Are you looking to diversify your Optavia diet and get creative with pasta, but are also concerned about carb count? Look no further!
Low-carb Optavia-approved noodles offer a delicious way to incorporate new flavors without compromising nutrition.
As someone who loves to eat pasta, I would like to introduce you to the different alternatives that provide additional nutrients while maintaining the same satisfaction as traditional pasta.
Join me in this blog post as we dive into how these low-calorie choices can jazz up mealtime for pasta lovers alike wanting healthier food choices.
1. Palmini Hearts of Palm Linguine
As someone who’s trying to watch my weight, I like that Palmini Hearts of Palm Linguine is made from hearts of palm, which is a lower-calorie and low-carbohydrate vegetable.
Here’s the photo.
This pasta has a mild flavor that can be combined with a great variety of sauces and low-calorie salad dressings.
Plus, there’s no need for me to worry about gluten sensitivities as it’s naturally gluten-free.
I use Palmini to make Pad Thai with shrimp, an original Optavia recipe for Pad Thai Zucchini Noodles.
Here’s a photo.
Here, I replaced the zucchini noodles with Palmini pasta, as shown in this photo.
And since it’s a sustainable and environmentally friendly food source, switching to this type of pasta is truly guilt-free.
So if you’re already a fan of veggie-based noodles like spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles, Palmini noodles are a great alternative.
However, this brand is not cheap. The cost of one pack is $6.37, which works out to $2.12 per serving.
Nutrition facts
Serving size 74 grams (package contain 3 serving):
- Calories: 20
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 60 g
- Carbs: 4 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- 1/2 cup = 1 green
2. Better Than Pasta Spaghetti
Better Than Pasta Spaghetti is made from organic Konnyaku flour, from the root of an ancient Japanese organic plant.
This one has a neutral taste.
But don’t let that discourage you!
When you mix them with other ingredients, the pasta absorbs the flavor, allowing you to enjoy a healthy and delicious meal.
Here’s what it looks like.
Ensure to rinse the pasta in cold water as some people say it may smell fishy when you open the bag.
Honestly, I didn’t notice any smell.
As 1 pack contains 3 serving it should be stored in a dry, cool place, but not frozen, as this may affect the taste and consistency after thawing. After opening, keep it in clean water for up to two days.
I often use this one for my Optavia soup recipes.
In this photo, you can see how my soup and broth look.
When it comes to price, I usually buy the package from Amazon for around $2.25, which is around $0.75 per serving.
In general, 6 packs can be ordered for $13.49, which is significantly less than Palmini’s price.
Nutrition facts
Serving size 3/4 cup drained 134 grams (package contain 3 serving):
- Calories: 15
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 0 g
- Carbs: 4 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sugar: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- 1/2 cup = 1 green
3. Miracle Noodle
Other Optavia-approved noodles are Miracle Noodles made from shirataki, which is a type of pasta made from the konjac plant.
Shirataki is a low-calorie (5 calories per serving) and low-carbohydrate (3 grams per serving).
Here’s the photo of Miracle Noodle Fettuccini that I often buy at the local grocery store in Coral Gables.
Keep in mind that this one doesn’t have the same starchy texture as conventional pasta. (But that doesn’t mean they can’t be just as tasty.)
You can also find Miracle Noodle Fettuccini on Amazon and Walmart (trendy for weight loss).
Here’s what my dish looks like.
In this dish, I used broccoli, green beans, onion, and shrimp (this combination is also tasty with chicken).
As you can see, I don’t use any additional condiments other than salt, pepper, and lime juice.
(So delicious!)
Amazon’s price for a single pack is $3.49 ($1.75 per serving).
In general, six packs can be ordered for $20.94. The price is less than Palmini but $1 more per serving than Better Than Pasta.
Nutritional facts
Serving size 3 oz (85 gram) (package contain 2 serving):
- Calories: 5
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 0 g
- Carbs: 3 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- 1/2 cup = 1 green
4. Nasoya Pasta Zero
Nasoya has two types of pasta, such as spaghetti and fettuccine.
Here’s what spaghetti looks like.
Both types are made on the basis of konjac and chickpea flour, which dramatically speeds up the cooking time.
All you need to do is parboil it for 2 minutes, drain it, and then either dry fry it or microwave it for 1-2 minutes.
Just remember to keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to use it, but no freezing is needed!
Here’s the photo of my not-so-perfect Optavia meatballs where I used Nasoya pasta zero, instead of hopped collard greens.
It’s an easy meal to prepare for the week since it reheats well.
This nutritious alternative gives you all the enjoyment of a classic Italian meal without the carb overload.
As an added bonus, it is only $2.18 per pack of 8 oz, which equates to nearly three Optavia servings (less than $1 per serving).
Nutrition facts
Serving size 2/3 cup (113 gram) (package contain 2 serving):
- Calories: 20
- Fat: 0,5 g
- Sodium: 0 g
- Carbs: 5 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- 1/2 cup = 1 green
5. Trader Joe`s Hearts of Palm Pasta
Another Optavia-approved pasta comes from the Trader Joe’s company – Hearts of Palm Pasta.
Similarly to Palmini, this pasta is made from hearts of palm but is slightly more expensive ($2.90 per serving).
Here’s the photo.
With an unwavering honest opinion, I can vouch for pasta being a delicious (yet expensive) dinner option.
A quick glance at the photo alone is enough to make anyone’s mouth water – making it totally worth buying!
I really like cooking this pasta with salmon!
(Well, I guess I really went over the board with serving size this time. Whoopsie daisy!)
I usually start by baking the salmon before adding it to the ready pasta.
I then add a sauce of my choice; I particularly like Rao Homemade (1/4 cup Marinara sauce) for this dish.
You can also use Walden Farms or Hunt’s wheat for Optavia (1/4 cup, green).
Anyway, if you’re looking for something new and exciting to add to your lean and green meals, then this latest non-traditional noodle dish is perfect.
Nutrition facts
Serving size 1/3 package (85 gram) (package contain 3 serving):
- Calories: 20
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 0 g
- Carbs: 4 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 1 g
- Protein: < 1 g
- 1/2 cup = 1 green
