Shirataki Noodles? NO CARBS NO CALORIES??!?!?!??

kitkat24
on 1/8/10 3:24 am

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:

 

 


 

Body by God; alterations by Buchwald.  I love Jesus.  I so so so appreciate my DS.

(deactivated member)
on 1/8/10 3:31 am - Bayonne, NJ
*convinces husband to drive her to Trader Joe's*

Wow, I gotta try these!
Janine P.
on 1/8/10 3:37 am - Long Island, NY
I've had them. They're nasty.

They're packaged in a plastic bag in a brine.  The brine is supposedly water, but it's seasoned with something, or the water is irony or something.  They taste funky.

Worth trying, because they're cheap, but I didn't like them at all.

 

Janine   Me on Youtube 

 

Julie R.
on 1/8/10 4:01 am - Ludington, MI
I have a package sitting in the fridge, waiting for me to get up the guts to eat them.   Shall I be your human guinea pig and report back this weekend?
Julie R - Ludington, Michigan
Duodenal Switch 08/09/06 - Dr. Paul Kemmeter, Grand Rapids, Michigan
HW: 282 - 5'4"
SW: 268
GW: 135
CW: 125

Renfairewench
on 1/8/10 8:28 am
YES!
 

                   HW (pre RNY) 430 HW (pre DS) 302 / SW 288 /
                          Lowest weight 157 / CW 161
GW 150
                "I'm just one stomach flu away from my goal weight"
                                       
(deactivated member)
on 1/8/10 4:07 am
I will eat almost anything, but I think these are nasty! I really wanted to like them.
Kayla B.
on 1/8/10 4:17 am - Austin, TX
I've never personally tried them.  I have heard the texture is a little weird and rubber-like.  And I've definitely heard to not cut corners when rinsing them.  Other tips I've heard are to go with the ones with tofu because it improves the texture and that they work best in asian dishes.

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.
5'9.5" | HW: 368 | SW: 353 | CW: 155 +/- 5 lbs | Angel to kkanne
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b224/icyprincess77/beforefront-1-1.jpg?t=1247239033http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b224/icyprincess77/th_CIMG39903mini.jpg  
MSCONTENT ...
on 1/8/10 4:23 am
I'm super picky, and really loved them. I plan on using them in the chicken soup unjury, when allowed.  The key is they come in a liquid that is not meant to be used, is gross and I believe strictly for preserving them. Rinse the noodles off really well. Pat dry with paper towels. Microwave I did it for 1:11 mins. Then add to broth or whatever. I only used  them sparingly. Definitely rinse well.  Taste like ramen noodles to me, a little more elastic (if you get me). I did a stir fry orange chicken w/ oriental veggies lite soy sauce. Very good when you crave chinese food.
Sahrramon
on 1/8/10 4:26 am - Atlanta, GA
I've used them..The ones that look like spagetti are better than the thicker version (sorry I don't know my pasta types).  You must rinse them well to get the preservative taste off..and then nuke in microwave for about 30 secs..

Norma

  



Amy Farrah Fowler
on 1/8/10 4:34 am
If I'm desperate for a noodle substitute, they're OK. Just Ok. I'm not crazy about the slippery feel and chewy texture, but they do absorb the flavor of marinara or soy well. They need to be rinsed really well too, and tha****er they are packed in stinks, which bothers me for some reason.

If available, I prefer Dreamfields pasta or spaghetti squash.
×