There would be hardly anyone that has not yet tried instant ramen noodles. They are delicious and appetizing. Also, one does not need to waste time cooking it for hours. It gets cooked instantly which is why they are called instant noodles.
Even if there are so many perks of having ramen noodles, there are some dilemmas among people eating it or parents giving it to children. One of the most commonly faced questions among fresh ramen noodles is, whether it is healthy or not?!
In this article, we will explore more about instant ramen noodles and we will also explore whether it is good for your health or it may do some harm.
What Is Ramen Food?
Before we explore more about the health quotient of ramen noodles, let’s first understand what it is.
It is a Japanese dish. It is a noodle soup that is quick to make and scrumptious to eat. The noodles in ramen are made of wheat similar to Chinese noodles that we generally eat. Along with that, it will have meat-based broth and some toppings depending on the taste. Some people use menma, nori, scallions, etc. as toppings. Some also add added flavor to noodles by adding some miso or soy sauce.
It is one of the most popular Japanese dishes, which is available in a variety of variations across the globe.
What Is the Nutritional Value of Ramen Noodles?
Originally, ramen noodles are low in key nutrition like you may have from other food, but still, the companies offering fresh ramen noodles add some important nutrients like vitamin B, iron, etc.
The good thing about these noodles is they are tasty and quick to cook.
The bad thing about this dish is that it lacks all the major nutrients that our body needs and consumes from our food such as:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin A
- Protein
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Fiber
- Magnesium
- Antioxidants
- Phytochemicals
Nutrients detail on two servings of 86 gms:
- Total calories: 376
- Total fat: 14 grams
- Riboflavin: 12% of the RDI
- Iron: 18% of the RDI
- Niacin: 18% of the RDI
- Manganese: 20% of the RDI
- Folate: 26% of the RDI
- Thiamine: 32% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)
- Fiber: 2 gm
- Protein: 10 gm
- Carbs: 54 gm
- Sodium: 1782 mg
What Are Ramen Noodles Made Of?
We talked about the type of noodles, meat, and toppings used in instant ramen noodles, but we cannot ignore to check about some other items that are found in these noodles and are unhealthy for our health.
- These noodles contain a preservative to store food for a longer time, which is a byproduct of the petroleum industry. It is called TBHQ (Tertiary Butyl Hydroquinone).
- The containers used to store these noodles are also not healthy as they contain BPA (Bisphenol-A), which is an alarming chemical. It can cause harm to normal hormonal functioning, which causes disruptions in our bodies.
How to Cook Ramen Noodles?
You can cook these noodles with different toppings and using different recipes. The simplest way to cook is as below:
- Simmer the water and then cook it for 2 minutes in simmering water.
- Take off the noodles and drain all the water using a drainer in your kitchen.
- Add these cooked noodles to the hot broth.
- Add a little bit of soy sauce if you like it.
- Add toppings of your choice from menma, nori, or scallions.
Your noodles are ready to use. If you have bought a container of instant ramen noodles, it will have all the ingredients including toppings and sausages. All you need to do is, simmer the noodles and they will be ready to eat. You just need to follow the instructions given behind the container.
How Are Ramen Noodles Bad for Your Health?
It has some preservatives, which are injurious to health. In addition to that, it can have multiple adverse effects on your body such as:
- Adding more fat
- Increasing risk of heart disease
- Disrupting the hormonal balance
- Increasing risk of metabolic syndrome
In a nutshell, instant ramen noodles might be delicious, but they lack important nutrients and minerals. In addition to that, the preservatives and storage cans are used to store them for a long time and making them unhealthier and causing severe health issues.
