Mamma Mia! Pasta is irresistible, and as a diabetic, it's fantastic to enjoy a great pasta dish with a low-carb dietary option. With the best low-carb pasta you can control your blood sugar levels, and there is absolutely no reason why you should cut pasta completely from your diet.
In this Diabetic & Me product review you will learn about:
- What pasta is best for diabetics?
- Is a low carbohydrate diet good for diabetics?
- What carbohydrates should a diabetic avoid?
What kind of pasta is good for diabetics?
Traditional pasta typically has 43 grams of carbs per serving. Rarely any fiber is found in these products. Which has a huge impact on the total net carbs of these kinds of pasta.
Net carbs are the total number of carbs without fiber. For example, if you have eaten a meal with 10 grams of carbohydrates, of which 5 grams are fiber, the net number of carbohydrates is 5 grams. If you have pasta that contains 5 grams of carbohydrates and grams of fiber, the net number of carbohydrates is 0 grams.
Non-fermentable fiber has no effect on blood sugar, so we subtract it from the total carbohydrate count, and therefore, net carbs are carbohydrates that do not affect blood sugar.
Overcooked pasta has a higher glycemic index, so it's always better to cook it al dente. Al dente pasta might not be for everyone but it always has a lower glycemic index.
If you combine a healthy spaghetti squash pasta with a tomato sauce containing a lot of sugar and saturated fat your pasta will still have a big blood sugar impact. Try to make your own pasta sauce or find healthier alternatives.
All the best low-carb pasta that you can find below in this product review have less than 25 grams of net carbs.
What is the best low carbohydrate diet for diabetics?
The best low-carb diet you can choose is a diet with quality. That means that you should always add more fiber and other useful nutrients and protein. Your blood sugar level will tend to rise less quickly and especially not reach high peaks. Add more wholemeal bread, brown rice, vegetables, and fruit to your daily diet.
How is low-carb pasta made?
Low-carb pasta is typically made of alternative flour sources such as beans or chickpeas. The fiber content and alternative flours (such as beans) used in many pasta brands can lead to gastric discomfort. Start with a small serving and see how your body reacts to this type of pasta. I usually only eat half a serving (1 oz. dry low-carb) since I find this to be an appropriate amount for main meals. I have no gastric issues when I eat low-carb pasta, and I don’t have gastric problems when consuming large amounts of this kind of pasta.
What carbohydrates should a diabetic avoid?
It is best to avoid fast carbohydrates. These cause many peaks and fluctuations in your glucose levels. Peaks and fluctuations reduce your concentration, influence your behavior, and are bad for your body. In the long term, they can cause complications. The fast carbohydrates are, for example, in potatoes, white pasta, white rice, white bread, sweets, cakes, ice cream, and soft drinks. You can always replace your pasta meals with low-carb pasta.
How to keep your pasta fresh?
The best way to keep your low-carb pasta fresh is by keeping it in an airtight storage container. Store it in a dark and cool place. If you would like to keep it good for a long while I suggest only open your package when you want to use it. After opening pasta stays good for a long time when stored in a pasta keeper or in an airtight storage container.
The buyer's guide for low-carb pasta
It became easy to find the best low-carb pasta. Various brands are introducing their low-carb products to serve the best-tasting pasta alternatives. Many want to reduce weight and now you can buy and eat pasta without any worry. If you want to get the nutrition along with low carbs, you might want to consider the below points before buying.
- Net carbs should be zero
- The pasta should be gluten-free and rich in protein
- Vegan and plant-based are a great plus
- Whole wheat pasta and whole-grain pasta is a great option
- Fiber and flour should be in small proportions
- Non-GMO
- Certified with USDA
The following kinds of pasta, grains, and flours are good options:
- Black bean spaghetti
- Spaghetti squash
- Whole grains
- Semolina flour
The best low-carb pasta for people with diabetes
Below you can find a list of the best low-carb pasta options that can help you with your blood sugar control.
Net carbohydrates: 0 grams
Better Than Noodles is famous for providing the best pasta option for diabetics. The noodles are made with water, organic Konjac, and organic oats to provide a delicious taste. Its vegan-friendly nature will allow you to prepare your meal without any worries. The zero net carbs, gluten-free, and wheat-free pasta helps to build a strong immune system.
