprouted grain pasta is also certified organic and kosher.

Torres says the idea to develop sprouted grain bread and pasta was inspired by the Scripture. The verse, included in the title of all their sprouted grain products, is Ezekiel 4:9: "Take also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentils, and millet, and spelt, and put them in one vessel, and make bread of it."

"We found that when these six grains and legumes are sprouted and combined, a complete protein is created that closely parallels the protein found in milk and eggs," says Torres. "The protein quality in our sprouted grain pastas is over 84 percent as efficient as the highest recognized source of protein."

Vital nutrients that typically lay dormant in a whole grain are brought to life and released when the sprouting technique is used. The process involves adding a very precise amount of water to organically grown whole grains to unlock beneficial enzymes that when activated cause the grains to sprout.

The sprouting process not only significantly increases valuable nutrients and vitamins, but it also causes a natural change that makes the protein and carbohydrates easier for the body to use. In fact, sprouts are lower in carbohydrates and calories than the grains from which they were sprouted.

Another benefit is a faster cooking time (sprouted actually cooks in half the time as regular pasta). The heavy grain also seems to fill you up faster. It's a pasta lover's dream: filling pasta that's healthy for you without the unnecessary calories or carbs.

Food for Life Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Pastas are available in penne, fettuccini, spaghetti and linguine varieties ($3.29-$3.79) and can be found in health food stores and supermarkets nationally. To learn more about sprouted grains visit: http://www.foodforlife.com.

Contact Information: Media Contact: Amy Summers 727-848-1618 ext. 202 Pitch Inc.