If you're on the ketogenic diet or looking to try it, you probably know that pasta is persona non grata. That's because the keto diet prioritizes eating high-fat and low-carb foods. Traditional pasta contains large amounts of carbs, which increase blood sugar and can kick you out of ketosis.
For the uninitiated, there are two kinds of gluten-free pastas: ones made from things like corn and rice flours that closely resemble wheat-based pasta, and the ones marketed as healthy alternatives to wheat-based pasta and made from things like chickpeas and red lentils.
Although a gluten-free diet is the primary treatment for celiac disease and may help to alleviate symptoms in various conditions related to gluten sensitivity, there is currently no evidence showing that a gluten-free diet is effective for weight loss or for general health benefits.
I was delighted to learn that the keto diet is largely a gluten-free diet. That would absolutely work for me – a celiac – and my dedicated gluten-free home. What to Avoid on the Keto Diet? High-carb foods containing a lot of sugar, starch or just too many calories.
The amino acids offered by many kinds of pasta without gluten are perfect for keeping your muscles, skin, and bones healthy. When the pasta you eat is composed of whole grains, it will often have higher levels of fiber, minerals, and folic acid than other options.
Ingredients:
| NUTRITION VALUES | UNITS (per 2 oz ) | DAILY VALUE % |
|---|
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0 % |
| Sodium | 0 mg | 0 % |
| Potassium | 77 mg | 2 % |
| Total Carbohydrate | 44 g | 16 % |
Pizza. Yes, pizza can also be keto-safe, but Boyer said that you'll want to use cauliflower crust (can be made homemade or found in the freezer section) made with almond flour instead of carb-filled pizza dough.
Unsweetened almond milk contains just 1.4 grams of carbs and is rich in important nutrients when fortified, making it a nutritious, keto-friendly option. In contrast, sweetened almond milk is too high in carbs and sugar to fit into a healthy keto diet.
6 Healthy Alternatives to Traditional Pasta
- Zucchini Noodles or “Zoodles†Zucchini is low in saturated fat and sodium, and very low in cholesterol.
- Squash Noodles.
- Quinoa Pasta.
- Rice Pasta.
- Black Bean Pasta.
- Shirataki Noodles.
Keto Rice You Can Eat
- Shirataki Rice. Shirataki rice comes from konjac root.
- Cauliflower Rice. Cauliflower is a popular low-carb substitute for vegetables on a ketogenic diet, but did you know about cauliflower rice?
- Mushroom Rice.
- Lentils.
- Skinny Pasta.
- Quinoa.
- Wild Rice.
ChickpeasRoasted chickpeas may be a favorite trendy snack, but they probably won't fit on keto. A ½-cup serving contains nearly 13 g of net carbs. Hummus is a better choice, with around 3 g of net carbs per 2-tbsp serving. Just stick to dipping in cucumbers and celery — not carrots.
Made from a blend of tofu and konnyaku (or konjac), an Asian yam, Tofu Shirataki Spaghetti contains 20 calories and only 6g of carbs for the whole package. Tofu Shirataki Spaghetti is: Gluten free.
Stick with the elbows, penne, rigatoni, rotini, etc.) Even though chickpea pasta doesn't contain any gluten, which usually makes sauce adhere better, pasta sauce clings nicely to Banza and you can still use the starchy pasta water you've cooked it in to emulsify and thicken a sauce.
Is chickpea pasta low carb? A serving of chickpea pasta has between 30-35 grams total carbs, which is up to 40% less than traditional versions. One cup of cooked wheat-based pasta serving has about 35-45 grams of carbs.
Just like foods with wheat, gluten-free foods can be healthy, or they can be unhealthy. Whole-grain brown rice, oatmeal, quinoa, and black bean pasta are gluten-free foods that tend to be on the healthier side. They are sources of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and are low in sugar.
Gluten-free carbohydrate sources are widely available in supermarkets. Beans and legumes, fruits and vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, butternut squash, and beets, etc.) are all great carbohydrate sources.
Here are 10 easy and delicious ways to replace conventional wheat bread:
- Oopsie Bread.
- Ezekiel Bread.
- Corn Tortillas.
- Rye Bread.
- Lettuce and Leafy Greens.
- Sweet Potatoes and Vegetables.
- Butternut Squash or Sweet Potato Flatbread.
- Cauliflower Bread or Pizza Crust.
Our true winner is the famously low-carb spaghetti squash, with has just under 8 net carbohydrates per cup. In summary, you shouldn't make any winter squash a regular occurance on your keto-menu, but every so often it's an ingredient you can enjoy while still staying on track.
The ketogenic diet typically reduces total carbohydrate intake to less than 50 grams a day—less than the amount found in a medium plain bagel—and can be as low as 20 grams a day. Generally, popular ketogenic resources suggest an average of 70-80% fat from total daily calories, 5-10% carbohydrate, and 10-20% protein.
Pasta and rice noodles are just about tied when it comes to calories, fat and fiber, as well as on the carb front (if you're on a low-carb diet like keto, stick to zoodles). Regular pasta has about 2 grams of sugar per serving while rice noodles are virtually sugar-free. Both are also free of cholesterol.
Can you eat pesto on keto? Absolutely! Almost all pesto sauces will be keto-friendly, but as always, it is essential to read labels. Some may contain ingredients that you are better off without, so this is a step you should never skip.
Spiralized vegetables, seaweed, and bean sprouts are low-carb alternatives to pasta. These substitutes have the added benefits of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Some people choose to avoid pasta because it is high in carbohydrates or because it contains gluten. Others find that pasta makes them feel bloated or tired.
A single serving of organic edamame noodles from Explore Cuisine has 11 grams of net carbs, which can certainly be a challenge for those looking to adhere to the suggested 20 grams of carbohydrates per day on a Keto diet.
Low Carb Keto BreadBlack bean spaghetti cook al dente, they are high in protein and high in fiber. Surprisingly they only contain organic black beans and water. These cook very quickly, just bring a pot of water to a boil, add spaghetti, reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 7-8 minutes.
Despite being rich in fiber, lentils contain a high number of total and net carbs, making them difficult to fit into a keto diet.
