The Low-Carb Noodle - A Deeper Look
Is It A Healthier Pasta Choice?
Low Carb Noodle
A bowl of hot ramen served on a cold and freezing winter day is perhaps the ultimate comfort food one can have on this particular time of the year; however, the carbohydrate content of a regular ramen or noodle is really nothing to squeeze at. The carbohydrate content can range from 36 grams to 42 grams per bowl or serving. If you are watching your carb intake closely, ramen, noodle, or pasta in general is off-limits. What about low-carb noodle? Is it a healthier pasta option compared to the traditional noodles?
In terms of carbohydrate content, there is no doubt that low carb noodle is definitely the healthier pasta choice. With the average noodle containing around 30 to 40 grams of carbohydrates, low carb noodle is clearly the better and healthier option with only an average of 7 to 10 grams of net carbohydrates. Low-carb noodles also have an average of 6 to 7 grams of fiber content, around 20 times more than the 0.3 grams in a traditional noodle. Clearly, when it comes to carbohydrates and fiber, low-carb noodle is a better and healthier option.
If you are watching your calorie intake closely, low-carb noodle such as Shirataki noodle again has an edge over the traditional noodles. These noodles have almost zero calories, making them a perfect meal for those who are in strict weight loss diet. While the calorie content of low-carb noodle is really low to nearly nothing at all, its protein content is the opposite since it has around 25 to 30 grams of protein compared to the average 8 grams of the traditional noodle.
One of the most popular low-carb noodles these days is the Shirataki noodle. Shirataki is a very low carbohydrate, low calorie, translucent, thin, gelatinous traditional noodle of Japan. It is made from the famous konjac plant. Largely composed of a water-soluble dietary fiber called "glucomannan" and water, Shirataki noodle is said to help people lose weight and suppress appetite since the gel glucomannan forms in the stomach helps a person maintain a feeling of fullness.
Now, if you are still not convinced that low-carb noodle is a better choice for pasta, read again and do the comparison yourself. You might as well do your research of what's good and bad for the body or ask your dietician or nutritionist if it's a good idea to eat low-carb noodle as an alternative to the traditional noodle. For sure, he/she will say the same thing - low-carb noodle is a better choice. Just don’t use the taste as a basis for judgment because the traditional ramen or noodle is really more delicious. Nevertheless, there are many seasonings and sauces available. You just have to use your imagination to come up with your most delicious low-carb noodle recipe!
