This article is the third of a three-part explanation about how fiber aids weight loss. My goal in writing this third article is so you will not only know everything about fiber but how to incorporate it into your daily dietary pattern. The first article explains how fiber works to keep your belly full on the fewest calories. You can read it here: The Most Overlooked Secret to Permanent Weight Loss . The second article is about the magic of konjac root in its supplemental form glucomannan. It explains how glucomannan is the healthiest option for suppressing your appetite. As an added bonus it also may balance blood sugar and lower cholesterol. You can read it here: The Magic of Glucomannan. But this article is by far the most eye opening for us noodle fiends. And it is especially good news for people who hate taking supplements. By eating konjac root, you can still enjoy its amazing health and weight loss properties. Konjac root is used in cooking so you can reap it’s benefits through delicious food. And best of all, you can use it in the form of NOODLES. That’s right noodles. By incorporating konjac root in your cooking, it is basically a zero-calorie food and is all fiber. Konjac Flour: I have yet to see this in any store but you can buy it online. You can use the flour or powder as a thickening agent in place of flour or cornstarch. One teaspoon of konjac flour will gel one cup of water. So, you can use it to thicken sauces and gravies. I have never found a need to buy it because so little goes a long way. I just use the contents of a capsule to thicken sauces. There are also some recipes for baking that use konjac flour. But I would recommend against it for a couple of reasons:
Konjac Noodles: Here is where the noodle fiend in me gets really excited. If you have read my book, BREAK THE CYCLE, you know that noodles are a huge binge trigger for me. In fact, I loved them so much that when I cleaned out my kitchen, I hid the pasta in a drawer in the basement. I couldn’t bring myself to give them away even though I knew they were off limits. I have finally cleaned out my noodle drawer! And I have found this wonderful guilt-free substitute. You can buy konjac noodles at practically any Asian supermarket. The Japanese have been using these noodles for centuries. They are called shirataki noodles. Konjac/Shirataki noodles can be found in the refrigerated section of an Asian store. They are packed in water which is great because they haven’t dried out. They are cheap as well. The ones I bought were C$2.75 a bag which contains about one large serving. The bag contains 7 ounces. Here are some pictures: I also found konjac noodles in my supermarket in the pasta section of the store. They seem more expensive at C$5.99. But in reality, they aren’t much more expensive as there are two 7-ounce servings in each bag. Needless to say, I lost my shit, when I saw all this amazing konjac pasta in the store and bought a selection to try. I bought traditional shirataki, spaghetti, penne, and Thai style. Here are the pictures: So, why am I so excited? Well, each 7-ounce serving of pasta is only 30 calories! That’s right 30 calories for a full bowl of pasta. As a comparison, a 7-ounce serving of whole wheat spaghetti is 246 calories. That's a saving of 216 calories on one pasta meal. You could eat eight 7-ounce servings of konjac noodles for the same calories.
These noodles are:
Preparing Konjac Noodles: Preparing these noodles couldn’t be easier.
They are a fresh food. Once a package is open, the noodles may be kept in water for a maximum of two days. Do not freeze If you can’t find the noodles in your local area, there are plenty of brands on Amazon. So, in summary, konjac is a low calorie, high fiber root vegetable. Konjac noodles have a neutral taste, taking on the flavor of your favorite sauces. They are naturally free from gluten, fat and sugar and are an excellent alternative to wheat and rice pasta. Konjac Root is a viscous fiber which really fills you up. Due to the high fiber content, it is recommended to drink plenty of water during and after meals. I also recommend if you are taking the supplements, that you skip them on the days you eat konjac noodles. You need to make some room for all your healthy fruits and vegetables that you will be eating as well. I am so excited about this expansion to my dietary regime that I have created a new section for recipes using konjac noodles. Check out my newest recipes in the Pasta & Noodles section on this website. |
Karen WarwickI am not a doctor but I am a RHN. Here is what I would do, if I were you. Archives
May 2022
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