Pasta.......

abnerner
abnerner Posts: 452 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I am a pasta junky, but the calories are just sooo high.

Any suggestions on lower calorie pasta choices?

Replies

  • keystoneman
    keystoneman Posts: 9
    Spaghetti Squash - try it!
  • hauer01
    hauer01 Posts: 516 Member
    I recently tried Spaghetti Squash instead of noodles. I baked the squash, pulled out the meat like spaghetti (with a fork). Then added a marinara. It was really good! It is not quite the same as noddles, but it is a good substitute once in a while. I also make Mini Lasagna's (using a muffin pan) and I used egg roll wraps instead of noodles. All of the saucy goodness in the lasagna made the wraps the same texture as noodles. It was very close in texture and consistancy. I gave a mini lasagna to a friend (without teling him that there was no Pasta in it) and he loved it. He couldn't believe it when I told him later that those weren't noodles.
  • sweetnlow30
    sweetnlow30 Posts: 497 Member
    I have yet to try spaghetti squash because I can't seem to find it in the store but I do want to try it. When I eat pasta I choose catelli smart which is white pasta enriched with fiber. I usually have half a serving (150cals) and I load my sauce with lots of veggies so it becomes very filling for a reasonable amount of calories.
  • iNkedFiTmama
    iNkedFiTmama Posts: 277 Member
    whole wheat noodles? not sure if you've tried those.. I only like plain ol spaghetti noodles in the whole wheat version.. I've tried the spiral noodles and they tasted funny to me.
  • medaglia_06
    medaglia_06 Posts: 282 Member
    miracle noodles

    http://www.miraclenoodle.com/default.aspx
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    Personally, I don't think 210 calories for a serving is 'high calorie'. I usually just plan it into my day... and I eat A LOT of pasta!

    Maybe try smaller portions of pasta and add more veggies/lean meats to whatever dish you're making with the pasta?
  • lmalaschak
    lmalaschak Posts: 346 Member
    I feel your pain. I would eat pasta every day if I could. I just don't have it as often right now, and when I make it I make sure to measure how much I am using and only cook that amount. Otherwise....not good. I have a couple of soup recipes that use a bit of pasta and they are lower in calories than, say, making a giant pot of spaghetti and meatballs. *sigh*
  • jpantlik
    jpantlik Posts: 4 Member
    I've mixed the whole wheat noodles with the plain old noodles as I don't care for the whole wheat by themself. It seems to break up the heavy texture of the whole wheat and I feel less guilty:)
  • jenlarz
    jenlarz Posts: 813 Member
    I like the thin wheat spaghetti. Some of the thicker wheat pastas seem chewier, but might be ok in a baked pasta. When I eat it I just plan around fitting it in :)
  • devilwhiterose
    devilwhiterose Posts: 1,157 Member
    I made that spaghetti squash once and it wasn't good, but it was my first time making it. The "noodles" were almost crunchy, did I not bake it long enough? I really tried to like it, honest! lol
  • SiltyPigeon
    SiltyPigeon Posts: 920 Member
    Ronzoni Smart Taste Noodles are lower than most in calories (not by a lot, but every bit counts!). Limit yourself to one portion (use a scale to measure) and pair it with a lot of steamed vegetables. Watch your sauce portions, too. Red sauce is healthier and lower in calories than white sauce.

    There is no reason to give it up.... just practice portion control!
  • monicaroozo
    monicaroozo Posts: 200
    Personally, I don't think 210 calories for a serving is 'high calorie'. I usually just plan it into my day... and I eat A LOT of pasta!

    Maybe try smaller portions of pasta and add more veggies/lean meats to whatever dish you're making with the pasta?

    I agree - I love pasta and breads so I have made the decision to to work them into my count.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I made that spaghetti squash once and it wasn't good, but it was my first time making it. The "noodles" were almost crunchy, did I not bake it long enough? I really tried to like it, honest! lol

