Expert Q&A

Has anyone here made their own low-carb pasta? I want to try during the weight loss plateau phase

Why Low-Carb Pasta Helps During a Weight Loss Plateau

I've seen hundreds of people in their mid-40s to mid-50s hit a stubborn plateau, especially when hormonal changes like perimenopause or insulin resistance from diabetes make fat loss feel impossible. Traditional pasta spikes blood sugar, derailing progress on blood pressure and weight goals. Making your own low-carb pasta gives you control with just 5-10 net carbs per serving, helping you stay in a mild calorie deficit without feeling deprived. This aligns perfectly with the CFP method I outline in my book, which emphasizes sustainable swaps that respect joint pain and limited time.

Simple Homemade Low-Carb Pasta Recipes for Beginners

Start with the easiest option: konjac noodles (also called shirataki). Rinse a 7-oz package thoroughly for 2 minutes under cold water to remove any odor, then boil for 3 minutes. Dry-fry in a nonstick pan for 2 minutes to improve texture. Toss with olive oil, garlic, spinach, and grilled chicken for a 15-minute dinner under 150 calories. For variety, try my zucchini-based 'zoodles.' Spiralize 2 medium zucchinis, salt for 10 minutes to draw out water, then sauté lightly. One cup delivers only 4 net carbs and supports joint-friendly, anti-inflammatory meals.

For a heartier texture that mimics real pasta, mix 1 cup almond flour, 2 eggs, and 1 tsp psyllium husk powder. Roll thin, cut into strips, and boil 2-4 minutes. This version has 6 net carbs per serving and pairs well with a simple marinara made from crushed tomatoes, herbs, and a touch of olive oil. These recipes require no fancy equipment and take less than 20 minutes, fitting busy middle-income schedules without insurance-covered programs.

Integrating Low-Carb Pasta Into Your CFP Plateau Strategy

During a plateau, I recommend cycling these noodles 3-4 times weekly while tracking total daily carbs below 50g. Combine with 20-minute walks to ease joint pain and light resistance bands you can use at home. This approach addresses the overwhelm of conflicting advice by focusing on blood sugar stability, which often improves diabetes markers within 2-3 weeks. In my book, I stress pairing these meals with adequate protein (25g per meal) and healthy fats to keep you full and support hormonal balance. Many clients report losing 2-4 pounds after breaking through a plateau this way, without extreme exercise that aggravates knees or hips.

Tips for Success and Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Always measure portions to prevent overeating calorie-dense almond flour versions. Store fresh noodles in the fridge up to 5 days. If taste is an issue at first, season boldly with parmesan, lemon zest, or chili flakes. Stay consistent for 10-14 days to notice changes in energy and scale weight. These homemade options cost under $2 per serving, making them accessible without relying on expensive packaged products. Remember, patience with your body's hormonal shifts is key to long-term success in the CFP Weight Loss approach.

💬 What the Community Says

The community shows strong interest in homemade low-carb pasta during plateau phases, with many 45-55 year olds sharing success stories using konjac, zucchini, or almond flour versions. Most appreciate the blood sugar control that helps with diabetes and blood pressure management, reporting easier adherence than store-bought options. A common debate centers on texture—some find shirataki noodles off-putting at first but say rinsing and dry-frying makes them palatable, while others prefer the heartier homemade egg and almond flour noodles despite slightly higher carbs. Joint pain sufferers frequently mention these quick recipes fit limited schedules better than complicated meal preps. A vocal minority warns against over-relying on nut flours due to calorie density, and several express relief at finally having affordable alternatives after insurance denied coverage for formal programs. Overall sentiment is encouraging, with users trading simple seasoning tips and celebrating small scale victories after 1-2 weeks.
Clark, R. (2026). Has anyone here made their own low-carb pasta? I want to try during the weight . *CFP Weight Loss*. https://blog.cfpweightloss.com/ask/has-anyone-here-made-their-own-low-carb-pasta-i-want-to-try-during-the-weight-loss-plateau-phase
Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN
About the Author

Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, is the founder of CFP Weight Loss in Nashville and CFP Fit Now telehealth. Over 35 years in healthcare — Army Nurse Reserves, Level 1 trauma ER, hospitalist — he developed a 30-week protocol integrating real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 30–90 pounds. He and his wife Anne-Marie lost a combined 275 pounds using the same protocol.

