At only 17 calories per serving, kelp noodles are a low calorie, raw substitute for pasta. They are gluten-free and vegan with low GI index. Kelp noodles are made from kelp (a brown seaweed), sodium alginate (a salt derived from seaweed), and water. Kelp is an edible seaweed that is high in nutrients. High in iodine, kelp also contains over 70 minerals, trace elements, enzymes, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and 21 amino acids. It’s well known In Korean cuisine.