    It does sound like you need to bake it just a little longer.
  • Kellster30
    Kellster30 Posts: 63 Member
    I can't cut pasta out of my diet...I love it too much! Instead, I just do some extra exercise to allow me extra calories for the day!
  • lmalaschak
    lmalaschak Posts: 346 Member
    I personally like the chewiness of whole wheat pasta...I like it all! And if it's an exercise day I can eat a bit more of it. Score!
  • JeSuisPrest
    JeSuisPrest Posts: 2,005 Member
    I refuse to give it up, in fact I eat pasta quite often. Check out www.skinnytaste.com for recipes!
  • Toninbremen
    Toninbremen Posts: 12
    Looooove spaghetti squash! Make it about once a week or so..... It's so fun to do too! I looked on youtube how to make it the first time. Walmart even sells it!
    1 cup of spaghetti squash has about 45 cals and only 4 carbs where reg pasta in just 2 oz has 200 ish cals and over 40 carbs.
  • Dare2Believe
    Dare2Believe Posts: 140 Member
    I tried the spaghetti squash to...not my cup of tea & I love veggies. I do like the thin whole wheat spaghetti noodles when I want to eat "real" pasta.
  • nillapup
    nillapup Posts: 204 Member
    I eat dreamfields pasta or barrilo whole wheat pasta.. luv them both and I am a tru pasta junky
  • commonly_unique
    commonly_unique Posts: 27
    Oh man, now I want mac & cheese.

    I'm a pasta junkie as well, and absolutely refuse to give it up. I don't think I should have to give up the stuff I love, it will obly make me miserable.

    I just go for smaller portions of whole wheat pasta, or Tofu Shirataki noodles and load up on veggies! Broccoli, beans, peas, carrots...and keep the sauce to a minimum. A tablespoon of flavored olive oil (mushroom and sage is my favorite) and my meal is filling, good for me, and doesn't make me feel guilty in the calorie department.
  • chaitrex
    chaitrex Posts: 94 Member
    Zucchini noodles! I've tried spaghetti squash, and even though zucchini noodles are more work, I like them better. They're absolutely delicious. I usually make half a serving of pasta, and then throw a lot of zucchini noodles in at the end. Size-wise, it would be about 500 or 600 calories of pasta..but it's just 150 or so of zucchini and pasta. They're really good with garlic and olive oil!
    http://www.asweetpeachef.com/pasta/how-to-make-zucchini-noodles/
    I personally don't love whole wheat pasta, but I've heard that brown rice pasta's quite good. The calorie count is similar to regular pasta though, and you can get the extra protein and fiber from whatever you top your pasta with.

    Other than that, I love pasta, and usually just try and make a half/portion of it and load it broccoli, fresh tomatoes, asparagus, mushrooms, squash, tofu, chicken, etc. For sauce, I'll use low-fat tomato, a little olive oil with basil and lemon juice, or I'll use ground turkey or chicken to make a healthy bolognese. I feel like there's nothing wrong with eating pasta, as long as you watch your portion size.
  • graysmom2005
    graysmom2005 Posts: 1,882 Member
    If you go to Whole Foods or an Asian Market they have the shirataki noodles which have no calories or carbs. You can also buy the "Miracle Noodle" brand which is the exact same thing but very pricey. I had some with turkey breast bolognese sauce last night and it was delicious!
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Personally, I don't think 210 calories for a serving is 'high calorie'. I usually just plan it into my day... and I eat A LOT of pasta!

    Maybe try smaller portions of pasta and add more veggies/lean meats to whatever dish you're making with the pasta?

    Same. I tried spaghetti squash... meh. I tried miracle noodles... meh. I'd rather budget real pasta into my calories or have half a serving with a LOT of extra veggies mixed in.
  • mrsjennifermaffei
    mrsjennifermaffei Posts: 469
    Exercise more...that is the only advice I have as I would never substitute my beloved pasta lol. Maybe the sauce though, check into a healthier sauce option?
  • lsilly15
    lsilly15 Posts: 137 Member
    I am a pasta junky, but the calories are just sooo high.

    Any suggestions on lower calorie pasta choices?

    you and me chica. i loove pasta.
  • kotek11
    kotek11 Posts: 2 Member
    I'm a pasta junkie too, lol. I've recently tried whole wheat pastas. Give it a go :)
  • kimiel51
    kimiel51 Posts: 299 Member
    I like the whole grain version better than the whole wheat!
  • abnerner
    abnerner Posts: 452 Member
    My sauce is not to bad, as I make homeade. But it's just the actual noodles that get me. I am thinking of trying the Miracle Noodles though. But I have read they aren't as good with italian as with asian.
  • J3s3i3
    J3s3i3 Posts: 3 Member
    Maybe try spinach noodles. I'm not sure if they have less calories. I think it depends on the brand, but some have more protein in them.
  • gldnlark
    gldnlark Posts: 53
    I too used to mix regular and whole grain pasta... I love the spinach spaghetti, but it's not easy to find. Our Kroger's stopped carrying it. 'Gonna try mixing all 3... I am also a pasta junkie, but am floored by how high in calories it is since joining this site!

    A

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