The pasta provides 15 net calories / 4 carbs and high fiber with every serving, which comes to a total of net carbs 0. Thus, you can maintain your sugar-free diet while cooking a delicious meal. The product is perfect for diabetics and people who are avoiding carbs in their diet.
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Net carbohydrates: 0 grams
If you want to get a healthy lifestyle by maintaining your diet routine, Wonder low-carb noodles will help you in stabilizing your sugar-free diet. The noodles are made with simple ingredients to serve you the best. Lemon and oat flour are the ideal blend for diabetics and people with celiac disease.
You don't need to avoid noodles and pasta when you have Wonder low carb noodles for your meal. This is an impressive product for people with diabetes with zero net carbs and gluten-free ingredients. Enjoy your pasta, stay healthy and keep your blood sugar under control.
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Net carbohydrates: 0 grams
Amazing Lokarb introduces Shirataki noodles with zero net carbs and 25 calories per serving. The product is ideal for diabetics and people who are on a low-carb diet. You don't have to compromise on any food when you eat Shirataki noodles for all your meals. The noodles are made of oat flour and water. Its vegan-friendly and gluten-free nature will help you to reduce weight gradually.
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Net carbohydrates: 2 grams
Natural Heaven is well-known for providing allergen-free dietary pasta. The Angel Hair pasta is one of the best products for people with diabetes and that are paying extra attention to their carb intake. The hearts of palm are shredded to make pasta and noodles that serve you a texture close to al dente pasta.
The pasta has 93% more effective dietary portions with fewer calories and is perfect for a keto diet and people with celiac disease. This product will satisfy your hunger and taste buds.
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Net carbohydrates: 2 grams
Palmini pasta is low-carb and vegan friendly to facilitate diabetics with the best low-carb pasta option. The cooking time is quick, and the heart of the palm is used to make the perfect and tempting pasta. The 20 grams of calories and 4 grams of carbohydrates are combined perfectly to serve you with a sugar-free diet and keep your blood glucose levels under control.
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Net carbohydrates: 7 grams
Explore Cuisine's spaghetti is nutritious and healthy with 13 grams of fibers and 24 grams of protein. It's one of the best low-carb pasta alternatives and is specially made to serve people with diabetes. It's even better than regular pasta. You can cook it with mushroom sauce and olives for preparing the ultimate meal. The product is USDA certified and is proven to provide a nutritious meal along with taste.
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Net carbohydrates: 7 grams
If you want to get an energy-rich pasta, Great Low Carb Bread. Co is meant to provide perfect taste and energy. The pasta is rich in semolina, wheat flour, oat flour, and egg whites. Thus, you will be getting the complete meal deal with an ideal nutritional value. The pasta is excellent to control your weight and maintain blood sugar levels.
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Net carbohydrates: 9 grams
The Only Bean pasta is the ultimate source of energy and nutrition. The pasta is made with plant-based protein and 19 grams of fiber. Edamame and Soybean are used to control the sugar levels and cholesterol in the body. Diabetics never have to compromise on pasta when using this product. It is one of the best low-carb pasta alternatives.
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Net carbohydrates: 24 grams
I was a little worried when I saw the carb amount on this product but it didn’t have any big effect on my sugar levels. While that might not sound like good news, there were some other positives about this pasta.
Banza Rigatoni is a tasty and healthy product that can be enjoyed by people who avoid or are allergic to gluten, dairy, eggs. The ingredients include chickpeas, tapioca (a starchy substance), peas protein which makes this an ideal substitute for pasta lovers!
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Conclusion
Whether you want to keep your blood sugar levels under control, lose weight or just feel satisfied after a meal that tastes great and is healthy, there’s a pasta alternative out there for you. With so many options available on the market today, it can be tough to know which one will work best for you. We recommend doing some research before committing to any product in order to find what fits with your personal dietary needs and preferences.
Luckily I made this list of five top low-carb kinds of pasta alternatives - check them out! Each one of them is better than traditional pasta. Hopefully one of these products will make it easier for you to stick with an eating plan while still enjoying life's little pleasures like pasta every now and then.
