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    Buzzy Noodle from Japan Boasts Zero Carbs, Zero Calories

    Photo: Getty imagesPhoto: Getty images'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).

    undefinedIf 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.

    Related links:

    6 ways to save money at the grocery store

    Hungry Girl's Tips for Guilt Free Eating and Building and Info Empire

    How Long Does Food Retain its Nutritional Value?

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    • Naomi  •  Boston, Massachusetts  •  5 months ago
      You never eat Shirataki noodles plain, in Japan or go to a Japanese Restaurant in U.S., try
      Sukiyaki Beef, in it, there is some Shirataki noodles with thin sliced beef, tofu, green onions, nappa cabbage, shiitake mashrooms etc with delicious soy sauce base broth (must use Japanese soy sauce-naturally brewed like Kikkoman sauce and it has a right flavor, not all soy sauce are made same or fravored same.) add with rice wine and little brown sugar, that way, you can enjoy Shirataki noodles in
      most delicious way, great food in winter, put in a large iron pot and cooking right on the table, eat with Japanese rice (fluffy and sticky) and share with your family or friends, again, never eat plain or uncooked.
      Native Japanese authentic way to eat Shirataki noodles
      • momo 5 months ago
        Shame on you for making me drool all over my keyboard! :)
      • Christina 5 months ago
        mmmmm...I love Japanese food!
      • Jin 5 months ago
        KIKKOMAN soy sauce contains MSG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Contralto2b  •  5 months ago
      I like spaghetti squash myself - low cal and works well with pasta sauce. Good way to get veggies.
      • Kashmir, coffeegod 5 months ago
        Amen! I love spaghetti squash. Very overlooked vegetable.
      • Star 5 months ago
        YUM! One of my most fav pasta replacements, and it actually resolves the crave and tastes better, to me.
      • Junkyard Cat 5 months ago
        Right on, sister!
    • 'Great White'-Sha ...  •  4 months ago
      What noodles are all that bad for us, assuming we are not over eating noodles?? But, if there are bad things, other than carbs. And calories, what about the other bad things?? What are they inserting into the noodles, to make sure customers continue to eat the noodles?? What they insert in the noodles, that was not in the noodles with previous versions, to make sure customers continue to eat the noodles and yet, remain zero carbs. And zero calories noodles??? What they insert in the noodles, that was not in the noodles with previous versions, can be lies to the noodles claims to be and dangerous to customers' health.
      • Jim 3 months ago
        They are inserting chemicals and devices to control your mind. IDI0T!
      • 'Great White'-Sha ... 3 months ago
        Actually, I am a Organic, Vegan and Low Sugar eater!! Thanks for asking- Sarcasm!!
    • Wronda  •  5 months ago
      I am a diabetic...type 2...and I can't wait to try them!
      • The Other 5 months ago
        I am a type 2 also, their tasteless, and slimy so i added some mini peppers, spinich, parm cheese, mushooms and a flavored sauce made from arrowroot, at least they had some substance and i wasn't hungry after wards.
      • Kart Wheel Manatee 5 months ago
        I use mine in spaghetti soup and it's awesome! So while my family has spaghetti...I can too!
      • kevin 5 months ago
        stop trolling
    • Meya P  •  5 months ago
      I say if you aren't dieting, then of course the idea of these may now sound the most appealing, comparable to your regular, high-carb, high-calorie pasta; however, if you are on whatever low-carb and/or low-calorie diet -- and especially if it's one that you've found to be particularly inflexible -- what's the harm in trying it at least once?
      • Pat 5 months ago
        Diet, diet, diet. If you ate right on a regular basis, you wouldn't need to diet all the time.
      • Meya P 5 months ago
        Yes, Pat, that would of course be ideal. Obviously, however, the reality is that there are many, MANY people out there who don't "eat right on a regular basis" or else there wouldn't be a need for this article, now would there?
      • ValeTudo_Rob 5 months ago
        Pat is correct, dieting is a recipe for disaster. It really is as simple as just eating clean, chicked breasts, fish, steak, turkey for proteins, brown rice, beans etc for carbs AND eat REGULARLY... the biggest mistake is when people to on starvation diets, they are doing LONG TERM damage by losing valuable muscle mass, muscle aids in burning fat by boosting resting metaboism.

