Low carb diet tips: konjac noodles are the best thing since sliced bread!
This is one of the best low carb diet tips you’ll ever discover. I just have two words for you: KONJAC NOODLES. They’re a bit like rice noodles in texture and appearance, have no particular taste, they fill up your belly and best of all, they are super low in carbs and calories (one bowl of konjac noodles is only eight calories – the equivalent of one peanut M&M).
Konjac noodles are an excellent staple for anyone following a low carb diet and are even fine to eat on the low-calorie phase of the hCG diet.
What’s so great about konjac noodles?
They are:
- Low calorie
- Low carb
- A good source of fibre
- Gluten free
- Fat free
- Dairy free
- Soy free
- Sugar free
- Vegan
How are these superhero konjac noodles made?
With only three ingredients: purified water, konjac flour and calcium hydroxide (a natural preservative and firming agent that has no adverse effects).
The konjac tree mainly grows in the southwest China mountain range, where pandas live. The root of the konjac tree is full of a water soluble fibre called glucomannan, which is used to make konjac foods.
Glucomannan helps you feel fuller for longer, keeping the hunger at bay and reducing your risk of tucking into after-dinner sweets. It also regulates blood sugar in the body. This has the effect of keeping your mood more balanced. Like other soluble fibres, such as guar or psyllium, glucomannan has the ability to slow down the passage of food though the digestive tract and lower cholesterol.
Studies have shown glucomannan to be effective in assisting diabetic treatments. The soluble fibre absorbs water, making the bowel movements softer and promoting intestinal motility. When taken with enough water, it can help improve constipation. In fact, as they are nearly 97 per cent fibre, konjac foods are a natural constipation aid.
A small number of studies have reported that konjac foods lowered cholesterol, triglycerides and body weight and kept blood sugars levels lower in diabetic subjects if eaten every day for several weeks.
Low carb diet tips – how to eat konjac noodles
Konjac noodles are translucent and gelatinous, with no flavour of their own. They easily absorb the dominant flavors of any soup or dish. Konjac noodles are a welcome discovery for anyone needing low carb diet tips to help them stay on track and feel satiated.
All you have to do is rinse the noodles, then let them stand in boiling water for one minute and voila!
Some of my low calorie, low carb recipes using konjac noodles are Spinach & Chicken Noodles, Cabbage & Chicken Broth, Warm Shrimp Salad and Spaghetti Bolognese.
Some of the brands you can buy:
- Slim Pasta by Slendier
- Konjac Shirataki Angel Hair Pasta Noodles 8.8 oz
- Chang’s Super Lo-Cal Wok Ready Noodles
- You can also purchase Konjac powder, great for thickening sauces
Konjac noodles can be stored at room temperature for about one year and they do not need refrigeration. It just keeps getting better, doesn’t it?
Give them a try. They seem safe and as long as you chew them well and drink a good amount of water daily, they’ll keep your carbs and calories down, your bowel movements regular – and your tastebuds happy!
Have you come across konjac noodles when you’ve been searching for low carb diet tips?