Shirataki noodles for weight loss?

This week I have read two articles in two separate magazines talking about shirataki noodles as a benefit in weight loss.  A Japanese noodle, apparently.....I find it quite interesting. 

Check_out_the_information_here!

I just read about these too! Was wondering if anyone has tried them and if so, your opinion of them? According to one article, it said that once you get past the 'strong odor', they are actually really good, and there were a couple of diet recipes to use with the noodles.

I've tried shirataki noodles and yam noodles which have similar ingredients, but zero calories (I know, I couldn't believe the label either--noodles without calories? Can it be?).  To prepare them, I stir fried some carrots, celery, Japanese tofu, onion, garlic and a little teriyaki sauce to go with both types and both were pretty good.  I made a whole meal equaling 136 calories and ended up full with leftovers.

A few things you need to know before buying either, they are not like your typical wheat noodles.  The shirataki noodles don't break as easily, are extremely thin and have a different texture.  I didn't really notice the smell however I did have tofu with it. The yam noodles were bigger but much softer and had a more wheat like texture, but still not the same.  They did have a distinct smell and you would definitely need to get past that to eat them.

Here is the brand of shirataki noodles I got:
http://www.house-foods.com/our_products/popup /tofu_shirataki_1.html

This company also makes the noodles in a fettuccine shape, but I haven't tried them yet.  Let me know if you do.

i have tried both shapes of the shiritaki noodles. i love them, because you can make whatever pasta dishes you want without really getting any cals from the noodles. there's a couple of other posts on the forums about them too. here's one: http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/1349 5.html
if you search for shiritaki noodles under forums, you'll find more. happy eating!

Hi Everyone!
I saw the article in First Magazine. I tried the shirataki noodles. Everything you have heard is true: if you just eat them - they taste like rubber bands and the stench is awful.

However - if you rinse them real good - pat them dry, and chop them up real small (so they just slide down with what you are eating - they are fantastic!

I made chili the first time I used them. My chili recipe makes 2 big bowls. I added the 8oz bag of rinsed, dryed, chopped noodles to the finished chili and I could only eat about 1/3 cup instead of a whole bowl! and the chili tasted the same as always.

The trick? Just whatever you do: don't try to chew the things. (Like jello - I like to let it just slide down! chopped small that's what they automatically do anyway. I'm going to put them in everything!

If anyone saw the article in First Magazine: I have been searching all over the internet for the recipes that individual's had given in that article. One in particular was for spinach (made like a Thanksgiving dressing recipe) that the person just added the noodles to. I would love that recipe!

When my children were toddlers they would not eat spinach at all. When I found a similar recipe as given by First Magazine: I made them the size of meatballs and my kids would snack on them: they loved them. I used to make 6 or 8 times the recipe so that they could grab a handful out of a sack full I had in the freezer and microwave them. They tasted like dressing (not spinach at all) and the kids loved them!

I'd love to do that again for myself with shirataki noodles included in the batch. I find if I have lots of things in the freezer that are easily zappable: I do great on a diet. And the spinach always forze very well and worked great used that way.

Another thing I've tried is frozen grapes. They are great out of the freezer and a tasty snack that is really good for you (instead of popsicles).

If anyone has any of those First Magazine recipes: I'd love to hear from you!

Thanks.

margee

Wow! I'm off to the store now! I'm willing to try them! I hope I can find them in my town!

If only I could find them... Here is a recipe for a Low cal ALfredo.

http://www.hungry-girl.com/week/weeklydetails .php?isid=468

I just got back from the store! I found them at the Oriental Food Store in my home town. I'm making them now! You are right...the smell is bad. I mixed some green peppers, garlic, and ginger. Sauteed them while the noodles were boiling. I had some Teriyaki marinade and added about 1.5 teaspoons to the green pepper mixture. Then added all, and mixed together! YUMMY!!!! They are like rubber bands but they are really good this way! I want to figure the cals now so I'll let you all know later. It can't be more than 60 cals for the whole bag! I'll eat this every day!!! NO MORE TUMMY RUMBLING!!! WOW!!! 

I have the First Magazine that featured the story on the noodles.  Here is one of the recipes they listed:

Kendra's Get-Slim Fettuccine
Makes 1 serving

1 pkg (8 oz) tofu fettuccine, like House Tofu Shirataki Fettuccine Shaped Noodles
1/2 wedge soft light cheese, like The Laughing Cow Light Original Swiss Cheese
2 tsp reduced-fat Parmesan cheese
1 tsp far-free sour cream

Rinse noodles well.  In colander, toss to dry.  In microwave-safe bowl, microwave noodles 1 min.  Stir in cheeses & sour cream.  Cook 15 seconds more, or until cheeses are melted, stirring to combine.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Add steamed vegetables, if desired.


Also, the article recommends, to get rid of the 'distinct odor', make sure you wash/rinse them in a strainer thoroughly, and then let them dry for a few minutes before using.

Hope that helps!!

NO!!!! They are only 40 cals per bowl full! If you have an Oriental Market in your town, ask them to order the item and stock it. They can do it for you!

Hi Everyone!

If you want to go to this link:

http://www.ricedietprogram.com/forums/viewtop ic.php?p=48438#48438

I posted a bunch of Shiritaki Noodle Recipes that I found online.

It?s the Post dated: Thu Sep 28, 2006 12:23 pm    Post subject: Shiritaki Noodle Recipes. Hope it?s a help to someone. I can't wait to try them. BTW: if your regular grocer (not a specialty store) doesn't carry Shiritaki noodles, ask them to. Most will stock them when requested. I get them at my regular grocery now. They are in the refrigerated section with the cream cheese and the tofu items. I asked at the service desk. I was looking in the noodle section (DUH!) who would have thunk it??! They walked me right over to the refrigerated section and showed me them. Now, they only stock one kind - but, who cares? They are great!   

Later! Margee

The taste was not bad, very bland, but I couldn't get past the texture.  Too slippery!

In my opinion, nothing can take the place of real pasta and noodles, so I measure carefully to control portions and eat the infrequently.  Whole wheat or buckwheat noodles are acceptable to me.

Someone from another post said that she found them at Trader Joes'= don't know if you have one in your area- but worth looking into... We are supposed to have one opening up at the end of the year about 10 minutes from my house- I can't wait! The noodles have Gluconamman (something like that) I wonder if you could just take a supplement instead ? Would that work as well?