Keto Dieters, Stock Up on Skinny Noodles to Keep Your Carb Count Low

Welcome to our new food series called Eat It Up, where we share the kitchen gadgets and foods that we can’t cook without.

What if we told you that there’s a way to eat helping after helping of pasta without moving the needle on your net carb count? No, we’re not talking about zoodles. We’re talking about Skinny Pasta ($5). We discovered this low-carb noodle when a package of it was included in a keto subscription box service we received called My Keto Snack Box ($114). The package promised a lot, so while we were intrigued, we were definitely skeptical. Beyond having a slim 9 calories per serving, the noodles are apparently sugar free, gluten free, fat free, cholesterol free, fiber rich, and all natural. Plus they’re pre-cooked and only take two minutes to reheat. But what the heck is konjac (the noodle’s main ingredient), and could these free-of-everything noodles actually taste any good?

According to the Skinny Pasta site, konjac is a high-fiber plant native to Japan and has been used for hundreds of years as a noodle and rice alternative. Upon opening the package, dumping the water, and running the noodles under cold water, the Skinny Pasta appears similar to Asian rice noodles, with a white hue and slightly curly shape. However, the main difference between Skinny Pasta and other conventional noodles is its sturdiness. It doesn’t snap or break easily. Also, the 100-gram clump of noodles resembles one giant strand of pasta or one brick of instant ramen rather than a bunch of individual spaghetti.

As the directions say, it only takes a few minutes to reheat the noodles, whether on the stovetop or in the microwave. Interestingly enough, they don’t absorb more water and consequently lose their shape or al dente bite, which can happen with wheat pasta and other gluten-free pastas made of grains or legumes. This also means the Skinny Pasta doesn’t really absorb whatever sauce you put on them.

We doused the noodles in a simple homemade tomato sauce. Though the package says it contains two servings, we’re going to go ahead and tell you it’s really one. But don’t feel bad about going back for a second helping! After all, an entire package contains a mere 18 calories, with just 10 grams of carbs and 10 grams of fiber. Since the pasta is like one noodle, you may need to use a knife to cut it up.

The pasta has an al dente-ish texture but it’s a bit crunchier, almost like glass (cellophane) noodles. It’s slippery on the outside too, since there’s no gluten to make it gummy or sticky. Because it’s odor and tasteless, the noodles depend entirely on the sauce to give it flavor. Ghee and Parmesan, a butter-loaded tomato sauce, or zesty pesto are excellent pairings.

We really enjoyed these noodles, which are totally passable in place of conventional and GF options. Those on a keto or low-carb diet or anyone who wants to lower their daily carb load without having to say goodbye to pasta altogether ought to pick up a pack.

Our only complaint is that even though Skinny Pasta says it’s filling, we admittedly felt hungry for more — even after eating the entire package. To help offset that, we’ll load the plate with protein and greens in the future. Given that we’re fans of the OG Noodles Shape, we can’t wait to get our hands on the Rice Shape too.

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(Photo via Skinny Pasta)