No pasta! No problem! Here are 6 healthy pasta alternatives that are sure to fill you up and satisfy your craving for pasta.
Spaghetti squash
Scrape out the spaghetti-like strands from this squash and top with your favourite sauce. It looks and tastes just like the real deal!Cut the squash from stem to end, but don’t try to cut through the stem (it’s too tough). When you’ve cut through the squash, just pull each half apart. The force will pull one half away from the stem.
Zucchini
Shredded, julienned, or cut into ribbons with a peeler, this low-cal and naturally gluten-freealternative will give you a huge veggie boost when topped with tomato sauce.Zucchini may be at the back of the alphabet, but it’s at the front of our minds when it comes to summer vegetables.This miracle squash is so easy to grow, you can easily end up with a bumper crop. But don’t let it go to waste—it has lots of vitamin A, few calories, and it’s simple to cook.
Soba noodles
These Japanese noodles are packed with fibre and protein and have a nuttier taste than traditional pasta.Soba noodles are Japanese noodles that are made from buckwheat flour. The thickness of the noodles is easily comparable to that of spaghetti, and they can be served both hot or cold. Their nutty flavor works well as a base for stir-fries and salads. While soba noodles offer beneficial manganese and fit into calorie-conscious diets, they also have some nutritional drawbacks.Buckwheat flour — the base for soba noodles — has many health benefits, as illustrated in many studies shared by the Oldways Whole Grains Council. As a gluten-free grain, it’s an alternative for those unable to consume wheat.
Shirataki noodles
Made popular by Hungry Girl, these noodles are primarily made of fibre and contain virtually no fat or calories. They come in a package of liquid and are usually sold in the produce section alongside tofu. The only cooking required is draining the liquid and rinsing them off!
Quinoa
Though it’s not shaped like pasta, this ancient grain can be a great pasta alternative, especially if you are looking to increase your protein — 1 cup has 32 grams.While quinoa is usually considered to be a whole grain (similar to regular white rice, brown rice and other grains such as wheat and barley), it is actually a seed, but can be prepared like whole grains such as rice or barley. Try a quinoa salad recipe, or serve a vegetable stir-fry over cooked quinoa instead of rice. Or, if you’re looking for a simple, high-protein breakfast idea, swap out your usual oatmeal for some quinoa flakes which cook just as quickly.
