TIP OF THE DAY: Pasta Without The Carbs
 Have all the noodles you want; these tofu shirataki are very low in calories. Photo courtesy House Foods. |
Why is “comfort food” high-carb food? What’s a pasta lover to do? Well, there’s spaghetti squash, and you can shred zucchini into a form that cooks up like pasta (and is delicious topped with sauce and grated cheese). And then there’s shirataki. WHAT IS SHIRATAKI? Shirataki are Japanese noodles that are very low in calories and carbohydrate (many have zero). They are thin and translucent, made from the colorfully named devil’s tongue yam (also called elephant yam or konjac yam). They are fat-free, gluten-free and soy-free. There are also varieties made from tofu, which does have soy and a modest number of calories. The Miracle Noodle brand is certified kosher by OU. The company also makes “rice” from the same yam. |
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“Shirataki” means “white waterfall” in Japanese, a term that describes the appearance of the very white yam noodles (the tofu noodles have a more pasta-like color). Largely composed of water and glucomannan, a water-soluble dietary fiber from the yam, they have little flavor of their own. But top with tomato sauce or add to a cup of broth, and you’ve got a pretty darn good pasta substitute. Like tofu (and the tofu shirataki), they easily absorb the flavors of any dish or sauce. A special benefit: The soluble fiber slows digestion and prolongs the sensation of fullness. |
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The yam-based noodles have recently been joined by tofu-based shirataki-style noodles. They require refrigeration and contain a minimal amount of carbohydrate.
Shirataki noodles can be found both in dry and “wet” forms in Asian markets, some supermarkets and online. The wet noodles, most frequently found, are packaged in liquid. There are many offerings out there. The NoOodle brand has meal starters at 20 calories per serving, that allow you to enjoy great-tasting meals without packing on the pounds. They also have 50-calorie soups. The line includes: |
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