Revamp Italian Night: 3 Healthy Pasta Noodle Options

Super-Healthy Pasta Noodles

Pasta is a favourite go-to dish for so many reasons.  First of all, it’s absolutely delicious. Secondly, it’s super easy to make – who doesn’t want dinner ready in 30 minutes? As much as we all love our classic pasta recipes, these three delicious pasta noodles are a healthier, tastier alternative to the white noodles you’ve grown up with.

Looking for more reasons to eat pasta more regularly? A recent study published in Nutrition & Diabetes links pasta consumption with a lower BMI and reduced obesity. Researchers believe this is due to pasta’s traditional presence in the Mediterranean diet, which is known to be slimming. To reap the benefits, stick to a healthy serving size (just 1/2 to 2/3 cup cooked pasta at lunch or dinner) and fill the rest of your plate with veggies and lean meats, fish or beans.

Rice Noodles

Also called rice noodle stick, these semi-transparent and gluten-free noodles are made with rice flour and water. They can be found in slender, vermicelli-style nests and also in a wide, straight-cut format. Most commonly used in pad Thai dishes, they’re also ideal in stir-fries and soups.

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Whole Wheat Noodles

Whole wheat pasta means that all three parts of the wheat grain – the bran, germ and endosperm – have been retained. Whether made from strong durum wheat or another variety, this translates to more nutritional benefits than refined white pasta, including a boost in B-vitamins, antioxidants and fibre.

Spiralized noodles

With one inexpensive and handy little gadget (a spiralizer) and a few different vegetables, you can have a low-carb, gluten-free substitute for the usual pasta but with the same great fork-twirling texture. Top veggie-spiralizing picks include zucchini, carrot and sweet potato. These three options are super easy to turn into long, corkscrew-like creations. Simply steam, sauté or toss ’em in a simmering sauce until tender.