6 Healthy Noodles You Should Be Eating, According to a Dietitian (2024)

If you love eating pasta and noodles, you may notice there are plenty of options to choose from at the store—gluten-free, whole-wheat, bean-based, rice noodles and many more. But how do you know which noodles and pastas to include for your optimal health? We dug a little deeper into some of our favorite noodles and shared why they can be a good choice. For the purpose of our discussion, we are lumping pasta and noodles together. (If you're following a low-carb diet, check out these low-carb pastas to try instead of classic noodles.)

1. Whole-Wheat Pasta

Whole-wheat pasta is an easy-to-find nutritious noodle that will bump up the nutrition of your pasta dish. Made from whole grains, every cup of cooked pasta (140 grams) boasts 43 g of carbohydrate, 3 g of fiber and 8 g of protein per serving, per the USDA. Most of us don't eat enough fiber, which is good for our heart and digestion, so consuming pasta is one way to boost our fiber intake. You may also be surprised that every 1 cup serving of cooked pasta has more protein than one cooked egg.

Some people may find whole-wheat pasta a little less tasty than regular semolina pasta. With the right sauce paired, like in our Pesto Pasta Salad or , everyone in the family will be happy at dinner.

2. Chickpea Pasta

There are many different types of chickpea pasta to choose from, although they may be a bit harder to find (check the natural or gluten-free section of your grocery store if you don't see this in the pasta aisle). We love that chickpea pasta has all the nutrition of chickpeas. Also, because it's made from beans, every 2-ounce serving of chickpea pasta has 14 g of protein and 8 g of fiber, offering a filling and healthy meal.

Chickpea pasta has a relatively neutral flavor, making it a perfect choice for kids who may be more selective with their food choices. This protein-rich pasta also works well in a variety of dishes. We love making macaroni and cheese with chickpea pasta or just tossing it with jarred sauce for an easy dinner.

3. Veggie Noodles

When it comes to noodle substitutes, vegetables like zucchini, spaghetti squash and butternut squash are all great options. Nutrition will vary depending on the vegetable you use—you'll usually save calories and carbohydrates compared to traditional noodles. Since most of us don't eat enough vegetables, using them as a noodle swap can be a creative way to get more into your diet. Our spaghetti squash lasagna and zucchini noodle recipes are worth trying. To create a filling and nutritious pasta dish, consider combining zucchini noodles with spaghetti.

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4. Red Lentil Pasta

Like chickpea pasta, red lentil noodles are gluten-free and deliver a hefty dose of plant-based protein and fiber. You'll get 15 g of protein and 3 g of fiber per serving (56 g), plus 20% of your daily iron needs. Red lentil pasta is a darker orange color—you won't fool anyone into thinking it's just regular spaghetti. Still, including this pasta in meals can be a great way to get plant-based nutrition into lentil haters.

5. Soba Noodles

Soba noodles are made with buckwheat, which despite having wheat in the name is gluten-free. Buckwheat is a whole grain, offering more fiber than many other kinds of pasta. Soba noodles are a variety of Japanese noodles that are often used in soups and noodle bowls. Try them cold in our Summer Vegetable Sesame Noodles. Some soba noodles are made with a blend of wheat flour and buckwheat flour, so check the ingredients list if you're looking for a gluten-free option.

6. White Pasta

The classic white pasta is delicious and not as unhealthy as people often think. Your classic spaghetti is made with semolina flour and is enriched with extra vitamins and minerals like iron, folate and B vitamins. A 1-cup cooked serving of spaghetti (151 grams) has 9 g of protein and 3 g of fiber (so not as much as some bean-based pastas and just as much as whole-wheat pasta). There are 47 g of carbohydrates per serving, only slightly more than the same amount in whole-wheat pasta.

While classic pasta isn't a whole-grain food, it can still be part of a balanced diet. In fact, most store-bought pasta has added iron and B vitamins. Consider making whole-wheat noodles for some nights and chickpea pasta for others. And sometimes making only white pasta will do. The key here is balance—add some vegetables and protein to make your pasta dish more balanced and enjoy every bite.

6 Healthy Noodles You Should Be Eating, According to a Dietitian (2024)

FAQs

6 Healthy Noodles You Should Be Eating, According to a Dietitian? ›

Diets high in instant noodles have been linked to poor diet quality and an increased risk of heart disease and metabolic syndrome. Adding vegetables and protein to instant ramen is an easy way to boost the nutrition content of the meal.

