The Many Uses And Benefits Of Kelp Noodles

I was at a cooking class in October, where Freddie Pakier, our instructor, pulled out a package of kelp noodles to use in one of the dishes.  I had heard about kelp noodles, but had never seen them.  They look like spaghetti, and in fact can be used as a substitute for spaghetti.  The most striking difference between kelp noodles and spaghetti, is that kelp noodles have virtually no calories.

Do they taste like spaghetti?  No, they don't, but they have the same texture, and if you add marinara or any other sauce, you kind of feel like you're eating spaghetti.  Other uses in include cutting them into smaller pieces and using them as a crunch in salads.  That's what Freddie did in our cooking class, and they added nice texture to the salad.

The health benefits of kelp are numerous, and that alone might get you to try them.  Kelp is a type of seaweed, packed with more than 70 minerals and 21 amino acids.  Kelp aids in digestion, increases metabolism, and works to strengthen bones and teeth.  Kelp noodles contain a high quantity of iodine, something some of has to minimize, so check with your doctor about eating them before you do.  Their high iodine content makes them useful for thyroid functioning.  Because of their high levels of calcium and magnesium, kelp noodles are useful in preventing osteoporosis, although I think you'd have to eat an awful lot of them to prevent osteoporosis.  Finally, kelp noodles are abundant in folic acid, which plays a protective role in circulatory health.

Next time you're shopping for a new, healthy food to try, try kelp noodles.  They are relatively tasteless alone, but add a great sauce or put them in a salad, and you'll add kelp noodles to your diet.