Shirataki Noodles? NO CARBS NO CALORIES??!?!?!??
http://www.shiratakinoodles.net/
Have you guys heard of these, eaten these? Are they any good?
Shirataki (shee-rah-TAH-kee) noodles are thin, low carb, chewy, and translucent traditional Japanese noodles. They are also sometimes called konnyaku noodles. Shirataki noodles are thinner than wheat noodles, do not break as easily, and have a different texture. They are mostly composed of a dietary fiber called glucomannan and contain very few calories and carbohydrates (sometimes even zero). They do not have much flavor by themselves, but absorb flavors well from other ingredients you can combine them with. Shirataki noodles are made from Konjac flour, which comes from the roots of the yam-like Konjac plant grown in Japan and China.
Shirataki noodles are packaged "wet", that is, you purchase them pre-packaged in liquid, and they are ready-to-eat out of the package. You can prepare them by boiling them briefly or running them under ho****er, then combining them with other dishes, or adding things like tofu, garlic, spinach, or soy sauce to enhance the flavor.
What is glucomannan?
Glucomannan is a water-soluble dietary fiber made from the roots of the Asian Konjac plant. Glucomannan makes up the majority of substance in shirataki noodles. Eating lots of dietary fiber, which is found only in plant foods (such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, seeds and nuts) has been proven to have many health benefits.
For example, water-soluble dietary fiber helps decrease blood cholesterol levels. Blood cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dl have been associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. The body gets rid of cholesterol through excretion of bile acids, and since water-soluble fiber binds bile acids, there is evidence that suggests a high-fiber diet results in increased excretion of cholesterol. Diets such as the South Beach Diet are also effective at reducing cholesterol levels while helping you to lose weight.
Fiber may also be beneficial in treating or preventing constipation, hemorrhoids, and diverticulosis (where pouches of the intestinal wall become inflamed and painful). Some research has also linked a high-fiber diet to a reduced risk of colon cancer. The FDA publishes claims outlining this evidence:
- Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol and rich in fruits, vegetables and grain products that contain some types of dietary fiber, particularly soluble fiber, may reduce the risk of heart disease, a disease associated with many factors.
- Diets low in fat and rich in fiber-containing grain products, fruits, and vegetables may reduce the risk of some types of cancer.
- Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol and rich in fruits, vegetables, and grain products that contain fiber, particularly soluble fiber, may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
- Diets low in fat and rich in fruits and vegetables, which are low-fat foods and may contain fiber or vitamin A (as beta-carotene) and vitamin C, may reduce the risk of some cancers.
The next page discusses how including shirataki noodles or glucomannan supplements in your diet can help you lose weight.
Where do I find shirataki noodles?
Shirataki noodles can be purchased online at:
Many Asian food stores and natural food stores also carry shirataki noodles. A growing number of local grocery stores now carry them, often near the refrigerated bagged salad greens or tofu. Select locations of the following retailers carry shirataki noodles:
- Gelson's
- Henry's Farmers Market
- New Seasons Market
- Ralphs
- Safeway
- Sunset Foods
- Trader Joe's
- Wild Oats Natural Marketplace
Body by God; alterations by Buchwald. I love Jesus. I so so so appreciate my DS.
Otherwise, I've been able to live without them. If I want a spaghetti-like experience, I usually just go the spaghetti squash route. Nows a good time of year for it, too, since squash is in season.
on 1/8/10 4:34 am
If available, I prefer Dreamfields pasta or spaghetti squash.