Have a follow-up question?
More Questions 200 answered
Should i really be aiming for 45 zone 2 minutes per day for fat loss for people with insulin resistance Have to stop for 3 weeks for surgery and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels How to BOOST metabolism and BURN fat-- VERY EASY AND QUICK — how a functional medicine approach differs 📖 Insulin Resistance — A condition where your cells stop responding to insulin, locking fat in storage; our protocol is designed to unlock thes… Two week pause, ok to return to current dose and the role of cortisol and stress hormones How do you know you are in meno if you take continuous bc — how a functional medicine approach differs How I feel every time I go grocery shopping while doing intermittent fasting What a 55 water fast did for me for people with insulin resistance Astounded to see that 19 million people in the US are on levothyroxine. Why is hypothyroidism so prevalent? What is causing such crazy high levels of thyroid disease while doing intermittent fasting 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Is tomato paste lectin free — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend? Guys, did you know the POWER of exercise for your body and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels 📖 Rebound Weight Gain — The common 'yo-yo' effect caused by high-dose, continuous GLP-1 use; we prevent this through strategic cycling and metab… So if you're spacing out your shots - what are y'all doing with extra injectors and the role of cortisol and stress hormones Opened monjuaro pen is it safe to use — how a functional medicine approach differs Has anyone lost weight on this diet — how a functional medicine approach differs Same Workout Until it becomes Zone 2 while doing intermittent fasting App that can predict symptoms before they get bad — how a functional medicine approach differs What is your best way to shift focus when starting and changing your HRT while doing intermittent fasting 📖 Strategic Fat Loading — A critical 48-hour phase at the start of the reset where we prime the body with healthy fats to trigger the transition f… 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Anyone worried about the FDA crackdown and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels Has anyone been diagnosed with Hashimotos after going through emotional distress or chronic stress in general for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's Eyelid myokymia/twitching caused by oral progesterone — how a functional medicine approach differs What the hell is wrong with this sub for people with insulin resistance Carbon Dioxide Breathalyzer — how a functional medicine approach differs How I'm greeted most mornings — evidence-based answer for CFP patients 📖 Lectin-Free Living — Eliminating inflammatory plant proteins that damage the gut lining and trigger the autoimmune responses that often stall… Can deep extended autophagy reverse deep cavities, does anyone have any experience regarding this and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels Two week pause, ok to return to current dose and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels Is estriol as effective as estradiol for clitoral atrophy and the role of cortisol and stress hormones Is it just me or is Hashimoto’s greatly underrepresented while doing intermittent fasting 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Did exercise ever get rid of fatigue from insulin resistance while doing intermittent fasting 📖 Modern Wheat Dangers — The hidden threat in hybridized grains that causes gut inflammation and spikes blood sugar more aggressively than pure t… Estradiol Cypionate- I’ve been underdosing- what dose are you at on a low-carb or ketogenic diet Starting my second extended fast tomorrow. Hoping for 12 days or maybe do another 42 while doing intermittent fasting What would be the cause of insulin resistance while doing intermittent fasting What has autophagy cured/made better in you and the role of cortisol and stress hormones 📖 Metabolic Stall — A plateau in weight loss often caused by hidden inflammation or hormonal adaptation, which we break using our specific 7… When feeling down, remember that PCOS is what helped our ancestors survive for people with insulin resistance When the clock starts over while doing intermittent fasting How it goes trying to dose insulin every day: how to talk to your doctor about this Did anyone else feel like Trintellix completely blunted their GLP-1 (Mounjaro/Wegovy) effect — how a functional medicine approach differs What would be the cause of insulin resistance: best practices and common mistakes to avoid 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → How I reversed insulin resistance in 6–8 months and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels Had my hashi’s annihilated thyroid removed today — how a functional medicine approach differs 📖 Refined Carbohydrates — Processed sugars and flours that strip the body of nutrients while driving the hormonal chaos responsible for the modern… Anyone skip a week when sick while doing intermittent fasting Has anyone tried this lectin free lifestyle living with PCOS while doing intermittent fasting What about oxalates — how a functional medicine approach differs What is this new frozen hell specifically for women over 40 How it goes trying to dose insulin every day and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels Anyone use an auto injector for the compounded med: what to track and how to measure progress 📖 GIP (Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide) — A hormone that, when combined with GLP-1, enhances the body’s ability to break down fat and manage blood sugar levels mo… 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Guys, did you know the POWER of exercise for your body and the role of cortisol and stress hormones What keto plus compounded tirzepatide for the last five months looked like: best practices and common mistakes to avoid Is the idea of the kitchen timer to eventually get to the point where someone has an orgasm just from hearing the ding? Pavlov's orgasm while doing intermittent fasting Do I need a dose change — how a functional medicine approach differs 📖 Nutrient Density — Prioritizing foods that provide maximum vitamins and minerals per calorie to satisfy the brain and end the cycle of hidd… Biochemistry. Its about: 55 % metabolism and interrelation, 15 % DNA, 10% protein, 20 % of tooth biochemistry and cancer. I have only pictures of this example test given to me so I can't post it and how it connects to gut health and inflammation Had my annual physical today — how a functional medicine approach differs