Kelp noodles

(Josephine Grey) #1

Does anybody know if kelp noodles are a starch? How blood sugar levels react? Are they keto friendly?

(Siobhan) #2

I think it would depend on brand.

Sea Tangle is made of kelp, and water I think.
1g of carb per 1 serving (4 oz/110g~) of which all of it is fiber.
So either way it sounds pretty good.
As for effect I have no idea… same for taste.

I know @brenda has some experience with shirataki noodles?

(G. Andrew Duthie) #3

I’ve used kelp noodles, and I like them.

As far as I can tell, as @siobhan says, they are largely a wash, in terms of net carbs, and even if you count the fiber, the carb content is very low.

They’re also a good source of iodine, which can be a good thing if you don’t use iodized salt.

The two things to be aware of are:

  1. Out of the package, they have a pretty crunchy texture. If you cook them for a bit, they do get softer.
  2. They have somewhat of a strong taste…so it’s a good idea to rinse them thoroughly. I still find that if I rinse them, and then use them in chicken or beef broth, they can add a slight bitter flavor. Cooking them in water and then dumping the water might reduce that. It’s not bad, though.

I’ve tried the shiritaki noodles (no-oodles, miracle noodles, etc.) and I just don’t care for the texture. They’re just too rubbery for me (sorry, @Brenda). The kelp noodles are a nice option with broths. I don’t think they’d work particularly well as a pasta replacement. More like Asian cellophane noodles in pho.

EDIT: I should add…I have not tested my blood sugar after eating these, so I can’t say with certainty that they don’t increase my blood sugar. I’ve not experienced any symptoms that would suggest a blood sugar spike, though.

(Josephine Grey) #4

Thank you! Do you have a recipe that you like?

(Siobhan) #5

Ive never tried them I just quickly googled the nutrition info so I could gove you a quick answer :smile:

(8 year Ketogenic Veteran) #6

Dude. There’s no way you’re buying the same brand I buy. Mine have a texture almost identical to wheat pasta. No rubber bands. Interestingly no flavor though. At all. They take on the flavor of your sauce.

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With baby arugula sautéed in ghee, heavy cream and parmesan added.

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With sauce bolognese
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(G. Andrew Duthie) #7

I have a pack of those exact noodles sitting in the fridge as we speak. Tried the fettucine style with homemade alfredo sauce, and still didn’t care for the texture.

It’s OK. Just not my thing. :slight_smile:

(8 year Ketogenic Veteran) #8

Wow. Definately a case of personal preference!

N = 1!!!

(8 year Ketogenic Veteran) #9

@devhammer
Do you cook the shiritaki noodles at all?

(G. Andrew Duthie) #10

I’ve only tried them rinsed.

(8 year Ketogenic Veteran) #11

OK. Just wondering if you actually boiled them etc. I rinse in cold water, then microwave one or two minutes till hot.

(Cheryl Meyers) #12

Just curious–Are these the same as “harusame” noodles? Those made in Japan are usually made from rice flour, so check the carb count on the label to be sure. I find the Vietnam pho in Japan is usually made with rice noodles.

I love adding dried wakame to bone broth!

#13

Kelp noodles are made from seaweed. My experience with them is that they are like eating water, in terms of carbs and blood sugar insulinogenic effects. So, I think they are great for diabetics and very keto friendly.

They have a crunchy texture…not like the shiritake noodles made from a type fibre-rich root vegetable.

I find kelp noodles really great for stir frys, cold Asian salads and as noodles in bone broth.

(G. Andrew Duthie) #14

I was referring to cellophane noodles as a reference to their appearance, not to their content. Kelp noodles, as @Fiorella observed, are made from seaweed, not any kind of flour.

(jilliangordona) #15

Are these fairly easy to find in a grocery store?

(8 year Ketogenic Veteran) #16

I would think so. I live just outside of a big city, Minneapolis, and most stores have them. Usually found in the refrigerated produce aisle.

(jilliangordona) #17

No luck on my first try, I will have to keep exploring for them!

(8 year Ketogenic Veteran) #18

Another way to find a specific product is to go to it’s website. Most have a function that allows you to search location availability

#19

According to the website

http://www.kelpnoodles.com/purchase_noodles_wheretobuy.html

they sell kelp noodles at Daily Groceries Co-op - Athens, GA and Life Grocery Natural Foods Co-op - Marietta, GA

(Cheryl Meyers) #20

Aha! These are based on a Korean seaweed noodle, it seems:


http://aeriskitchen.com/2008/12/cheonsachae-천사채/

Will have to search Koreatown! or order from iherb.com :wink:
Thanks for posting about them.