Which are the healthiest noodles to eat? ›

Best Pastas You Can Eat
  • Whole-Wheat Pasta. 1/10. Also called whole-grain pasta, this type of pasta keeps the bran, endosperm, and germ of the grain together. ...
  • Chickpea Pasta. 2/10. ...
  • Legume-Based Pastas. 3/10. ...
  • Soba Noodles. 4/10. ...
  • Rice Noodles. 5/10. ...
  • Quinoa Pasta. 6/10. ...
  • Vegetable Noodles. 7/10. ...
  • White Pasta. 8/10.
Aug 23, 2022

What is the healthiest pasta to eat? ›

What Is The Healthiest Type of Pasta?
  • Whole-Wheat Pasta. Whole wheat pasta, or whole grain pasta, is made from the entire grain of the wheat stalk, including the bran, endosperm, and germ. ...
  • Chickpea Pasta. ...
  • Legume-Based Pastas. ...
  • Soba Noodles. ...
  • Rice Noodles. ...
  • Quinoa Noodles. ...
  • Vegetable Noodles. ...
  • White Pasta.

Are noodles healthy to eat every day? ›

Diets high in instant noodles have been linked to poor diet quality and an increased risk of heart disease and metabolic syndrome. Adding vegetables and protein to instant ramen is an easy way to boost the nutrition content of the meal.

What noodles are good for digestion? ›

Whole Wheat Noodles

Compared to noodles made from white flour, it contains more fiber. Most older people don't eat enough fiber, which is good for our digestion and heart health — and it keeps us feeling full for longer.

Which type of noodles is good for health? ›

You can pick from several types of healthy noodles, such as whole wheat, chickpea, veggie, and red lentil noodles.

What is the healthiest way to eat noodles? ›

The healthiest way to eat pasta is cooked al dente. Pasta is inherently healthy, as carbohydrates are important energy sources for our whole body, especially our brain.

What is the most unhealthiest pasta? ›

  • Ravioli. These pasta pockets are often filled with an array of cheeses and herbs and covered in a thick, rich sauce. ...
  • Pasta Alfredo. Alfredo sauce is the epitome of creamy decadence. ...
  • Seafood Linguine. ...
  • Pesto Pasta. ...
  • Pasta Primavera.
Nov 16, 2011

What pasta is best for gut health? ›

For those people with gut health issues such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, a serving size over ½ cup of wheat-based pasta introduces fructans which can trigger tummy upsets. Gluten-free, buckwheat or quinoa pasta are likely to contain less fermentable short-chain carbohydrates (FODMAPs).

Are egg noodles healthy? ›

Are Egg Noodles Healthy? Egg noodles can give you extra nutrients that regular pasta won't, though they also lack in some areas compared to pasta. Still, you don't have to choose only one. Add both to your pantry for a well-rounded diet and supplement each with vegetables, proteins, and other sources of nutrients.

What is the healthiest instant noodle? ›

Immi's Spicy "Beef" Ramen is among the healthiest options on store shelves because it contains a moderate sodium level and boasts over 20 grams of protein and 19 grams of fiber. That's 67% of your daily recommended intake of fiber!

Which is healthier, noodles or spaghetti? ›

By choosing Pasta over Noodles, you, as a consumer, make a conscious decision to prioritise your health and well-being. The lower glycemic index of durum wheat semolina pasta ensures a slower release of energy, keeping blood sugar levels stable and helping to prevent cravings and overeating.

Are noodles healthier than rice? ›

But if protein and fibre is your aim, pasta wins over rice. That said, both can play a part in a healthy diet - and as the nutritional differences are quite small, it often comes down to which you would prefer.

Which noodle type is healthiest? ›

6 Healthy Noodles You Should Be Eating, According to a Dietitian
  • Whole-Wheat Pasta.
  • Chickpea Pasta.
  • Veggie Noodles.
  • Red Lentil Pasta.
  • Soba Noodles.
  • White Pasta.
Jul 13, 2023

Is there any healthy pasta? ›

Unlike typical pasta, whole-wheat pasta contains all three parts of the grain — the bran, endosperm and germ — which means it's less processed and more nutritious.

What are the best noodles for inflammation? ›

Soba noodles offer anti-inflammatory benefits

“Buckwheat's flavonoid content1 has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties2 that could help cardiovascular function by helping to lower blood pressure and fight free-radical damage in the body," Michalczyk says.

Which noodles are healthier egg or rice? ›

Rice noodles provide a healthy alternative to yellow egg noodles and can be used in pretty much all traditional Asian recipes. They do not contain any wheat flour, meaning they are gluten-free and suitable for anyone with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

Are egg noodles the healthiest? ›

Are Egg Noodles Healthy? Egg noodles can give you extra nutrients that regular pasta won't, though they also lack in some areas compared to pasta. Still, you don't have to choose only one. Add both to your pantry for a well-rounded diet and supplement each with vegetables, proteins, and other sources of nutrients.

Are egg noodles healthier than instant noodles? ›

In conclusion, if we compare the nutritional value of ramen noodles and egg noodles, the latter are slightly healthier as they contain fewer calories, less sodium, and more protein when compared to ramen noodles.

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