Upset stomach after shirataki noodles?

Hi all,

Last night I was suuuuper hungry for dinner but already had a huge sandwich for lunch, so I decided to go the low-calorie route and have tofu-shirataki noodles instead of regular wheat pasta. I had two packages of the shirataki noodles (I regularly eat one package at time w/ no issues, this wasn't my first time having them), but I woke up at 5 am this morning with a stomach ache and it hasn't gone away yet. :( I'm not nauseous and don't have gas or diarrhea, but I just have no appetite and my stomach hurts and feels bloated. I had a cup of coffee, some Pepto, and a few sips of milk today, and don't feel like eating a meal.

Has this happened to anyone before? I think it's the noodles that did it, because I generally feel OK except for the stomach ache and appetite loss (I don't have that general crappy feeling you get with a virus or food poisoning). This was not my first time eating shirataki nootles, but it was my first time eating two packages in one meal.

Thanks!
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Replies

  • Naomi852021
    Naomi852021 Posts: 18 Member
    So...a couple of years ago I overdosed on shiritaki noodles. I thought I had finally found the answer to all my troubles and I would never be hungry again in my life. So one day I completely over did it. I probably had around 4 packets...I felt so nauseous, I haven't touched them again since. I think it's the cognac flour water stuff they come in. I have been sick from many foods in my life, but the shiritaki noodles disaster really left a bad taste in my mouth. I feel sick just writing and thinking about it now..

    That fishy smell when you take them out of their packet...

    I think that some people just have weird reactions to them. I hope you feel better soon.
  • KarlynKeto
    KarlynKeto Posts: 323 Member
    Oh wow, I bought some but have yet to cook and try them yet. You guys are scaring me! I didn't realize I may need to use a sauce made of Pepto :wink:
  • pastaismyundoing
    pastaismyundoing Posts: 5 Member
    Haha, they're not that bad. I've eaten them on many occasions (just one pack at a time though) and never had any problems. Just rinse them really well, dry them, and don't expect them to be like real pasta and you should be fine. If you're nervous about trying them just do half the package and see how you like them. They're a bit rubbery compared to wheat noodles and have almost no flavor, and I think they go better with Asian-style dishes where you might use rice noodles rather than Italian-style dishes.

    I think I just kind of overdosed on them too and my guts are paying the price. While they are palatable if prepared right, they're about as digestible as sawdust.
  • KarlynKeto
    KarlynKeto Posts: 323 Member
    Haha, they're not that bad. I've eaten them on many occasions (just one pack at a time though) and never had any problems. Just rinse them really well, dry them, and don't expect them to be like real pasta and you should be fine. If you're nervous about trying them just do half the package and see how you like them. They're a bit rubbery compared to wheat noodles and have almost no flavor, and I think they go better with Asian-style dishes where you might use rice noodles rather than Italian-style dishes.

    I think I just kind of overdosed on them too and my guts are paying the price. While they are palatable if prepared right, they're about as digestible as sawdust.

    I hope you feel better soon, at least you know you won't do that again :wink: . I am still nervous to try them now, but thanks for the heads up on how to prepare them. I really had no idea how to prep them, hence why they are still in my pantry.
  • KarlynKeto
    KarlynKeto Posts: 323 Member
    CrabNebula wrote: »
    All it is is water and indigestible fiber. If you don't have a lot of fiber in your diet normally, then probably eating a bunch of it at once, no matter the source, will cause you to have digestive problems until you get used to it.

    Fiber One bars are delicious...but eating a whole box is yeah...

    I eat a surprising amount of fiber for being Keto, but I will keep this in mind and start SMALL!
  • Queenmunchy
    Queenmunchy Posts: 3,380 Member
    I can have 1/2 a package at the most at a time because of the stomach aches.
  • pastaismyundoing
    pastaismyundoing Posts: 5 Member
    CrabNebula wrote: »
    All it is is water and indigestible fiber. If you don't have a lot of fiber in your diet normally, then probably eating a bunch of it at once, no matter the source, will cause you to have digestive problems until you get used to it.

    Fiber One bars are delicious...but eating a whole box is yeah...

    That's the thing though - I eat a really high-fiber diet! I try to exceed the daily recommendation of fiber because I'm hypothyroid and have a severe problem with things "slowing down" when I don't eat a lot of fiber. I think this time I outdid myself though. :\
  • Queenmunchy
    Queenmunchy Posts: 3,380 Member
    They call Konjac "the broom of the stomach" for a reason. Lol
  • pastaismyundoing
    pastaismyundoing Posts: 5 Member
    Ugghhh lesson learned. I did manage to eat something but my stomach still hurts (the food made it hurt a bit more).
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I've never had an issue..
  • kathrynjean_
    kathrynjean_ Posts: 428 Member
    How did you cook them? That fishy smelling water they come in is a preservative called calcium hydroxide that could potentially cause stomach upset if the noodles are not rinsed and drained properly.
  • pastaismyundoing
    pastaismyundoing Posts: 5 Member
    I just rinsed them under hot water for a couple minutes and let them drain thoroughly. Then I just at them with pasta sauce and meatballs (normally I do Asian sauces with shirataki noodles). At least my stomach is feeling better now though...
  • kathrynjean_
    kathrynjean_ Posts: 428 Member
    Glad you're feeling better! I always boil mine for a few minutes before I put them in a stir fry or add sauce. Maybe something to try next time? (If you're ever planning on eating them again, that is!)
  • 77hays
    77hays Posts: 1 Member
    I had half a bag (rinsed and dry fried) with a stir-fry, woke up next morning with a bad gut ache, burning sensation. Bloating got worse during the day. 2nd day now with a gut ache & boating. I'll be throwing the rest of the Miracle Noodles in the garbage. It's not worth feeling this bad.
  • Momepro
    Momepro Posts: 1,509 Member
    edited January 2018
    It's possible it wasn't the noodles at all, just randomly hit with a tummy bug, that night. Personally, I am afraid to eat them because I'm extremely sensitive to tofu and soy stuff and would probably be sick for hours, but with me it happens to minites after eating, not hours. Next couple time you eat them, log amount and time, and see if it happens again. And maybe don't eat so much fibery food in one sitting.
  • Obito_U
    Obito_U Posts: 1 Member
    I know this is an old post but I agree with the original poster. I've been eating these under the "Skinny Pasta" brand since Saturday. I had 2 packs yesterday 9 calories per pack and my stomach is in pain! I woke up in the middle of the night with this pain and almost called out of work. I thought I found the solution to deal with my pasta cravings because these were low in calories and these noodles dont stink like the others but I dont think I can deal with this pain again its back to zucchini noodles for me.
  • RelCanonical
    RelCanonical Posts: 3,882 Member
    CrabNebula wrote: »
    All it is is water and indigestible fiber. If you don't have a lot of fiber in your diet normally, then probably eating a bunch of it at once, no matter the source, will cause you to have digestive problems until you get used to it.

