Although I definitely enjoy my spinach flavored wildwood pasta slim noodles as a spaghetti substitute, there are still just those days when I want to eat spaghetti noodles with more typical consistency. To satisfy that craving, I usually eat whole wheat pasta, or my new-found favorite called Quinoa pasta. Having heard a ton about the health benefits of quinoa, I was beyond excited to find a Quinoa based pasta while shopping around the noodle section at Whole Foods a few months ago (sadly, I'm not a big fan of quinoa in the grain form since I think it looks kind of peculiar/unappetizing).In case you haven't read about quinoa before, it is a healthy grain that has a very high protein content (contains all 9 essential amino acids), and is high in magnesium (good for your muscles and your blood pressure), fiber, and manganese and copper (two antioxidants that help keep your body healthy).
Quinoa pasta tastes just like whole wheat pasta. It is great when paired with your favorite tomato sauce or you can even make a low calorie Fettuccine Alfredo (will post a recipe within a few days). Each 2 ounce portion of the "Ancient Quinoa Harvest" Quinoa linguine pasta (57g dry which you can measure on your favorite food scale) contains 205 calories, 1 gram of fat, 4 grams of fiber, and 4 grams of protein (as well as 9% of your daily RDP of Iron, 10% of Thiamine, and 8% of Riboflavin). One serving is only 3 weight watchers points (who says you can't eat pasta on a diet!), and is quite filling. The pasta is also low sodium and gluten free.
I found this pasta at Whole Foods, but I've seen all sorts of "healthier" pastas turning up in all sorts of grocery stores including Safeway and Trader Joe's.
What is your favorite kind of pasta?
Enjoy!
Juliet
19 comments:
I'm weird for not liking typical pastas, aren't I?
Although I will admit the concept is great. I like quinoa and couscous, and quinoa spaghetti sounds like a great way for most people to try out the taste. :)
PS: If you ever *do* use the Stanford gym again, make sure you point out that it's you and say hi!
This is great! I love wheat pasta, so I'll have to check this out!
I a HUGE fan of quinoa, so I just have to try this pasta out. Thanks for all the info!
Happy New Year!
I've been seeing this at my grocery store for awhile...the low protein content has kept me from trying it though. Although I am trying to avoid gluten, so if this really tastes like whole wheat, maybe its worth it...since that is more protein than rice pasta!
As for the candy cand lane tea, I love it. I really like mint tea, and I really like green tea, and....that is exactly what this is. So...it may be a matter of taste, but it is one of the only teas I drink where I don't want to put some sort of sweetener in it (I still don't put sweetener in most tea, but I WANT to, haha).
Thank you for this. I love quinoa, so i can't wait to try this pasta. Happy New Year!
Love quinoa, but have never had the pasta. Sounds delicious though and I will certainly give it a try.
Wishing you and your readers a very Happy and Delicious New Year, Juliet! :)
I have seen this in the grocery store, but have been hesitant to try it. Is the texture grainy at all?
Hey Marisa: yes, it is a lot like whole wheat pasta.
That sounds so good! I remember reading about Andrea's (of Care to Eat) adventures with quinoa pasta... I don't think it went over so well with the hubby. I'll try it though!
whole wheat angel hair is my favorite... although I also love soba :o)
Although quinoa does look really strange, I think it is very yummy. I love the nutty flavor! If I see quinoa pasta at the store, I am def going to pick it up! Thanks for another great rec!
I havent seen this one before, I will have to look for it to keep on hand when I run out of my pasta since it has to be ordered online. I eat Fiber Gourmet noodles. My whole family loves them.
What a cool idea!I love quinoa, and don;t really like pasta but maybe I would like this! I think quinoa looks kind of like couscous!!Do you think couscous looks weird ?
Happy new year, with happiness and health!
Yay for new pastas! I've tried Kamut, and it's really good, you'd never know the difference. P.S.- jealous of Sugar cookie + eggnog tea in your last post!
I have this pasta often, and I love it! If I'm not having quinoa noodles, my second choice is usually rice or spelt. I'm actually planning on doing a couple of pasta recipes soon...thanks for reminding me :)
I had no idea there was a quinoa pasta! I love just about any kind of pasta:D I recently picked up some Tofu Shiritake noodles so I'm excited to try them out, and I like using spaghetti squash as an alternative pasta too.
Special edition of Twirl tommorrow! Learn all about what happened with Wade and the wall!
Quinoa!!! The best gluten-free grain out there :-)
**My favorite "pasta" = spaghetti squash!!
Found this at my local Fred Meyer, saving a trip to WF's. Thanks.
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