Want to know the best way to lose weight without feeling hungry? Yes, you actually heard that right! Zero Calorie noodles are a dieter’s dream and the dieting hack I used to lose over 20 pounds – without ever feeling hungry!
The worst part about trying to lose weight is feeling hungry all the time. As someone who has been on many [many!] diets, I can tell you that when I discovered zero calorie noodles it completely changed my dieting game and helped me to lose over 20 pounds!
“You are going to learn all about zero calorie noodles, what they are, how to prepare them, and what recipes and dishes they work best in.
After learning about all of these tips about zero calorie noodles you are going to be able to lose weight without feeling hungry and, dare I say, even enjoy, your dieting journey.
This post is all about everything you need to know about zero calorie noodles!
Everything You Need To Know About Zero Calorie Noodles (aka Shirataki Noodles)
What are Zero Calorie Noodles?
Zero Calorie noodles, also known as shirataki noodles or miracle noodles, are a low-calorie alternative to pasta. They look similar traditional pasta but have a much lower calorie count. They are really helpful if you are on a diet because it lets you eat extra food without the extra calories.
Shirataki noodles originated in Japan. They are made out of the root of the Konjac plant. They primarily consist of fiber and water. Due to their high fiber and water content, these noodles move through your digestive system very slowly, which helps you feel full and satisfied longer.
When you first open the package you might be disappointed. The noodles are packaged in water and the water takes on a fishy smell. Also, because the noodles are highly water absorbent they will be a bit water logged upon opening. In order to get rid of the smell you must drain the liquid and rinse the noodles. And, unless you like your pasta soggy you will need to dry the noodles out a little bit. The easiest and best way I have found are the steps that I take above. Rinsing and microwaving will prepare your Shirataki noodles to be an enjoyable base for your meal.
There are several different types of shirataki noodles. They come in traditional spaghetti, angel hair pasta, fettuccini, and even rice (although I have never had the rice and am not sure how those are).
How Do I Prepare Shirataki Noodles?
One of the main hurdles to get over when new to using zero calorie noodles is the fishy smell that they have when you first take them out of the package. The second is the rubbery texture.
This is where is becomes important how you cook the shirataki noodles. The smell can be eliminated and the texture greatly improved by some quick and simple preparation.
The best way to prepare Shirataki noodles for use in your dish is by precooking them to get out some of the excess moisture and to eliminate the unpleasant “fishy” smell. There are several ways to prepare them. But the easiest way I have found is:
- Open the package and pour contents into a strainer
- Rinse noodles under cold water
- Transfer noodles to a large microwave-safe bowl
- Microwave noodles for 2.5 – 3 minutes
- Transfer noodles back to the strainer and drain excess liquid
- Cover noodles with hearty pasta sauce and enjoy.
Are Shirataki Noodles Really Zero Calories?
I know what you’re thinking, this has to be too good to be true! Can Zero Calorie noodles really have no calories? While they are frequently referred to as “no calorie” noodles, that is not exactly accurate. Each package of noodles has approximately 20 calories per serving or 40 calories for the whole package. So while that will still contribute to your daily calorie count – it is significantly less than the 760 calories that you would consume if you ate 8-ounces of spaghetti, With this in mind you can see why Shirataki noodles can be a healthy addition to someone who wants to eat less calories but not feel like they are starving or depriving themselves
What Recipes Should I Use Shirataki Noodles In?
The dishes that I find Shirataki noodles work best with are pasta dishes, stir fry dishes, or pad thai recipes, or just pan frief with some vegetables and soy sauce. When using them in a stir fry dish, they should be added to the pan and cooked with the rest of the stir fry or pad thai ingredients after the above steps.
In a pasta dish, they are best served with a hearty pasta sauce. While they have the appearance of pasta noodles their texture is not exact. They are more rubbery than real pasta. Also, while pasta has it’s own flavor, the shirataki noodles are tasteless. That is why I like to disguise them under a hearty sauce. Click here is my favorite recipe for a Vegan Bolognese sauce that I eat ALL the time!!
The first time I used them, I did not follow the rinse and microwave precook method and then I topped them with a Classico marinara sauce. Frankly, it was a complete fail and bordered on gross. I resolved to never eat them again. Luckily, I learned that with proper preparation they can be delicious now I eat them regularly. However, even with proper preparation they will never taste (or have the texture) of 100% real pasta. I find that when they are added to a hearty homemade pasta sauce that has a little bit of regular cooked pasta that is the best way to disguise their texture and create a delicious and filling meal.
My favorite sauce to top them with is my Hearty One Pot pasta sauce. I also add a little nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan to the top which has a slight cheesy taste.
Aren’t Those Just For Low Carb Diets?
Shirataki noodles are mostly associated with low carb diets because they have a low carb count and are basically the only way that someone n a Keto diet or low carb diet can have “pasta.”
But if you are like me and eating a vegan or vegetarian diet – you might wonder why even bother with these? Just eat pasta. Well the main reason that I include them is because it allows me keep my daily calorie count low but still enjoying a large bowl of pasta.
Even if you are on a high carb/low fat or plant based diet if you are trying to lose weight, calories matter. When I am in weight loss mode I try to keep my calories around 1450-1600 per day. By adding a package of Shirataki noodles to my pasta and sauce, it adds a mere 40 calories to my day. If I were to eat eight ounces of pasta that would be an additional 760 calories to the meal (over 18 times the calories). Plus because they are so high in fiber they slowly move through the digestive system and keep me full longer.
Which Are the Best Brands of Shirataki Noodles?
I use two brands of Shirataki Noodles regularly:
House of Noodles Tofu Shirataki: You can find them on Amazon (below) or the refrigerated Tofu area of the grocery store.
Pasta Zero – I could not find these on Amazon but usually but this brand at Target or Safeway.
Both are very similar and come in 8 ounce packages. Both say that there are two servings per package but since they are only 40 calories for the whole package, I use the whole package in my dish. While it is very filling, they are less filling than traditional pasta – where I would feel overly full if I ate 8 -ounces in a single serving.
House of Noodles has more of a white (or more traditional appearance) and the Pasta Zero has a clearer appearance. They are both similar in texture and taste. I really do not have a preference for one brand over the other.
Let me know in the comments if you try this and like it – or if you have another way to prep your Shirataki noodles that you prefer.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.
