Friday, April 17, 2009

Slim Down with Asian Style Noodles

In Japan and South Korea, the obesity rate is very low, only 3%. The people there eat noodles as one of their staple foods. Noodle soup is a common breakfast and snack in Asian countries.

Why eating noodles can help you slim down?

• They are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates (good carbs). Like rice, they provide a crucial energy source for our brain and body cells. Eating noodles may alleviate our body cravings for high-calorie sweets.

• When cooked, they absorb a lot of water. The water content of noodles or pasta is 70%, about the same as steamed rice. Noodles and pasta are bulky so they fill us up.

• They are rich in B vitamins, niacin and iron.

• They contain resistant starch which increases fat metabolism in our bodies.

In Asia, noodles are comfort foods, usually eaten with soup. Another alternative is to stir-fry them with 1 or 2 tablespoons of oil, which does increase the calorie content. However, fried noodles are usually eaten with thinly sliced meats and lots of vegetables, making it overall a healthy low-calorie meal.

Noodles and pasta are good for you as long as you prepare them as the Asians do. Avoid or reduce oily and creamy sauces.

Quick & Delicious Noodle Soup

Servings: 4
Noodles and vegetables in clear chicken broth.

12 ounces Japanese udon noodles or pasta of your
choice
6 ounces skinless boneless chicken breast or imitation
crabmeat, sliced thin
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons soy sauce
4 cups water
2 tablespoons chicken broth powder
4 ounces mushrooms or shitake mushrooms, sliced
thin
1 cup bok choy or green leafy vegetable of your choice,
chopped
2 stalks green onions, chopped
2 tablespoon sake or white wine

Prepare noodles as directed by the package. Drain and set aside.

Heat oil in the pan, stir-fry ginger and garlic for 30
seconds. Add chicken and soy sauce, and stir-fry for 2 minutes.

Add water, chicken broth, mushrooms, bok choy, and green onions; simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the noodles and sake. Serve.


Linda Yo is a certified weight consultant and the author of Asian Slim Secrets. Linda gained 25 lbs in 3 months upon her arrival in the US. She failed at every method before she rediscovered the benefit of her traditional diet. Amazed by the results, she spent 18 years to research about the benefit of Asian diet and shares the secrets in her new book, Asian Slim Secrets. Her phenomenal weight loss method has received praised from medical professionals, celebrities and the media. To read free chapters of "Asian Slim Secrets" go to www.asianslimsecrets.com