I think it tastes better. Really. I was a white pasta eater until very recently, and my aversion to trying whole wheat pasta in the past was all mental I think. You know, the color is a little different, and I thought it might taste kind of gross, etc. But it tastes really good, and the texture is the same as white pasta. There's a much bigger difference taste and texture wise between white bread and whole wheat bread than between white pasta and whole wheat pasta, and so if you've been able to make the bread jump the pasta will be easy.

The other night I cooked whole wheat pasta for myself and regular spaghetti for my husband (still can't get him to try the whole wheat pasta). I had to taste a few strands of his spaghetti as it was cooking to determine doneness, and realized it tasted really bland in comparison to my whole wheat pasta. I would highly recommend trying it with sauce you really like, or use it in a vegetable lasagna instead of regular lasagna noodles. It really is very good.

Staples for me:

-almonds, pre-portioned (TJ's sells already portioned-out almonds, called "Handful of Nuts" or something)
-Laughing Cow cheese wedges
-Morningstar Spicy "Chick'n" patties (low in fat but still a great source of protein; I throw it in the microwave for a minute and throw it over a small salad, tasty!)
-Greek yogurt (my favorite is Fage)
-broccoli slaw

I'd say I'm never without those items in my house. Or rather, if I am, it makes it quite a bit more difficult for me to make good choices.

Stif fry veg
spray oil
bread buns (weight watchers pitas&wraps)
potatoes (sweet and white)
frozen veg
Chicken breast, thigh, drumsticks
Low fat cheese
skim milk
bag of salad, tomatoes, cucumbers
Low cal dressing
Low cal ice cream (carte d'or)
extra light mayo
mustard
coffee&herbal teas
Veggie burgers (new addition I love)

my staples include

-low cal wheat bread
-deli cheese
-deli meat
-oatmeal
-eggs
-turkey bacon
-chicken
-tuna/tilapia
-bags and bags of veggies
-salt free seasonings
-apples
-sweet potatos
-yogurt
-sugar free/reduced cal condiments
-turkey hotdogs
-rice cakes
-low cal frozen meals

I literally can eat the same exact thing every. single. day. and be content. It makes meal planning a no-brainer and grocery shopping is cheap and easy. When my husband was in Iraq for a year, grocery shopping was so unbelievably simple because I'd eat the same few things.

To keep me fed and happy, all I need is:
- old fashioned oats
- egg beaters
- veggies (tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, lettuce)
- boneless skinless chicken breasts
- light bread
- crystal light
- popcorn kernels to air pop

And that's freaking it, lol. I never spent more than $30/week to feed me. Well, hubs came home and, being the weirdo he is, actually wanted different things to eat day after day! If you can believe it. So grocery shopping went from $30/week to $150/week. I couldn't even make a list of all our pantry/fridge essentials because it changes constantly. I have to plan meals a week ahead and buy the ingredients.

When I can get them, spaghetti squash are amazing. my others include:
Avocodos
Lentils
Quinoa
Celery
Carrots
Oranges or grapefruits
Plain yogurt
Splenda
Eggs
ground turkey
frresh spinach
Green tea
Crystal Light
Fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, olive oil and feta for Greek salad

Lately, my grocery list goes something like this:
Garbanzo beans
Navy Beans
Kidney Beans
Black Beans
Non-GMO Tofu
Tempeh
Non-GMO Soya milk
Vital wheat gluten
Whole wheat bread
Oatmeal
Strawberries
Blueberries
Apples
Blackberries
Nectarines, peaches, or plums
Bananas
Spinach
Bok Choy
Carrots
Celery
Purple sweet potatoes
Mushrooms(baby portabella, cremini, or white)
Onions
Garlic
Shallots
Bell Peppers
Jalapenos
Cabbage
Tomatoes
Bean sprouts
Green onions
Broccoli
Bottled lemon juice
100% Buckwheat soba noodles
Brown rice
Whole wheat pasta
Vegetable stock
Olive oil
...etc.

Of course, I don't get all of these things at once/every week, but these are all items I generally keep in stock all the time, so most of these items end up on the list at least once a month. There are several I'm forgetting, I'm sure.

Plenty of Greek Yogurt
Fiber One Original (to put in yogurt)
Hummus
Tons of carrot chips
Grouper Filets
Shrimp
Fresh veggies for having with every dinner
Chicken Thighs
Any low sodium seasonings
Olive oil
100 calorie pop secret kettle corn
72% cacao dark chocolate to have after dinner