Any thoughts? Buzzy Noodle from Japan Boasts Zero Carbs, Zer

KendraElmendorf

http://shine.yahoo.com/shine-food/buzz-y-noodle-japan-boasts-zero-carbs-zero-231600298.html

'Tis the season for over indulgence, but soon visions of sugar plums will be crowded out by New Year's resolutions to cut calories and lose the cookie belly. Is it possible to have your cake, or at least your pasta, and eat it too?
Related: Miracle diet drug in the works. For real this time?
Shirataki noodles from Japan contain zero calories and zero carbs and are gaining a following amongst flab fighters around the country as a miracle alternative to traditional pasta. Lisa Lillien, who writes the popular "Hungry Girl" newsletter, is one of the product's biggest boosters in the United States and endorses the variety made by House of Foods brand.
The noodles, which come in lots of familiar shapes such as spaghetti, angel hair, and fettuccini, are made of water and fiber from a plant called konjac yam instead of from wheat flour. They are naturally calorie- and carb-free, because the fiber they contain is not absorbed by the body. Tofu shirataki, a type made from soybeans and yam flour has about 20 calories and three grams of carbohydrates per serving.
But how do they actually taste? I boiled some up and tossed with a modest glug of olive oil and sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. The eyes play a big role in our enjoyment of food, and the fettuccine variety looked delicious. The flavor was a little less decadent (let's be realistic though, we're talking calorie-free yam fiber and water, not cheese grits).

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If you are craving a true, Italian-style pasta, the texture of shirataki might be disappointing. They have a slightly gelatinous mouth feel similar to an Asian rice noodle. They work well in soups where they make a good substitute for egg noodles or you can pat dry with paper towels and stir-fry. The flavor is completely neutral so, if the texture is not off putting, they pair with almost any sauce. Shirataki are also a snap to cook. The noodles are packaged in plastic bags suspended in liquid: just rinse and boil for 2-3 minutes before using.
But, you can't survive on shirataki-no calories or carbs also means no nutritive food value. And, if you are not used to eating a lot of fiber, try a small serving first, or you risk gastric upset (there is a good reason that they are referred to as a "broom for the stomach" in Japan). Shirataki are inexpensive and available in the refrigerator section of a growing number of stores, including Asian markets, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's. For hardcore calorie- and carb-counters, they are worth a try.

meganld

I've been wanting to try these! Didn't know they had them at TJ's, I'll have to look next time I'm there!

hello77kitty

Love them! I prefer the Tofu Shirataki ones, but the original isn't bad either.

KendraElmendorf

Hmmm. i might have to try them out then

aab2011

I think I will have to try!

rosebarnalice

just a warning: some people don't like them because they have a rubbery texture somewhat like calamari, and when you open the package they smell like fish. But just rinse them well before heating them up.

Personally, I really like them! But I cut them into smaller pieces before cooking because the long noodles in that rubbery consistency is a bit much for me.

rosebarnalice

One more thing: don't get suckered in to paying out the wazoo for these. I get them at a local asian market for about $1.19 a package.

wriglucy

We tried those miracle noodles. The "Shirataki noodles from Japan contain zero calories and zero carbs and are gaining a following amongst flab fighters around the country as a miracle alternative to traditional pasta." They made us gag. They had no taste, which is fine so you can add your own sauce. But they were SLIMEY!! Gross!

If you want to try them, I say try just 1 bag first. My husband found a deal online for them and bought a box of them (like 12 bags), and we couldn't even finish the 1 we tried.

rudegyal_b

loooove tofu shirataki

CrystalMarie253

I so wanna try this! THANK YOU for sharing!

gigiangelique

or you can just take konjac root 30 min before eating and you get full super fast

virginiejaubin

The smell...chimical bad! The taste ...nothing, texture 0%, Bought some, having a hard time finishing my order. The only good point is that I eat them instead of pasta. If you try them, make sure that you have a good pasta sauce to cover the texture.