Spaghetti vs. Zoodles - Inspiralized (2024)

Nutritional information of spaghetti versus zucchini noodles, or, zoodles, made with a spiralizer.

Spaghetti vs. Zoodles - Inspiralized (1)

There are many reasons why everyone should spiralize their veggies (actually, here are 9 reasons why!), and one of the main ones is that spiralized vegetables are nutritionally better than “regular” noodles.

We’re not saying to stop eating “regular” pasta and noodles, but if you’re focused on maintaining a healthy diet, spiralized vegetables offer you a bigger bang for your buck, nutritionally.

Let’s take a look at the nutritional profile of spaghetti versus zucchini noodles or, as many call them, zoodles. There are many different types of vegetables you can spiralize, but since zoodles are the most popular, we’ll start there!

A note on serving size

We recommend spiralizing just about 1 pound of zucchini per serving (for a large, lunch or dinner-sized meal) – that equates to about two medium sized zucchinis or 2 cups, cooked. With regular wheat spaghetti, the serving size is less than 1 cup cooked – actually, about 3/4 heaping cup. That’s a bummer, who wants to eat that little?! Already, you’re losing with regular spaghetti, because you can’t eat as much!

BUT, to keep it apples to apples, we’re comparing 1 cup cooked zucchini noodles to 1 cup cooked wheat spaghetti.

One serving of zucchini noodles

Serving size: 1 cup cooked zucchini noodles (about 1 medium zucchini)
Calories: 38.5 calories
Total fat: 0.68 g
Saturated fat: 0.23 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 18.12 mg
Carbohydrates: 7 g
Dietary fiber: 2.26 g
Sugars: 5.66 g
Protein: 2.72 g

One serving of wheat spaghetti

Serving size: about 1 cup cooked
Calories: 200 calories
Total fat: 1 g
Saturated fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 g
Sodium: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 42 g
Dietary fiber: 3 g
Sugars: 1 g
Protein: 7 g

A true pasta serving

But, as I said, I would never just eat one spiralized zucchini — that would never satisfy me! For your information, here’s the comparative information behind a large, 2-cups cooked serving of zucchini noodles versus the same of wheat spaghetti (2 cups, cooked), which, is probably what you’d get at a restaurant or serve yourself to feel satiated:

One true serving of zucchini noodles

Serving size: 2 cups cooked zucchini noodles (about 2 medium zucchinis)
Calories: 77 calories
Total fat: 1.36 g
Saturated fat: 0.45 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 36.24 mg
Carbohydrates: 14.04 g
Dietary fiber: 4.53 g
Sugars: 11.33 g
Protein: 5.44 g

One large serving of wheat spaghetti

Serving size: about 2 cups, cooked
Calories: 400 calories
Total fat: 2 g
Saturated fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 g
Sodium: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 84 g
Dietary fiber: 6 g
Sugars: 2 g
Protein: 14 g

OR, if you’re a visual person:

Spaghetti vs. Zoodles - Inspiralized (2)

Now let’s compare!

If you’re someone who likes to eat large portions, zucchini noodles (and spiralized veggies, in general!) are your friend. For the same two cups of noodles (pasta vs. zoodles), regular wheat spaghetti has over FIVE times as many calories, and almost SIX times as many carbohydrates!

Where regular spaghetti wins is in protein – it’s higher in protein than zucchini noodles, so, if you’re a vegetarian using wheat pasta as a protein source, keep that in mind! The differences in sugar and sodium can’t really be compared, because wheat spaghetti is processed and zucchini noodles are completely natural – the sugar and sodium amounts are a natural part of the vegetable, not added/processed.

Which one will you choose?

Spaghetti vs. Zoodles - Inspiralized (3)

Hope this was a fun comparison and look into the countless benefits of spiralizing!

Spaghetti vs. Zoodles - Inspiralized (2024)

FAQs

Spaghetti vs. Zoodles - Inspiralized? ›

We recommend spiralizing just about 1 pound of zucchini per serving (for a large, lunch or dinner-sized meal) – that equates to about two medium sized zucchinis or 2 cups, cooked. With regular wheat spaghetti, the serving size is less than 1 cup cooked – actually, about 3/4 heaping cup.

Which is healthier, pasta noodles or zoodles? ›

Unlike regular pasta, zucchini noodles contain fewer calories and carbs per serving, making them a healthier choice for those watching their weight or blood sugar levels. By substituting zucchini noodles in your favorite pasta dishes, you can enjoy a satisfying meal while still sticking to your health goals.

Which has less carbs, zucchini or spaghetti squash? ›

From the above comparison, you can tell that: Zucchini Pasta is lower in carbohydrates (3.361 g), in sodium (9 mg), in sugars (0.581 g), in total fat (0.084 g) and in calories (10 cals). Zucchini Pasta has more protein (1.371 g), more potassium (333 mg) and more dietary fiber (0.013 g).

