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BEST LOW-CARB PASTA AND NOODLES ON THE MARKET REVIEWED

Mar 25th 2024

BEST LOW-CARB PASTA AND NOODLES ON THE MARKET REVIEWED

At It's Skinny, we know that there are a few other low-carb pasta options out there (with more and more every day). It's crucial that we stack up our noodles against others to see where we stand. We're always working to improve and perfect our pasta to give you the best keto pasta noodles and rice!

So, how do the other low-carb pasta brands stack up, and how do they compare with traditional regular pasta? What are the pros and cons of each? Is It’s Skinny really the best option for low-carb pasta? Prepare to have your pasta cravings fulfilled!

HOW WE TESTED THE LOW-CARB PASTA AND NOODLE BRANDS

To see how It’s Skinny compared with others, we tried the different low-carb and alternative pasta brands to see what was best. If you’re following keto, you’re likely looking primarily at carbs. But we also compared the brands by taste, texture, ease of preparation, and, of course, the nutrition info.

We quickly learned that some brands who claim to be the best low-carb pasta out there are…well, not so much. Honestly, we were surprised to see that the carb counts were often all over the map! Good news: there are a few good options if you’re watching your carbs, but there are some things you should be aware of.

Here is our breakdown of the best keto pasta noodles (and why we still place It’s Skinny Pasta as number one)!

THE BREAKDOWN: BEST LOW-CARB PASTA BRANDS RANKED

If you're looking at the pasta aisle, you're probably noticing many brands that claim to be low carb. Here's who really stands up to the claim while maintaining their deliciousness.

Why do we rank It’s Skinny #1 on our list of the best low-carb pasta? It really has it all. It’s Skinny has ZERO net carbohydrates, making it perfect for keto and low-carb eating plans. It’s gluten-free and free of common allergens (like soy). It’s Skinny is vegan and kosher.

But really, it’s about the texture and taste, which It’s Skinny attributes to our proprietary formula and production process. Unlike many other shirataki-type noodles, It’s Skinny doesn’t have a funky aftertaste. And the texture is ideal for Pasta recipes. Clearly, we're doing something different in the shirataki noodle category. There’s also a Rice variety that’s spot-on. It couldn’t be easier to prepare too. Simply open, drain, and heat up with your other ingredients and your favorite sauce. It’s ready in just 3 minutes!

It’s Skinny Pasta:

  • 4.5 calories and ZERO net carbs per serving.
  • Keto-friendly, gluten-free, low-carb, kosher, vegan.
  • Organic variety available.
  • Konjac noodles are ideal for recreating all your favorite recipes.
  • Comes in different styles: Spaghetti, Fettuccine, Angel Hair, and Rice (just like the real thing).
  • Quick Preparation and shelf-stable—enjoy any time!
  • Takes on the flavor of other ingredients, great texture!

Hearts of palm makes a surprisingly good pasta swap. Palmini low-carb pasta uses the interior of a type of palm tree to create a pasta-like substitution. If you've ever had hearts of palm, the taste is somewhat unique (some people love it, and others hate it). As far as low carb noodles are concerned, Palmini is a great option with fewer carbs than most.

Palmini sources their hearts of palm sustainably, which can be a concern with certain other purveyors of palm products. The pasta noodles are a little shorter than typical pasta and have a slightly softer texture. Palmini is easy to prepare and pairs well with other vegetables.

  • 20 calories and 4 grams of carbohydrates.
  • Sustainably sourced, shredded hearts of palm.
  • Vegan, gluten-free, keto and low-carb-friendly.
  • Easy to prepare.
  • Has a strong “hearts of palm” taste that some people dislike.
  • Noodles are a little softer and shorter than traditional pasta.

Another good low-carb diet pasta swap is butternut squash. Green Giant also makes a cauliflower rice swap with similar stats, as well as zucchini noodles for low-carb options. If you don't mind the taste of these vegetables, they make convenient swaps in most recipes.

Something to keep in mind with spiral vegetables is that they can often contain more water that cooks out when they heat up. It’s a good idea to plan accordingly so your meals don’t get watered down. While the stats on these are great (and they are a great way to get more vegetables into your diet), the taste doesn’t work with all recipes. They're a good alternative with fewer calories and carbs compared to traditional noodles.

  • 50 calories and 12 grams of carbohydrates.
  • All natural—contains just butternut squash.
  • Vegan, gluten-free, and low-carb.
  • Bulk up meals with additional vegetables.
  • May add more water and a strong squash taste to meals.

Banza pasta is made from chickpeas, which creates a surprisingly close swap for traditional pasta. The pasta can taste a little bit more like beans, and if it sits for too long, it becomes clumpy and loses some of the pasta-like texture.

It’s worth noting that this lower-carb pasta swap contains 14 grams of protein. It’s also a gluten-free option that contains no animal products, making it a good choice for many different diets and lifestyles. However, with the higher carb count of 32 grams, Banza may not be the best pasta choice for those on a keto diet.

  • 190 calories and 32 grams of carbohydrates.
  • Made from chickpeas.
  • Vegan and gluten-free.
  • Similar in texture to traditional flour pasta.
  • Has a slightly “beany” taste.
  • Requires boiling and traditional pasta preparation.
  • Higher in carbohydrates than many other low-carb pastas.