        Surprisingly,
        Many obese people eat LESS than average people, some only on e a day after work, this is a starvation diet, they believe that are doing great because they don't feel hungry anymore...but in reality, their bodies are going into starvation mode, which means your metabolism drops to ridiculous levels, your body begins burning VALUABLE muscle mass and your body clings to every fat cell it can store..this I why obese peoplewhostarve themselves never lose any weight!

        Easiest way toget in shape is, forget diets, eat every 2-3 hours a day clean food as listed above and add in a 30-45 minute basic weight training program...muscle is of the best ways to burn fat and raise metabolism.
    • JPaul  •  Arlington, Virginia  •  5 months ago
      Ms. Ann Orexic's best friend.
    • Anupama  •  Mt Hamilton, California  •  5 months ago
      With all due to respect to Japanese tastes, the article fails to mention one important aspect of Shirataki noodles. It does have an "acquired" smell that can be considered fishy or nasty and can put some people off. It is only fair to bring this up when you write a piece about a new food- its texture, taste and smell. After all aroma is also an important factor in exploring and accepting new foods.
    • Abby  •  Indianapolis, Indiana  •  5 months ago
      I was so stoked when I heard about this years ago. I made some and couldn't wait to try them. When I started eating, I was able to get down about eight fork full. That was it, the texture is aweful, they have no flavor and they make a sound when chewed that sounds like walking in wet sneakers. Shaving down zuekini into strips and steaming is a better replacement for pasta if you're looking to save calories. At least that tastes and feels like something that is meant to be eaten.
    • marcia d  •  Springfield, Missouri  •  5 months ago
      i like the part about being made in the U.S.A. buying from our country will help our economy .i just hope they are also GMO-free
    • Go-Utes  •  Salt Lake City, Utah  •  5 months ago
      You will poop yourself inside-out.
    • Tara.  •  Mt Prospect, Illinois  •  5 months ago
      I tried these noodles once as a healthier alternative to pasta since I LOVE pasta. The smell is fishy and truly so overwhelming its nauseating and just a short while after eating these I threw up. if you have a weak stomach I really wouldn't bother and if the smell of fish upsets you, STAY AWAY!
    • Renee Tinker  •  Billings, Montana  •  5 months ago
      I can't wait to try this product!
    • EliseB  •  Lynchburg, Virginia  •  5 months ago
      Are they gluten free? Inquiring minds want to know.
    • Chris  •  Dallas, Texas  •  5 months ago
      They smell a bit like fish when you open them up....after you boil them that "fragrance" tends to be less....and the texture is very different. They still retain a small amount of their "smell" so unless you can get past it, probably not worth trying. I was able to eat a few bites....but that was it. I really wanted to like them, but just couldn't do it. But if you want to, I definitely say give them a shot.
    • The Wild Scots  •  Shelby, North Carolina  •  5 months ago
      I am diabetic and really miss eating pasta. I have tried Dreamfields pasta, which is recommended for diabetics but I always seem to get a blood sugar spike any way. I like spaghetti squash too. But, I am going to give these a try as well.
    • Vader  •  Dallas, Texas  •  4 months ago
      Smell's like fish; then cook them, then rinse them, then lay them out and pat dry, then add them to whatever the sauce is, then let it sit for hours if not overnight to absorbe tast of sauce. The taste---you decide. I'll never eat them again.
    • wife  •  Wichita, Kansas  •  5 months ago
      Hey Ronnie this is what we got LOL
    • EVDevil03  •  Yakima, Washington  •  5 months ago
      If people think they are getting fat because of the noodles, they are dead dead dead wrong. It's the sauces and cheese that are giving you the calories and fat.
    • Wisdom...Maybe not  •  Jefferson, South Carolina  •  5 months ago
      If they stick it in a cup with some beef and vegetables i'll be on board.
    • YvonneW  •  Sierra Vista, Arizona  •  5 months ago
      For those who have celliac disease these should go over well. I am going to find them and give them a try. Thanks for a good food tip...