How many calories are in zucchini pasta vs regular pasta? ›

Compare two cups of pasta weighing in at 480 calories, 90 grams of carbs, and two grams of fiber with two cups of zucchini zoodles at 66 calories, twelve grams of carbs, and four grams of fiber.

Are zoodles unhealthy? ›

Although like any vegetable, cooking zucchini noodles does strip the squash of some of its nutrients, they still make a great low-carb, low-calorie food that tastes great any way you serve it.

Are egg noodles better for you than spaghetti? ›

Are Egg Noodles Healthy? Egg noodles can give you extra nutrients that regular pasta won't, though they also lack in some areas compared to pasta. Still, you don't have to choose only one. Add both to your pantry for a well-rounded diet and supplement each with vegetables, proteins, and other sources of nutrients.

What are three advantages of having zucchini noodles over regular pasta? ›

Zucchini is low in fat, sugar, and calories, and high in vitamin C and fiber, making it a great substitute for traditional pasta noodles. Fiber helps to regulate bowels and maintain good digestive health, and vitamin C acts as an antioxidant to protect cells.

How many net carbs are in 2 cups of spaghetti squash? ›

A cup of spaghetti squash has 7 grams total carbs or 5 grams net carbs. Is spaghetti squash keto? Yes. At 5 grams of net carbs per cup, spaghetti squash is a low-carb, keto-friendly carb choice compared to spaghetti, which has 45 grams of carbs per cup.

Which is healthier spaghetti squash or pasta? ›

Overall, if you're trying to reduce calories or carbs, spaghetti squash is the better choice. And it's richer in many nutrients, too, like B vitamins and vitamin C. Spaghetti squash is a nutritious, low carb alternative to pasta. It's also much lower in calories than pasta.

Why is spaghetti squash not keto? ›

Yes, spaghetti squash can be incorporated into a ketogenic diet, but moderation is key due to its carb content. Keep in mind the net carbs (total carbs minus fiber) and adjust portion sizes to stay within your daily carb limit.

Does zucchini pasta taste like pasta? ›

While zucchini noodles do not taste exactly like pasta noodles, if you cook them properly (meaning until they are al dente, not mushy), they are surprisingly satisfying.

Why is veggie pasta better than regular pasta? ›

Compared to traditional pasta, bean/legume-based pastas contain a greater amount of protein and fiber and - bonus: They're also gluten-free! Just make sure you watch your portions.

How many carbs are in zoodles? ›

Zucchini Noodles (1 cup, sliced) contains 3.5g total carbs, 2.4g net carbs, 0.4g fat, 1.4g protein, and 19 calories.

What are the disadvantages of zucchini? ›

Potential Side Effects of Eating Zucchini

“Zucchini is generally healthy and without significant risks, although it can cause gastrointestinal issues” in people with existing digestive conditions, says Gillespie. “Additionally, eating zucchini raw can cause bloating in certain individuals because of the fiber content.”

Are zoodles good for weight loss? ›

If you are trying to eat low-carb, that is a huge difference! More fiber: Zucchini contains more grams of fiber per serving than regular pasta, which helps your digestive function, aids in weight loss, helps control blood sugar levels, lowers cholesterol, and more.

What organ is zucchini good for? ›

Zucchini is a versatile squash rich in vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds. It may offer several health benefits, ranging from improved digestion to a lower risk of heart disease. Zucchini may aid your bones, thyroid, and prostate.

What is the healthiest type of noodle? ›

Rice noodles are often considered one of the healthiest options available. They are naturally gluten-free, low in fat, and easy to digest. P'Nut Asian Kitchen incorporates rice noodles into many of their dishes, including the popular Pad Thai and Wonton Noodle Soup.

What is the healthiest version of pasta? ›

Best Pastas You Can Eat
  • Whole-Wheat Pasta. 1/10. Also called whole-grain pasta, this type of pasta keeps the bran, endosperm, and germ of the grain together. ...
  • Chickpea Pasta. 2/10. ...
  • Legume-Based Pastas. 3/10. ...
  • Soba Noodles. 4/10. ...
  • Rice Noodles. 5/10. ...
  • Quinoa Pasta. 6/10. ...
  • Vegetable Noodles. 7/10. ...
  • White Pasta. 8/10.
Aug 23, 2022

Are veggie noodles healthier than regular noodles? ›

Vegetable noodles are the best

Fresh vegetables used in the place of noodles are clearly the healthiest option. One popular way to make veggies like sweet potato, cucumber or zucchini look like noodles is to spiralize them, or use a machine to slice them into long, curly strands.

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