Solely Organic Dried Spaghetti Squash pasta is quite squash-forward. If you like spaghetti squash, this is a good choice for adding more fiber and vegetables to your meal. If you don't like spaghetti squash, then this probably won't be the best of the low carb pasta alternatives for you. If you want a big bowl of pasta, then spaghetti squash can help add bulk to your meal and increase your portion size.

Solely Squash is shelf-stable, so it's easy to keep in your pantry or cupboard. It requires some preparation by adding the package to boiling water to heat up. Once cooked, it's the same as fresh spaghetti squash—the texture isn't quite the same as traditional pasta, but it's a nice side dish for squash lovers.

  • 30 calories and 6 grams of carbohydrates.
  • Made from spaghetti squash.
  • Requires boiling water to heat up.
  • Organic, vegan, gluten-free and low-carb.
  • Shelf-stable for easy storage.
  • Spaghetti squash taste and texture.

Explore Edamame Spaghetti is another great low carb diet pasta option. Explore pasta is made from soybeans (edamame), giving it an interesting pale green color and a slightly vegetal flavor. It’s high in protein, with 24 grams per serving.

Compared to some of the other edamame and soybean pasta out there, Explore is closer to the texture and taste of traditional pasta. The preparation method is similar to traditional pasta as well—boil water and add the pasta to cook through.

  • 180 calories and 20 grams of carbohydrates.
  • Higher in carbs and calories than some of the other pasta swaps.
  • Organic and plant-based.
  • Has a vegetable-like edamame flavor.
  • Soy-based, so not appropriate for those with soy allergies and intolerance.

Miracle Noodle Pasta is shirataki pasta like It's Skinny. There are 3 grams of carbs in Miracle Noodle Pasta (1 net gram, due to fiber) and 5 calories per serving. Miracle Noodles has received mostly positive reviews, although some people mention that the texture is less close to traditional pasta than It's Skinny.

Similarly, some people report that there’s a strong smell, and some of the aftertaste still lingers once this pasta is used in a dish. Rinsing the pasta first can help.

  • 5 calories and 3 grams of carbohydrates.
  • Shirataki pasta is low in carbs and calories.
  • Vegan, gluten-free, keto-friendly, and suitable for most diets.
  • Texture isn’t ideal for pasta.
  • Some people find the smell and aftertaste strong.

ThinSlim Foods makes a lower-carbohydrate, low-calorie pasta that is high in fiber. The pasta contains oat flour, wheat protein isolate, eggs, durum, and wheat flour. While it isn't gluten-free or vegan, the pasta is quite close to traditional pasta counterparts.

ThinSlim pasta is soy-free and kosher. The low-calorie stats make it a good choice for people looking for a healthier pasta swap, but it still contains a high amount of carbohydrates. It's a high-fiber pasta, which is good for keeping blood sugar steady.

  • 55 calories and 44 grams of carbohydrates.
  • High in fiber.
  • Kosher, soy-free, and suitable for vegetarians (not vegans).
  • Higher in carbohydrates than some of the other pasta options.
  • Requires preparation like traditional pasta.
  • Some people don’t like the chewiness of the texture or the aftertaste.

Al Denta Carba-Nada pasta is popular for people following Weight Watchers and similar diets. It has 16 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber, which makes it fit well with some dietary guidelines.

Al Dente Pasta also cooks up quickly—taking just about three minutes to cook in boiling water (much faster than traditional pasta). Some people mention that it can overcook and get mushy, so it’s definitely a good idea to keep an eye on it.

  • 180 calories and 32 grams of carbohydrates.
  • Higher in carbs and calories than some of the other brands.
  • Not suitable for vegans (contains egg). Note gluten-free.
  • Quick cooking—ready in about three minutes.
  • Popular amongst Weight Watcher dieters.

LION KETO offers a shirataki pasta that comes pre-cooked. Like other shirataki pastas, the LION KETO pasta has only 10 calories and no net carbs. The pasta is kosher, vegan, and geared towards followers of the keto diet.

LION KETO pasta is a little harder to find, although it’s available through some third-party retailers like Amazon. Some people point out that the texture isn’t as pasta-like as they would prefer. It’s chewier and can have a smell that some people don’t like.

  • 10 calories with zero net carbohydrates.
  • Made for keto dieters, but also suitable for paleo, low-carb, kosher, and vegan diets.
  • Comes pre-cooked for quick preparation.
  • Texture and smell may be off-putting to some people.

GET THE BEST KETO PASTA ON THE MARKET TODAY!

We may sound biased, but stacked against all the other keto pasta options, It's Skinny wins, hands down. It works in almost any keto pasta recipe. We use a special formula and process to ensure that our shirataki noodles taste great and have a perfect texture. You won't even know you're eating low-carb noodles.

When you're watching your weight, you want noodles that satisfy your cravings and help you stay on track. You don't want foods that feel like deprivation and punishment. You want foods that are delicious, healthy, and exciting. It's Skinny checks all the boxes and keeps you feeling full and fueled all day! Of all the low-carb pasta alternatives, It's Skinny is our top pick, with the best results each time.

If you’re looking for some great ideas for It’s Skinny, don’t miss our recipe section. Order your It’s Skinny today! You’re going to love the best keto noodles on the market!

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