HELP... need to know a lower calorie pasta

kkm2605
kkm2605 Posts: 45 Member
edited October 7 in Food and Nutrition
Hi! I am hoping that someone out there will be able to tell me a lower calorie pasta. I purchased Catelli Healthy Harvest Whole wheat pasta, now I do not mind the taste... but there are over 300 calories in 3/4 of a cup!!! I am on a 1200 cal limit per day & that is way too many calories for me to lose in one little serving.. I am not wanting to give up pasta, but am looking for a better solution!! thanks
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Replies

  • kristin_mcconkey
    kristin_mcconkey Posts: 7 Member
    personally i think there's no winning with pasta (even thou i love it). When i eat it i either use no yolks pasta which is a cholesterol free egg white pasta, with 200 for 56g. I made this the other night and actually half this serving with a side salad was just enough. I also use tofu noodles which are both low in calories and carbs. Hope this helps!
  • kyunda
    kyunda Posts: 340 Member
    Try spaghetti squash, i love it and it has a kinda sweet taste!
  • BranMuffin21
    BranMuffin21 Posts: 157 Member
    No Yolks noodle pasta I really like and it seems a decent calorie amount. And you can use it for anything. I've done cheesey, alfredo, you could do a tomatoey type(I don't like tomatoes).
  • NKF92879
    NKF92879 Posts: 601 Member
    Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Linguini. 180 calories for 2 oz. (uncooked), not gritty, yummy!
  • Laf300
    Laf300 Posts: 3
    try tofu shirataki noodles - they aren't pasta.. but close. Hungrygirl.com has a fake fettucini alfredo recipe with them, that isn't so bad!
  • nursenikki829
    nursenikki829 Posts: 432 Member
    Try spaghetti squash, i love it and it has a kinda sweet taste!

    All the way!!! I replaced it for the whole family and they LOVE it!
  • monroe61
    monroe61 Posts: 620 Member
    Not sure where you live but Meijer brand pasta has 200 per serving but it isn't the wheat .
  • hhorncastle
    hhorncastle Posts: 84 Member
    Although I haven't tried them yet, I have a package of shirataki noodles in my fridge. Apparently they're a good substitute for pasta. I found this recipe: http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/939

    ETA: Ohh!! I'm trying this one! Fettucini alfredo-esque, for 80 calories a serving? Yeah!

    http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/249
  • Gemmageldmacher
    Gemmageldmacher Posts: 45 Member
    We recently found these "Miracle Noodles" (you can google them). They are made from some root in Japan. They are interesting - kind of have a weird smell right out of the bag, but once you rinse them it goes away. They are a little chewy, but otherwise I've found them to be a more than acceptable substitute. Best thing about them: 0 cal and 0 carbs per serving! They do have a little fiber in them as well. Worst thing is that they are a little expensive, but I would think they are worth a try for you!
  • Mommy2boys1girl
    Mommy2boys1girl Posts: 33 Member
    I have been using Ronzoni Smart Taste Thin Spaghetti. It is 170 per serving.
  • sziemba1
    sziemba1 Posts: 34
    Try using spaghetti squash. The carbs in pasta is what is killing you.
  • Heididove
    Heididove Posts: 1 Member
    The Ronzoni Smart Taste pastas only have 170 calories in one serving (2oz) and it tastes great! I even have half a serving to save on cals and it's enough with a chicken sausage and light sauce to fill me up for a bit.
  • shanahtehya
    shanahtehya Posts: 50 Member
    I have not tried them yet but I read that Shirataki noodles can be used instead of pasta, they are 20 cal a serving.
    here is a link for some recipes

    http://www.miraclenoodle.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=a64f9ec33c6040e3300e0652039d7974

    you can buy them in the Asian section or Asian grocery.
    I plan on trying them this weekend.
  • regthelittleone
    regthelittleone Posts: 95
    I use Dreamfields pasta ( low carb too) & taste just like regular pasta :D
  • guppygirl322
    guppygirl322 Posts: 408 Member
    I just use regular pasta and bulk it up with tons of fresh veggies.
  • MistyGo
    MistyGo Posts: 7 Member
    Fiber Gourmet. And it tastes great. http://www.fibergourmet.com/Default.aspx also google fiber gourmet cupon codes you usually can find 20% off and free shipping
  • ldalbello
    ldalbello Posts: 207 Member
    I love Catelli pasta. I cook it up and add lots of frozen veggies and mix with Salsa so you don't need alot of pasta.
  • LoreleiWalks
    LoreleiWalks Posts: 143 Member
    Try spaghetti squash, i love it and it has a kinda sweet taste!

    Yes! If you're looking for a great spaghetti squash recipe, try this one for BAKED SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH BEEF AND VEGETABLES from allrecipes.com (I substitute Italian chicken sausage or ground for the beef, and it comes out to under 300 calories per serving.)

    http://allrecipes.com/recipe/baked-spaghetti-squash-with-beef-and-veggies/detail.aspx
  • meghan_cr
    meghan_cr Posts: 29
    Agree with the spaghetti squash recommendation.

