Asian Shirataki Noodles Catching On In West As Zero-Calorie Tummy Filler For Dieters

The world of dieting and weight control is catching on to the benefits of an old Asian food staple – shirataki noodles – as a way to fill one’s stomach without fear of overloading on calories. Marketed in the U.K. as ZeroNoodles and in the U.S. as Miracle Noodles, shirataki has no fat, no sugar and no taste, though before rinsing it has a slight fishy aroma. To make shirataki, tubers from the konjac plant are processed into a product called glucomannan flour. Marketers say a single 200 gram portion can replace rice, pasta or regular egg noodles on your plate, delivering only eight calories. Retailers in the U.K. are having a tough time keeping the store shelves stocked, according to news reports.