    Fiber One bars are delicious...but eating a whole box is yeah...

    I have done this. Dear god I will never make that mistake again.

  • ggakame
    ggakame Posts: 2 Member
    I just experience the same and still feeling sick. How do you manage to get better? Did you go to the doctor?
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    I just experience the same and still feeling sick. How do you manage to get better? Did you go to the doctor?

    Have you tried drinking lots of water? Drinking coffee? Eating some fat? (might help things move along a bit easier?)
  • ggakame
    ggakame Posts: 2 Member
    edited August 2018
    I just experience the same and still feeling sick. How do you manage to get better? Did you go to the doctor?

    Have you tried drinking lots of water? Drinking coffee? Eating some fat? (might help things move along a bit easier?)

    I drunk a lot of water. But I'm afraid of eating, just had some fruit. Thanks for the suggestions.
  • Sp1tfire
    Sp1tfire Posts: 1,120 Member
    I had the same experience. Spent quite a while in the bathroom. Not worth the calories saved
  • kros1997
    kros1997 Posts: 2 Member
    Adding to this post way late but I had about 1 and 2/3 packages last night and woke up at 5am feeling like I was going to throw up...and it’s Thanksgiving! I’m so bummed. I’ve felt nauseous all day but never actually got sick. Coke and water has minimally helped
  • kros1997
    kros1997 Posts: 2 Member
    I knew something was wrong when I ate around 8pm and woke up at 5am with a bloated stomach 😓 feeling awful and will never eat this again
  • amberperrier
    amberperrier Posts: 1 Member
    Can’t believe these noodles are the reason behind my stomach nightmare. Had the noodles on the Sunday before thanksgiving and literally had to go to the hospital due to the vomiting and other stomach issues. Assumed it was a horrible stomach virus or even suspected E.Coli. After being out of commission for 10 days finally started eating again and had the noodles last night and my stomach is in shambles again! It all makes sense. So sad as these noodles were literally my go to many days of the week.
  • angelicachadwick
    angelicachadwick Posts: 1 Member
    OMGoodness I’m so glad I found this post! This absolutely happened to me yesterday and I have been miserable for over 24 hours self diagnosing myself with things I don’t want to list because they all scared me. I’ve had the noodles before but yesterday I had two packages on an empty stomach. It was so good and I was so happy that these two packages only added up to 20 calories and no carbs! Well boy oh boy did I pay the price! I was up all night - kept feeling like I needed to throw up. Found another article with a warning from an Australian doctor when his 61 year old patient ate them on an empty stomach and her stomach swelled to more than 4 times the size and blocked her up for 10 days. Good gravy! Don’t eat too much at one time. And don’t eat them on an empty stomach! Bummer :(( if it’s too good to be true it probably is.
  • meximami1
    meximami1 Posts: 15 Member
    edited June 2019
    i found both the fettuccine type and spaghetti type. the first fettuccine type was merely palatable but the other two times *one fettuccine and one spaghetti* were both horrible. this lead me to having zucchini noodles *as pathetic of a replacement of regular pasta would be, whenever i'm cr :s aving pasta. which means i have no valid comparison anymore. i'll never buy them again . ever.*
  • frandamby
    frandamby Posts: 1 Member
    I have had 2 mornings of late where I wake up about 4-5am and have to run to the bathroom. The nausea wakes me up and the vomit was basically like pouring the just opened packet down the loo!
    It’s only now it’s happened twice I know it’s these noodles (the BareNaked protein ones). Never again!!
    Seems like it happens to a many people...
  • nytrifisoul
    nytrifisoul Posts: 499 Member
    Im not surprised. I got an upset stomach just opening the bag and smelling those snot noodles.
  • LyndaBSS
    LyndaBSS Posts: 6,964 Member
    edited November 2019
    You might not be preparing them correctly.

    First, pour into a colander and rinse with cold water until you can’t smell them. Let water drain.

    Then, pour into a skillet on medium heat and dry cook (no oil, no butter, no nothing) until they appear dry, stirring them often. Set aside.

    Make whatever sauce you’re going to use them with. I usually do sausage, onions, garlic and 1/4 cup spaghetti or pizza sauce.

    When sauce is ready, pour noodles into the sauce and mix well. Top with grated parmesan cheese.

    Delicious and no stomach issues. 🥘