If you love Thai food you’ve probably eaten or seen a dish with translucent noodles on the menu. These are cellophane noodles and are often referred to as bean thread or glass noodles.
They’re similar to rice noodles but made from mixing mung bean, yam, potato, or canna starch with water.
Did you know that these types of noodles actually offer health benefits? That’s right, they’re more than just a tasty staple of the cuisine at Thai Ginger and just one staple of many that comprise healthy Thai food.
In this article, we will explore 3 unexpected health benefits of this unique noodle used in many delicious Thai meals!
1. Sugar-free Benefits
Glass noodles are perfect for those on low-sugar diets. Reducing sugar in your diet can help lower cholesterol, blood pressure, chronic inflammation, and dental plaque.
The sugar-free noodle is recommended for those suffering from diabetes. Other conditions such as eczema can also be controlled by lowering sugar intake and lower flare-ups.
A popular menu item like Phad Woon Sen is ideal for cutting down on sugar but not flavor. The noodles are joined by egg, cabbage, celery, mushrooms, onion, corn, carrots, spinach, peppers, tomato, and garlic sauce.
2. Gluten-free Benefits
Cellophane noodles are perfect if you’re gluten-sensitive or on a gluten-free diet. Reducing gluten can increase energy, help digestion, and lower cholesterol as well as many other benefits.
Rice noodles are similarly gluten-free, but egg noodles are not. It’s important to remember that other ingredients that contain gluten may be used in dishes with glass noodles.
Yum Woon Sen Talay is a great choice if you’re looking for an overall gluten-sensitive glass noodle dish. It includes chicken, calamari, prawns, scallop, mussel, onion, tomato, cilantro, and roasted peanuts in a spicy lime sauce.
3. Fat-free Benefits
Glass noodles are fat-free and great for weight-loss diets. Reducing fats in your meal will combat obesity, cardiovascular disease, and several other metabolic disorders.
Cellophane noodles are also a great source of iron. Getting enough iron in your diet ensures that oxygen is transported through the body. When the cells in your body have adequate oxygen it will burn fat.
Fat-free bean thread noodles are used in Tofu Soup, which is a delicious dish for those looking for healthy low-fat menu options. The noodles are accompanied by napa cabbage, spinach, celery, onion, and soft tofu in a clear broth.
Try Glass Noodles
Now that you know the health benefits of glass noodles we think you should give them a try the next time you’re in Seattle and dining at Thai Ginger! When you see them on the menu, you’ll know exactly what they are.
Our dishes featuring this noodle are as delicious as they are healthy. Glass noodles are also versatile and can be found in soup and salad dishes as well as noodle dishes. We’re sure you’ll find an option that you’ll love.
We have several locations so please stop by and dine with us soon!
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FAQs
Glass noodles are lower in calories and GI.
This is because they can absorb a lot more water than rice and wheat noodles; so a plate of cooked glass noodles actually contains less carbs because there's more water in it. They are also lower in glycemic index than rice or wheat noodles.
How healthy are glass noodles? ›
Glass noodles are lower in calories and GI.
This is because they can absorb a lot more water than rice and wheat noodles; so a plate of cooked glass noodles actually contains less carbs because there's more water in it. They are also lower in glycemic index than rice or wheat noodles.
Is glass noodle good for diabetes? ›
Glass noodles are sugar-free
If you're watching your sugar intake, glass noodles are a great option. By reducing sugar in your diet, you can help lower your cholesterol, blood pressure, chronic inflammation, and more. Because of this, glass noodles are often recommended to those with diabetes.
Why are glass noodles so good? ›
Glass noodles are especially great at absorbing flavor. To infuse yours, you can reconstitute them in a savory sauce of chicken stock, soy sauce and sugar. Or you can soak them in warm water first, and then add them to a hot stir-fry.
Is pad woon sen healthy for weight loss? ›
Pad Woon Sen is a healthy option because it's packed with veggies with high antioxidants, and glass noodles. My Thai friends say when they are going on a diet and trying to be more healthy they like to use recipes with glass noodles since: Glass noodles have fewer calories than rice noodles.
What is the healthiest noodle to eat? ›
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.
Unopened glass noodles can lasts for about 2 years from the production date if stored properly. Once the package is opened, they can be kept for around 2-3 months. But, don't rely strictly on these timeframes, always check the expiration date mentioned on the package.
Are glass noodles carb heavy? ›
Despite not being made with flour, glass noodles are nutritionally similar to white flour–based pastas. (Each 1 cup serving of cooked glass noodles has 160 calories and 39 grams of carbohydrates, whereas the same amount of cooked spaghetti has 200 calories and only 24 grams of carbs.)
What noodles are best for blood sugar? ›
The best pasta for diabetics to eat is pasta made from whole grains or wheat. Pasta made from whole grains is less likely to cause spikes in blood sugar, making this kind of pasta ideal for diabetics.
What are glass noodles made of? ›
'flour thread'), sometimes called glass noodles, are a type of transparent noodle made from starch (such as mung bean starch, potato starch, sweet potato starch, tapioca, or canna starch) and water. A stabilizer such as chitosan (or alum, illegal in some jurisdictions) may also be used.
Glass noodles—also referred to as cellophane noodles, bean thread noodles, or fensi—are packaged dry and usually white or a light tan color. Once they are cooked, the noodles become transparent and look like glass, hence their name.
Are glass noodles better than white rice? ›
These thin glass noodles are usually made from mung bean starch, green pea starch, potato starch and even green bean starch rather than wheat flour. This means that they are also gluten-free. Vermicelli noodles are lower on the glycemic index than white rice, but nutritionally speaking they offer about the same.
What is the best substitute for glass noodles? ›
Thin Rice Noodles, also referred to as angel hair pasta or capellini, can be a viable substitute for cellophane noodles in various dishes. These noodles offer a transparent look and a texture that is softer compared to thicker varieties, ensuring they blend seamlessly into soups and cold salads.
Can you reheat glass noodles? ›
Glass noodles, the foundation of Japchae, are prone to becoming soggy if overcooked. To prevent this, they recommend reheating in short intervals if using a microwave, stirring gently between each burst of heat to distribute the warmth evenly and maintain the noodle's chewiness.
Are Korean glass noodles healthy? ›
Keep the Korean sweet potato glass noodles, which does not contain any refined wheat products, but packs a whopping 4 grams of fiber, 475% of your daily value of Vitamin A, and 33% the daily value of Vitamin C per serving!
Is glass noodles processed? ›
Glass noodles are made by making a slurry with processed mung bean or other flour and water, which gets mixed, pulled, washed, and eventually stretched. To make the glass noodles, the mixture gets pressed through what looks like a giant sieve. Then the strands are draped over dowels and dried.
Are glass noodles starchy? ›
Cellophane noodles, or fensi (traditional Chinese: 粉絲; simplified Chinese: 粉丝; pinyin: fěnsī; lit. 'flour thread'), sometimes called glass noodles, are a type of transparent noodle made from starch (such as mung bean starch, potato starch, sweet potato starch, tapioca, or canna starch) and water.
Do glass noodles contain gluten? ›
Are glass noodles gluten-free? Yes! Since the noodles are typically made from sweet potato or mung bean starch, they are gluten-free. Be sure to check labels, however, as many manufactures may make other products that include gluten.
