Kelp Noodles not Raw???

[nubianrawbie]

So I've been eating raw for the past couple months. Definitely, not 100% because I have slipped up many times. I started September with the intention be 100% and I'm happy to say that I've only eaten a cooked meal maybe 2-3 times.

I actually started raw because I found this site while browsing and I've been lurking ever since. Never had a burning question until now.

So there's a raw restaurant in my city that I have been frequently alot lately. One day I had their kelp noodles raw meal. I was sooooo impressed at how tasty this was. Sooooo happy to find a raw pasta substitute (don't have a spiralizer yet).

I decided to purchase a pack of this Sea Tangle kelp noodles and this morning started searching for recipes online. Lo and behold, I bump into this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOkFyVYtGTw . I'm so new to this that I just assumed that kelp noodles at a RAW restaurant would be raw. I feel so silly for not doing my research on kelp. I feel so bamboozled. Please someone tell me that this guy is wrong.

Any thoughts??

[NaiveJeanette]

he is wrong.

direct from the website FAQ

"Are your kelp noodles raw?
Yes. Our kelp noodles are a raw food. They do not undergo any heating over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why are the Kelp Noodles clear and not green?
When the outer skin of kelp is removed, the inner portion of the kelp actually looks just like our noodles. Try it out!

What is sodium alginate?
Sodium alginate is a sodium salt derived from brown seaweed. It is what provides the Kelp Noodles with its signature crunchy texture."

http://www.kelpnoodles.com/about_us_faq.html

if you WANT to eat it and it makes you feel good, why stop just because this guy says it's wrong??(and he is the only person i've seen that is against these) just because it's processed a little bit doesn't mean it's a horrible food to eat. If it helps you stay raw (and these noodles are STILL RAW), eat them! Maybe one day you won't need the kelp noodles. I think this guy is just thinking about this too much and over analyzing things because he is a raw food "purist" (assumption based on his opinion of the noodles)

[nubianrawbie]

Ok so you're saying that is is processed in a way that still makes it raw? Or is it processed meaning it's not longer raw? I don't want to eat something that isn't raw if I'm trying to be 100% raw.

Has anyone ever seen kelp noodles and removed the outer skin? Is it indeed white inside?

[EZ rider]

Are the kelp noodles taste free ? If so are they nutrient free also ?

[Dimond]

I don't believe they're an optimal food, but okay occasionally if you want it. I don't find it necessary to add to my diet. One time someone had one at a potluck with a pesto sauce and I thought they were quite tasteless.

Just viewed the video-I agree with John.

[nubianrawbie]

Are the kelp noodles taste free ? If so are they nutrient free also ?

They are indeed tasteless and, based of the nutrition facts on the back, not much in terms of nutrients. Unless someone has seen the inside of kelp and can vouch for it being white, I'm going to have to agree with this video. Time to get a spiralizer.

[NaiveJeanette]

Ok so you're saying that is is processed in a way that still makes it raw? Or is it processed meaning it's not longer raw? I don't want to eat something that isn't raw if I'm trying to be 100% raw.

Has anyone ever seen kelp noodles and removed the outer skin? Is it indeed white inside?

the FAQ that I quoted states that the inside of kelp noodles is clear and that they are processed in a way they are still raw. under 100 degrees F

if the lack of nutrition is bothersome, its not hard to add some superfoods to a sauce for the noodles if you feel the need to...
i dont think lack of nutrition should be a reason to not eat these if it helps keep you raw. its not like youre just eating kelp noodles all day every day. as long as you eat a balanced RAW diet, i dont see the harm in continuing eating them.

if you're worried, then zucchini noodles would probably be better. but do those have more nutrition than a serving of kelp noodles?

[Revvell]

A Cai Bao (http://UBRaw,com) makes way better noodles than a spiralizer. To me, the noodles from the spiralizer are way too thin. As far as the noodles go, yes, they are tasteless. They'ver very similar in the way pasta works ~ something to get the tasty ingredients to your mouf. ;)

[sport]

I watched the clip and he sounds like he is someone with an axe to grind. He overdid the protest, made me suspicious.

[nubianrawbie]

No doubt, I like the kelp noodles but won't eat them if they have been over-processed. It's not about the lack of nutrition as I won't be eating them alone.

Yes, the guy in the video seems like he does have a vendetta but he makes some interesting points. I would think that kelp noodles would taste fishy but instead it has no taste:(.

Still hoping someone on here has seen kelp in person.

[EZ rider]

If their taste free and nutrient free are they also cost free ?

[solarliving]

I don't see how kelp noodles can still have enzymes which is what makes something raw. They most definately have gone through processing to look like they do. I have some dried kelp and it is green.

[iluvmangos]

If their taste free and nutrient free are they also cost free ?

Nope, sorry.

[NaiveJeanette]

I don't see how kelp noodles can still have enzymes which is what makes something raw. They most definately have gone through processing to look like they do. I have some dried kelp and it is green.

but the insides of kelp are clear

[RawKnitster]

According to the package one cup contains 15%RDA of calcium and 4%RDA of iron. There might be a few other nutrients in there, too.

I don't eat them often but like to keep a package in the fridge for when I'm inspired to make something with them. They add a nice texture to a slaw type salad and take on the flavor of the dressing. The only type of sauce I've had them with is an Asian flavored dressing.

Whatever you make with them be sure to make it ahead so the noodles can marinate in the sauce for awhile.

[rawrawks]

Are the kelp noodles taste free ? If so are they nutrient free also ?


Funny this was my exact thought when I tried them. Seems dead food to me..hmmmm

[Dimond]

Dried kelp is extremely flavorful so they'd have to do an awful lot of processing to take all of it out. Zucchini pasta is simple enough to make with just a peeler & all the nutrients are intact. Doesn't need a fancy sauce to taste good either.

There are nutrients listed on all SAD/processed food, so it's meaningless if the kelp noodles list anything.

Way too many other real raw/dehydrated options that make this an unnecessary item to have.

[nubianrawbie]

Thanks for the healthy discussions everyone. I think I got the answers I needed.

[tonytate42]

I have a box I just received. I will probably use them up but, they are way more expensive than zucchini. So, I will probably not buy anymore. The whole purpose of going raw is to be, raw. I have enough problems staying on track. They don't taste good enough to take the chance.