“4 High Protein Pastas for Weight Loss”

Here are some wonderful high protein pastas that will boost protein intake and keep the carbs down thus making it easy to lose weight. Thus these great noodles will keep a person lean, and they can still enjoy pasta. Who said pasta packs on the pounds, here are a few gluten free high protein pastas… that will make a person feel great and look good.

Buckwheat or Soba Pasta - Soba Noodles score 100 % according to the Whole Grain Counsel for having great quality protein which includes lysine… lysine is not found in wheat noodles and many other types of grains. The only other grain that has more protein than buckwheat is oats… so buckwheat is a great source of wholesome nutrition. And Soba Noodles are also lean protein compared to red meat, fish, and other sources of protein. Noodle bowls made with soba noodles are to die for… they taste great. Buckwheat contains a relatively high amount of tryptophan, thus buckwheat helps in the production of serotonin which helps us sleep and have a good mood. And buckwheat also contains calcium and magnesium which are important for relaxing and feeling calm. And buckwheat is a great food for heal anxiety, stress, moodiness, seasonal affective disorder, psychosis, and schizophrenia. And because buckwheat contains D-chiro-inositol it balances blood sugar levels and prevent sugar highs and lows. Buckwheat is the grain that saved the Russians during the cold winters of WWII. Without all that protein in buckwheat it might have been very difficult for millions of people. Saba noodles can be found at Chinese or Asian Market and they can also be order on-line. But make sure they contain 100% buckwheat, many soba noodles on the market contain wheat… so read the packages.

Oat Pasta - When we think about noodles, oats doesn’t come to mind as our first choice. But oats contain lots of protein compared to most grains, thus oat noodles are becoming very popular. On the average a package of oat noodles contains 17 times more protein than that found in rice noodles. And they contain a good source of calcium for strong bones and iron for anemia. And most oat noodles have about 10 times more fiber than regular rice noodles. And of course oat noodles lower cholesterol and triglycerides making them important for creating great cardiovascular health and keeping away strokes, heart attacks, and even cancer. Oat noodles are a great choice when thinking about pasta, but oat pasta is relatively new on the market… but it’s making a big impact and are starting to spread everywhere. Oat pasta can be found at health food stores, or they can be ordered on-line.

Shirataki Pasta - Shirataki Noodles or sometimes called Tofu Noodles (But Shirataki noodles are not made with Tofu or fish or anything else - they are made with Konjac Flour) and they very high in protein and very low in carbs. In fact a 4 oz serving a Shirataki Noodles only contains about 20 calories compared to 400 for regular wheat pasta—wow that’s a big difference. Thus making Shirataki Noodles a great diet food for those who love pasta and still want to lose weight. At the same time Shirataki Noodles are low in fats and sugars, and they help to balance blood sugar making them important for those who are diabetic. Shirataki Noodles are made from konjac root which is a bulb of a tree (Elephant Foot Tree) which contains 16 different amino acids… making them very high in protein. These noodles also help lower cholesterol, and contain lots of great fiber for the growth of good probiotic bacteria in our gut… thus boosting our immune system. And because of the wonderful fiber Shirataki Noodles can help with diverticulitis and constipation. Shirataki Noodles are packed in water, and sold in the refrigerated section of health food stores. They are very popular because people love eating pasta and being healthy at the same time.

Black Bean Pasta - 4 oz package of black bean pasta contains about 50 grams of protein making very high in protein—Not Bad. Plus black bean pasta is low in fats, sodium, and carbs. And black bean pasta has a nice texture that’s similar to wheat pasta. Black beans also contains anthocyanins which are also found in tart cherries, red wine, and pomegranates. Thus black bean broth is full of wonderful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that can help with lots of health problems… plus black bean pasta now is pretty inexpensive. Even the big box stores are now carrying black bean pasta because it’s so healthy. And black bean pasta can also be found on-line.

Black beans contain wonderful nutrients that lower uric acid levels in joints and kidneys thus ending the cycle of joint pain associated with this disease. In Taiwan black beans are commonly used to treat gout. And black bean help with arthritis in general, sooth away pain, swelling, and redness. Plus black bean past is great for digestive problems because they contain lots of fiber and resistant starch similar to green bananas. And the fiber and the resistant starches in black bean pasta creates a good home for probiotic bacteria, with nutrients for growing probiotic bacteria… thus boost immunity.

Black bean pasta also helps the cardiovascular system with soluble fiber to lower cholesterol, lower blood sugar, and help to prevent inflammation in veins and arteries thus preventing heart attacks.

And of course eating lots of veggies and exercise is also important for weight loss.

There are even more high protein pastas on the market… check them out!

Dr. Paul Haider - Master Herbalist