Indu Cutting carbs doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to pasta nights. With a little creativity, you can find or make low carb pasta alternatives that taste delicious while keeping your carb intake low. These options provide the satisfaction of noodles without spiking your blood sugar.
Explore Vegetable-Based “Noodles”
Turn fresh vegetables into faux noodles with a spiralizer. Popular veggie options like zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, beets, and turnips work wonderfully. Not only do these vegetable noodles contain far fewer carbs than traditional pasta, they also pack nutrients.
Experiment with different vegetables and cooking methods to find your favorites. Zoodles (zucchini noodles) offer versatility for many dishes.
Hearty Lentil or Chickpea Pastas
For a pulse-based pasta alternative, try Banza or Explore Asian black bean spaghetti. With twice as much protein and four times the fiber of wheat pasta, these hearty pastas keep you full.
Their nutty, rich flavor and firm texture resembles whole grain pasta. You can prepare lentil or chickpea pasta the same way you would traditional noodles. These plant-based pastas make excellent cold salads too.
Try Konjac Root or Kelp Noodles
If you want an extremely low-carb pasta with almost zero calories, konjac root or kelp noodles fit the bill. These unique noodles comprise over 90% water and contain very few digestible carbs. Made from the konjac plant or sea kelp, they consist mainly of soluble fiber.
While these noodles lack much flavor on their own, they soak up the flavors of sauces and stir-fries. Their springy, gelatinous texture takes some getting used to for some palates.
Whip Up Low Carb “Cloud Bread”
For lasagna, casseroles or pasta bakes, use low carb “cloud bread” in place of regular pasta. Sometimes called oopsie bread, this egg-based mixture bakes up light as a cloud.
The bread itself contains minimal carbs, so fill it with all your favorite saucy, cheesy ingredients. It makes a tempting base for meatballs too. Experiment with different cloud bread recipes to find your perfect formula.
With so many tasty, low-to-zero carb pasta alternatives available today, you don’t need to miss out on classic pasta dishes. Branch out at the grocery store or have fun concocting vegetable noodles, legume pastas or cloud bread at home. Find your new go-to to enjoy lower carb pasta meals.