    I also julienne dice zucchini and mix it in with linguine noodles so you still have the same shape, but less pasta and some added veggies! I also love adding sliced cremini mushrooms because they are filling too.

    For me pasta is a calorie killer so I eat is sparingly now!
  • cweiler4
    cweiler4 Posts: 374 Member
    Al Dente Carba Nada brand is around 140 cals for 1 1/2 cups and 24 carbs per serving. They come in all different flavors, egg noodles, lemon pepper, roasted garlic, etc.... They are pretty tasty too!!

    Try Spaghetti squash as well.....It super yummy!!
  • CMmrsfloyd
    CMmrsfloyd Posts: 2,380 Member
    What helps me out with the pasta issue is actually using a smaller amount of pasta and then adding veggies and chicken to the dish so I get a higher volume of food. The main thing I crave about pasta dishes is not actually the pasta, but the tomato-y cheese-y goodness, so I can sometimes use less pasta and add those extra veggies and be just as satisfied.

    I'm sitting here right now with a bowl of tofu shirataki noodles, they've been sitting in my fridge for awhile and I'm just now trying them, and I'm not impressed. I have no sense of smell so that's not the problem, it's the texture. They are rubbery and just odd. Not loving it.
  • artcaro1972
    artcaro1972 Posts: 42
    Fiber Gourmet. And it tastes great. http://www.fibergourmet.com/Default.aspx also google fiber gourmet cupon codes you usually can find 20% off and free shipping

    I second this.

    I like the shirataki noodles in Asian soups and stir-fries but they are SO different from pasta noodles! Would you put spaghetti sauce on ramen noodles? *shiver* For Italian recipes, I recommend Fiber Gourmet!
  • Dawna954
    Dawna954 Posts: 183 Member
    I use either rice pasta or spelt pasta. Both are good choices but watch the cooking time especially with the rice pasta as it cooks much quicker than wheat pasta. Also, make sure you rinse it well. Bon Appetite!
  • raige123
    raige123 Posts: 352
    Try spaghetti squash, i love it and it has a kinda sweet taste!

    ^^^ THIS!!! ^^^ Totally has replaced pasta for me and I was a pastaholic! I cook mine in the microwave and put high fibre pasta sauce on it ... it's 89 calories for a cup and tastes just like spaghetti only has a slight crunch! :)
  • stylistchik
    stylistchik Posts: 1,436 Member
    shirataki noodles are really low cal but also don't offer much nutrition. You can find them next to the tofu in most grocery large stores. Good if you mix them with regular pasta, though, can eat the same amount for 1/2 the calories. Spaghetti squash is another good substitute. that way you're getting more vitamins too!
  • robinxhope
    robinxhope Posts: 125 Member
    Miracle noodles. tofu noodles, make your own noodles out of vegetables, or spaghetti squash. If I do eat pasta I get a whole wheat variety because your body digests it slower and thus less, and I use a measuring cup or scale to make sure I don't overdo it. Another trick someone else mentioned too was to bulk up the sauce with veggies, spices and lean meat.
  • TAC2413
    TAC2413 Posts: 27 Member
    Miracle noodle would be worth a try- 0 calories per serving.
  • onefitdiva
    onefitdiva Posts: 331 Member
    Try spaghetti squash, i love it and it has a kinda sweet taste!

    Yep....^^^^ what she said.
  • emily2975
    emily2975 Posts: 45 Member
    300 calories isn't overly high if it is your biggest meal of the day and if you're doing exercise as well! If you pair it with a low calorie tomato sauce and/or some steamed veggies, it isn't unreasonable to have a meal that is 350 or so... if you're on 1,200 calories per day, you could have 3 meals that were 350 calories and still have 150 for some light snacks! Chances are your other meals would usually be under 350 so that means even more room for snacks/beverages.

    Also, don't forget about exercise!! The 1,200 calories is based on sitting at your desk and doing minimal movement each day...if you are exercising (even walking makes a difference!) you'll have more calories available to eat if you choose to!

    If you like pasta, I say find a way to make it work for you and your goals! :)
  • lukeout007
    lukeout007 Posts: 1,237 Member
    The Shirataki noodles are an idea I've seen a lot. I need to try them. Also the squash idea...I've seen people make fettucine out of zucchini. I've tried the Ronzoni Healthy Harvest (I think that's what its called) and the Barilla Plus which are both pretty good and have a fairly low calorie count.

    However...in my mind the squash and zucchini ideas just don't replace pasta (even though I haven't tried them it just doesn't sound appetizing). If you do the Ronzoni or Barilla it's still a fairly high amount of calories compared to the amount you actually get to eat (I can't eat just 1 serving of pasta. No way)

    The Shirataki noodles though...I think they are pretty low cal and supposedly fantastic. I may try them this week.
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