Why swap it
Traditional pasta is refined wheat, and it's very easy to eat a large portion without noticing, which makes it one of the biggest carb loads in a typical week.
Best choices
These fit the Weigh to Stay approach: real food, with refined carbs and added sugar kept low.
- Zucchini noodles. Spiralized fresh or bought ready-made. Light, quick, and very low in carbs.
- Spaghetti squash. Roast it, scrape out the strands, and top it like spaghetti.
- Shirataki noodles. Made from konjac fiber, with almost no carbs. Rinse well and pan-dry before saucing.
- Hearts of palm pasta. Mild, tender, and low in carbs. Holds up well under sauce.
In moderation
Better than the original, and a fine everyday choice. Just keep the portion reasonable.
- Chickpea or lentil pasta. More protein and fiber than wheat pasta, but still carb-dense. Keep it to a small portion.
- Half-and-half bowls. Mix a small amount of regular pasta with zucchini noodles to ease the transition.
My go-to picks
The specific brands I buy and use myself are coming soon.
Shopping tip
The sauce matters too. Many jarred sauces contain added sugar, so check the label and look for ones with no sugar added.
← All Healthy Food Alternatives
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