Kelp Noodles: A Gluten-Free Pasta Substitute (2024)

What Are Kelp Noodles?

Kelp noodles typically have3ingredients;kelp, sodium alginate and water.Kelp is edible brown seaweedandsodium alginate is a salt derived from seaweed. These simple ingredients makethesenoodles a healthy alternative to pasta because seaweeds are nutrient-dense and are full of minerals. Kelp noodles contain zero fat, zero cholesterol and zero sugar. On top of all that, they are gluten-free! These noodles also contain no protein and have only 1 gram of fibre per serving, so it is best to eat them with natural sources of protein and fibre, like legumestobalance your meal.

How To Use Kelp Noodles

Kelp noodlesare usedin cooking and as a comfort food substitute. Making diet and lifestyle changes ischallenging, however, there are ways to make it easier and tastier. Usingthese noodlesin placeof pasta or other high-calorienoodles is one way to make your transition easier.

Kelp noodles are great for thoseindividualswho want to lose weight because they arevery lowin caloriesandone serving has less than10calories. Since they are gluten-free, they makea greatchoice for anyone whois avoidinggluten or has gluten allergies.These noodles are rich iniodine, which isimportantfor thyroid health andpreventing hypothyroidism.

You can use thesenoodles if you are following a raw food diet because they do not require cooking in their preparation. However, not all kelp noodles are raw, sobe suretocarefully read the manufacturer’s label.

Key Health Benefits & Nutrients of Kelp Noodles

Since kelp noodlesare madefrom kelp, they have many of the benefits that eating kelp does. Kelp is naturally rich in iodine and contains over 70 minerals and trace elements likepotassium,magnesium,calciumandiron. Iodine is a trace mineral and essential nutrientthat you needto get through your diet by eating sea vegetables like kelp.Iodine is used by your thyroid to makethyroid hormonesand plays akeyrole in metabolism and thyroid function.However, like all foods, moderation is the key to balance.You can get too much iodine, which canmake some thyroid conditions worse, so do not consume more than 3-4 servings ofthese noodles per week.

Using This Gluten-Free Pasta

Kelp noodles do not require cooking and can be used right out of the bag. Just rinse under water, pat dry and incorporate into yourfavourite dishes. Rinsing reduces the salt content and taste. Kelp noodle’s neutral taste makes them a great addition to flavorfulsalads, stir-fries, hot broths and casseroles. While you expect them to taste like a noodle because theyare shapedthat way, theyhave no taste and tend to pick up the flavour of whatevertheyare mixedwith. The texture is mildly crunchy or a little like al dente pasta.