Love pasta but not the carbs? Then Shirataki noodles may be what you are looking for!
The origin of shirataki noodles is
linked to ancient Japanese traditions. Traditional konjac yam is the main ingredient used to make these noodles. They’re a nutritious delicacy low in calories and carbohydrates. Water and glucomannan, a water-soluble pre-biotic fiber, are also used to make shirataki noodles. The fiber is easily identifiable by its pure white color. In addition to noodles made solely from konjac, you will also find some that combine it with tofu.
According to
Medical News Today, some potential health benefits associated with the konjac yam and shirataki noodles include:
- Diabetes management
- Weight management
- Improved cholesterol
- Constipation relief
- Healthy skin
- Wound healing
Healthline reports similar benefits, but also notes that for some people, or when eaten in excess, the increased fiber can cause digestive issues such as bloating or loose bowels. If you are new to shirataki (or any food with high glucomannan levels for that matter), it is best to introduce them to your diet slowly.
How to Cook Shirataki Noodles to Remove the Slimy Texture
Steven Gundry MD shows how to prepare shirataki noodles for your favorite recipes. | Courtesy of Steven Gundry Podcast
Shirataki noodles are used in various recipes and come in different flavors. You will be amazed by the number of flavors you can bring out in your dish depending on your choice of ingredients. If you are an adventurous cook trying out new recipes, you can never go wrong with shirataki noodles. It feels great to be able to prepare delicious meals using shirataki noodles.
Since they take a short time to prepare, shirataki noodles are ideal for the busy modern man or woman. They come pre-cooked so that you can prepare a nutritious and delicious meal in no time without compromising your efforts to eat healthy. All you need is an
electric kettle or
whistling kettle for boiling water, a mixing bowl and something to stir with to prepare your favorite meal. You can also have it as a snack without worrying about adding more calories to the weight you’re already struggling to lose.
If you’re looking to lose weight the healthy way, a diet of shirataki noodles is the way to go because it’s low in carbs and calories, but rich in digestible fibers. Most shirataki noodles (double check specific products) are also good for people on:
- keto diets
- paleo diets
- low carb diets
- diabetic diets
- vegan diets
- vegetarian diets
- gluten free diets
Or anyone simply looking for a grain-free substitute for pasta. There are also some that are also certified Kosher. Despite being pre-cooked, shirataki noodles are nutritious and can be kept frozen for future use. We hope that this guide can help you choose the right shirataki noodles for you.
By the way, after we completed our review, we found a newcomer on the block,
Hethstia Shirataki Konjac Noodles. As of this writing, they are a #1 new release, but only have fettuccine shirataki noodles.
Important Information about Ratings for Shirataki Noodles
When choosing a shirataki noodle, it is important to look at the actual comments people leave, not just the overall rating. Why is this?
While shirataki noodles are a fantastic option for people who want to switch from grain-based pastas, they are not the same. As a result, you will often see lower ratings done by people who are comparing them to a traditional pasta, which skews the final ratings. Another thing that many people “score low” is the distinct smell when you first open the package. This is unavoidable because of what these pasta alternatives are made from.
For example,
Miracle Noodle is one of the best-selling brands of Shirataki noodles and rice on Amazon, but it only has a 3-star rating at the time of this writing.
The most informative reviews (both positive and negative) will not only provide specific information, but they will also give details of how a particular brand compares to other brands of shirataki noodles. As such, you may see some of our top picks with ratings that on initial inspection seem lower than you would expect. However, you can trust that we did our research and chose noodles that come highly recommended by people who are familiar with shirataki noodles — with realistic expectations on how they compare!
By the way, the same principle holds true if you are looking for more traditional gluten free pastas. Yes, there are brands like
Tinkyada rice pastas that are almost impossible to tell apart from regular pastas (when cooked correctly), while ones that are made from corn tend to have a different texture.
Whether you need a snack to support your weight loss efforts or a healthy alternative to your favorite pasta, there’s one out there to meet your specific needs. We hope that with our review of five of the top shirataki noodle brands, you’ll be in a position to pick the right shirataki noodles to suit your personal taste and preference. If you need something different, check out our other noodle reviews.
Also known as konjac noodles (or miracle noodles, but this is really a brand name — kind of like when we call all bandages bandaids), shirataki noodles are a low-carb version of pasta. They are made from glucomannan, a fiber coming from the root of a yam-like Japanese plant called konjac. The noodles are low in calories, with no digestible carbs, making them the perfect keto-friendly alternative to high-carb pasta.
You can get good shirataki noodles by ordering them from most online platforms out there; however, Amazon offers a wider array of options you can choose from. The prices are also a little more standard with a relatively more reliable delivery service.
Often, shirataki noodles would come pre-prepared with individual instructions at the back of the packaging. Usually, they will tell you to rinse, drain, boil, then dry them on your stove. However, you are advised to make sure you rinse them thoroughly (5 times at least) and dry them fully. You can then fry them in a non-stick fan, adding sauce and other spices to get your desired flavor. We have detailed instructions and recipes in our buying guide.
