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Noodle Nutrition Guide

Calories in Noodles

Sending some noods your way!

This guide was originally going to be for all the different types of pasta like ziti, spaghetti, rigatoni, etc, but I quickly realized that it’s all exactly the same, just in different shapes. So we had to switch it up- noodles it is!

Spaghetti is tough to beat. There’s a reason every single child in the world (barring any allergies) loves spaghetti and meatballs. I mean, it’s a slurpable carb, what’s not to love?

That being said, I’ve been LOVING @eatbanza chickpea spaghetti recently. If I did a blind taste test, I’d never be able to tell the difference between that and regular ol’ spaghetti.

Most of these options are going to end up being very similar in their nutrition. There are slight differences in fiber and protein, but otherwise noodles are mostly carbs, so it’ll come down to your taste preferences.

But let’s look at that bottom row. If you’re a keto dieter, or just looking to eat much lower carb, that bottom row has your options. If you’re curious how they compare to regular pasta, I’ve tested ‘em all for you.

Palmini is a company that was on Shark Tank that makes pasta out of hearts of palm. I had never heard of hearts of palm, but apparently it’s a vegetable. Since they’re a vegetable, it’s safe to say that they’re not going to taste exactly like regular noodles. To me, they tasted like bean sprouts. Decent option if you’re desperate, I suppose, but not quite a perfect replacement. Of all of the low calorie/low carb options, it’s definitely my favorite, but as you’ll quickly find out, that’s not saying much.

Zucchini noodles, or zoodles, are always incredibly disappointing to me. Back in the day when weight loss was my goal, I convinced myself that I liked them. But at the end of the day, it’s just zucchini. Don’t get me wrong, you can dress ’em up and make them a decent option as a side to your meal, but I’ve never been able to fool myself into thinking I’m eating regular pasta.

Shiritaki noodles are just horrendous- there’s no way to sugarcoat it. For starters, when you open the package, it smells like fishy farts. Even if you rinse ’em really well, you can never quite get that smell totally off. But if you do get past the smell, then you’re left with the texture. These “noodles” are like biting into rubber bands. They’re fibrous and chewy, and I don’t know about you, but that is NOT the consistency I want from my noodles.

All of that being said, my top 3 noodle ranking is definitely spaghetti first, chickpea pasta second (since it tastes so similar) and soba noodles third.

Speaking of spaghetti, the absolute best noodle dish I’ve ever had was without a doubt a carbonara I got in Italy. Carbonara is basically breakfast pasta- it’s noodles tossed in an eggy sauce, with bacon (or pancetta) and cheese. I mean, what’s not to love about all that?!

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About Matt Rosenman

With over 15 years of experience in health and fitness, Matt Rosenman is the expert voice behind Cheatdaydesign.com. Matt’s philosophy is simple: no foods are off-limits, and a healthy lifestyle shouldn't be complicated or restrictive. As a former certified personal trainer with a bachelor’s degree in Health Behavioral Sciences, Matt brings well-rounded expertise to his blog. From revamping classic recipes with a nutritious twist to breaking down fast food menus, his goal is make healthy living less confusing for everyone. Featured in major publications and with a strong following on social media, Matt is committed to making “healthy” uncomplicated—no matter where you are in your health journey. Join Matt on his mission to simplify health without sacrificing flavor. Learn More