Unveiling the Secret: Why Do Mission Tortillas Have So Much Fiber?

November 22, 2025 •

4 min read

According to USDA data, a typical six-inch flour tortilla contains a minimal 1 to 2 grams of fiber, making the high content of some Mission varieties, such as their Carb Balance line, stand out significantly and prompting the question: why do Mission tortillas have so much fiber?. The answer lies in specialized ingredient engineering.

Quick Summary

The high fiber content in specific Mission tortillas, particularly the Carb Balance and Protein lines, is due to the strategic addition of specialized ingredients like modified wheat starch, cellulose gum, and pea protein, not just whole grains.

Key Points

Not All Are High Fiber: The high fiber content is specific to product lines like 'Carb Balance' and 'Protein', not all Mission tortillas.
Engineered Ingredients: Modified wheat starch, pea protein, and cellulose gum are key fiber-boosting additions.
Low Net Carbs: The added fibers are indigestible, which allows for a high fiber count and a low net carbohydrate count.
Beyond Whole Wheat: The fiber content is achieved through food engineering, offering different benefits than products simply made with whole wheat flour.
Improved Satiety and Digestion: The high fiber helps promote a feeling of fullness and supports digestive health.
Texture Control: Ingredients like cellulose gum help maintain the desired soft, pliable texture, which can be challenging with high-fiber doughs.

The Core Difference: Engineered Fiber vs. Natural

Standard flour tortillas are primarily made from refined white flour, which has had the fiber-rich bran and germ removed during processing. This is why they contain very little dietary fiber. The high fiber content in certain Mission tortilla products, however, is not just a result of using whole wheat flour. It is the result of a deliberate and technical food science process involving added fiber sources to create tortillas that are both nutritionally enhanced and have a desirable texture.

The Key Ingredients That Boost Fiber

Mission's high-fiber products, such as the Carb Balance and Protein wraps, contain a carefully selected blend of ingredients to maximize fiber content while minimizing net carbohydrates. These ingredients include:

Modified Wheat Starch: A primary component in Mission's Carb Balance line, modified wheat starch is a specialized form of starch that is not fully digestible by the human body. It behaves as a form of dietary fiber, reducing the overall net carb count and boosting fiber grams per serving.
Pea Protein: This plant-based protein is a significant source of both protein and fiber, especially in Mission's Protein Tortilla Wraps. By adding pea protein, the nutritional profile is enhanced with both macronutrients, contributing to a feeling of fullness.
Cellulose Gum & Powdered Cellulose: These are food additives derived from plant cell walls and are used to add fiber and improve texture. They help maintain the tortilla's soft texture and structure, preventing it from becoming brittle or dry, which can be a challenge with high-fiber doughs.
Whole Wheat Flour: While many of the high-fiber products rely on engineered additives, whole wheat flour is still a natural source of fiber used in some Mission products. It provides a more robust, nutty flavor compared to refined flour.

The Science Behind Net Carbs

For those on low-carb diets, the concept of "net carbs" is crucial. It's calculated by subtracting dietary fiber and sugar alcohols from the total carbohydrates. Because the modified wheat starch and other added fibers are not digested in the same way as simple carbohydrates, they do not contribute to the net carb count. This is how Mission achieves both a high fiber count and a low net carb count in their Carb Balance products, providing a popular option for keto and low-carb lifestyles.

Nutritional Comparison: Standard vs. High-Fiber Tortillas

To illustrate the difference, here is a comparison of a standard Mission soft taco flour tortilla and a high-fiber, low-carb version.


Feature	Standard Mission Flour Tortilla	Mission Carb Balance Flour Tortilla
Dietary Fiber	1g	4-15g (depending on size/variety)
Primary Ingredients	Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour	Modified Wheat Starch, Wheat Gluten
Net Carbs	Varies; approx. 17g+	4g (taco size)
Main Purpose	Standard use, traditional flavor	Low-carb diet, fiber intake

Benefits of Choosing High-Fiber Tortillas

The high fiber content in Mission's specialized tortillas offers several health benefits:

Improved Satiety: High fiber content helps you feel full for longer, which can aid in weight management by reducing overall calorie intake.
Digestive Health: Fiber is essential for a healthy digestive system, promoting regularity and supporting gut health.
Blood Sugar Management: By slowing the absorption of carbohydrates, dietary fiber can help prevent blood sugar spikes, making these tortillas a better option for individuals managing diabetes.

The Role of Whole Grains

While Mission's added-fiber approach is a modern innovation, the benefit of whole grains is long-standing. Whole wheat flour contains the entire wheat kernel, including the bran, germ, and endosperm. This makes it a natural source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Tortillas made with 100% whole wheat flour, like some of Mission's other products, offer a different nutritional profile than the engineered high-fiber varieties. However, for those seeking the maximum fiber boost with minimal carbohydrates, the Carb Balance and Protein lines are specifically formulated for that purpose, leveraging food technology to surpass what is possible with whole grains alone.

Conclusion: More Than Just Flour

In conclusion, the reason why Mission tortillas have so much fiber is a conscious decision by the manufacturer to use food science and specialized ingredients to create a product that meets the needs of consumers on low-carb or high-fiber diets. By incorporating components like modified wheat starch, pea protein, and cellulose gum, Mission is able to produce tortillas that are not only soft and pliable but also offer a significant nutritional boost that is not present in traditional, refined flour tortillas. This demonstrates a strategic shift in food production towards healthier, diet-specific alternatives. For anyone trying to increase fiber intake while watching carbohydrates, these products are an engineered solution. Learn more about the specific products on the Mission Foods website.

The Final Word

Mission's high-fiber tortillas are a product of modern food technology, providing a convenient way for consumers to increase their dietary fiber. By understanding the ingredients like modified wheat starch and added cellulose, you can appreciate the science behind their nutritional claims. This intentional formulation is the key to why some varieties offer so much fiber, serving as a functional food product for specific dietary needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

The high fiber content in Mission Carb Balance tortillas primarily comes from the addition of modified wheat starch and other plant-based fibers like powdered cellulose and cellulose gum.

The fiber in specialized Mission tortillas, such as the Carb Balance and Protein varieties, is mostly added through food engineering processes, rather than being derived solely from naturally occurring whole grains.

Food additives like cellulose gum and powdered cellulose are used to maintain the soft and pliable texture of the high-fiber dough. This prevents the tortillas from becoming dry or brittle, a common issue with fiber-rich baked goods.

Yes, Mission's Carb Balance tortillas are designed for low-carb diets like keto. The high amount of added, indigestible fiber results in a low net carb count, making them a suitable option.

Mission offers a range of tortilla products with varying nutritional profiles. The high-fiber varieties are specifically formulated with added fibers to meet particular dietary needs, while their standard products use traditional refined flour and contain very little fiber.

While whole wheat tortillas contain natural fiber from the entire wheat kernel, high-fiber Mission tortillas (like Carb Balance) have additional, engineered fiber sources added to significantly boost the fiber count beyond what whole wheat alone would provide.

Mission formulates its high-fiber tortillas to maintain a great taste and soft texture. While they may have a slightly different flavor or mouthfeel due to the added ingredients, they are designed to be a satisfying alternative to traditional tortillas.

No, only specific products like the 'Protein Tortilla Wraps' contain pea protein to boost both protein and fiber content. The 'Carb Balance' line uses different fiber-boosting ingredients.