Ramen noodles have successfully managed to become the crowd favorite, and for good reason—they’re nutritious, delicious, and incredibly affordable!
It had its beginnings in China and has since made its way all over the world to become one of the most well-liked foods.
Ramen noodles come in a wide range of flavors, including creamy chicken, beef, vegetarian, soy sauce, hot, and spicy.
Ramen-specific eateries have popped up more often as ramen noodles’ popularity has skyrocketed.
Ramen noodles can be prepared quickly and inexpensively like instant ramen, which gained a lot of popularity.
They are eaten frequently not just in China and Japan, but around the world. Some individuals even consume them every day as a whole meal.
But how nutritious are those noodles? Do ramen noodles make you fat? Should they even be eaten in the quantities that they are?
This article seeks to unbiasedly determine if this food belongs in your diet.
What are Ramen Noodles made of?
Ramen noodles’ primary constituents are wheat flour, salt, water, and kanusi, a kind of alkaline water.
Sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, and a small amount of phosphoric acid are the main ingredients in alkaline water.
These components are well combined to create a smooth dough that is molded and sliced.
Following cutting, the dough is steamed to further dehydrate it and briefly deep-fried.
These dried units are then divided into tiny servings and sold in different convenience and department stores along with a sachet of spice.
Related – Do ramen noodles go bad?
Are Ramen Noodles healthy?
You first need to be familiar with how ramen noodles are made in order to fully comprehend this.
They simply need to be boiled for no more than five minutes before eating because they have already been fried once before being packaged.
At this point, the seasoning packet is also combined with the noodles. You may also add your preferred spices if the noodles still seem bland.
The most typical accompaniments for ramen noodles are a boiled or fried egg and some sort of meat, usually chicken or pork.
The poor nutritional content of the noodles alone is partially offset by these additional toppings.
One packet of instant ramen noodles can contain up to 1760 mg of sodium, making them quite high in sodium.
Ramen noodles make up 88% of the WHO’s recommended salt consumption of no more than 2 grams per day.
Moreover, unhealthy additives including flavor enhancers and preservatives are used in quick ramen noodles.
As compared to other meals like spaghetti, ramen noodles have been proven to have less calories per serving.
Nevertheless, these noodles are also lacking in fiber, proteins, and other macronutrients including calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin A.
Also, they have lower concentrations of phytochemicals and antioxidants, both of which are proven to improve health.
Related – Do ramen noodles digest?
Do Ramen Noodles make you fat?
According to one research, foods that are considered to be highly processed, such as quick noodles, make up more than half of the American diet. According to studies, 90% of the extra sugar People eat comes from these items. Salt, sugar, oils, and fats are just a few of the elements found in ultra-processed meals. According to the researchers, they also contain substances that aren’t often utilized in cooking, such as flavorings, emulsifiers, and other additions made to seem like actual meals. The study’s principal investigator, Euridice Martinez Steele, from the School of Public Health’s nutrition division at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, stated: “Reducing consumption of ultra-processed foods may be a useful strategy to address the excess of added sugars in the United States.”
The following foods are ultra-processed:
Softer drinks packaged foods Desserts and sweets baked foods in packaging soup with pasta Reconstituted meats, including fish and poultry. Consuming excessive amounts of sugar raises the chance of developing diseases like:
Overweight or obese. diabetes type 2 Heart condition dental decay In addition, one study discovered that a daily energy imbalance of 50 to 100 kilocalories may be sufficient to promote steady weight increase in the majority of persons. Hence, consuming a lot of ultra-processed meals and fast noodles might result in weight gain.
A relatively easy strategy to avoid adding too much sugar is to use foods that have had minimum processing, make meals from scratch, and serve meals that include raw food items. Consume pasteurized milk, filtered water, and freshly squeezed fruit juices. Do not consume flavored fruit juices, sweetened dairy beverages, or soft drinks.
Products like instant noodles, boxed soups, frozen meals and sandwiches, cold cuts and hot dogs, and quick sauces should be avoided by consumers. The researchers examined data from almost 9,000 individuals. They all took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2009 to 2010. Research participants disclosed details regarding their eating habits. The researchers discovered that more than a fifth of the calories in the typical ultra-processed was due to added sugars.
The maximum percentage of daily calories that can come from sugar is 10%, according to the experts. More than 80% of people who consume a lot of ultra-processed foods, such as quick noodles, consume too much sugar. Only those who consumed fewer processed foods had blood sugar levels that were lower than advised, according to the study.
What many people don’t understand is that added sugars may be found in many different ways in processed meals, including fries, salad dressing, frozen pizza, hot dogs, cereal bars, and ketchup.
Related – Can you reheat ramen?
This study emphasizes the prevalence of ultra-processed foods in the American diet as well as the disproportionately high levels of sugar, salt, and fat that these items contain. Another major issue with ultra-processed meals and quick noodles is that food manufacturers purposefully create their goods to make consumers crave certain cuisines. These dishes’ main ingredients are sugar, fat, and salt. Preparing more meals at home is the only way to stop chemical cravings and lower your consumption of extra chemicals, calories, sugar, fat, and salt.
Perhaps it’s time to start thinking about this necessary meal and requires a nutritious menu for you and your family now that you are aware of the truth about quick noodles.
What other effects do Ramen Noodles have?
Ramen noodles and processed meals both include TBHQ, which is a key component.
Although TBHQ is safe to use in moderation, prolonged exposure can have serious negative effects.
It might raise the risk of cancer, expand the liver, and impair eyesight.
The majority of ramen noodle manufacturers also include MSG, or monosodium glutamate, another contentious component.
Excessive MSG intake has been associated to headaches, nausea, elevated blood pressure, sluggishness, tight muscles, and skin flushing.
Also incredibly rich in salt are ramen noodles.
Stomach cancer, heart disease, and stroke risk may all rise as a result of this.
Those who are sensitive to salt should avoid it at all costs.
So are Ramen Noodles bad for you?
If you consume ramen noodles in moderation, it won’t harm your health, but once you go over that limit, it becomes risky.
It has been established that regular ramen eating has a negative impact on health and lowers the total nutritional value of diets.
Simply said, it is not worthwhile to risk your health for something that hardly even satisfies your desire.
Use fresh, preferably handmade, noodles in your ramen recipe as an excellent substitute.
They don’t have any additional preservatives and may be absorbed much more quickly.
Try to find other brands that provide healthier substitutes if you can’t give up on quick ramen noodles.
These noodles are blow-dried at high temperatures rather than being deep-fried to dry them, unlike the harmful variant.
The calories are controlled and some nutrients that might otherwise be lost are retained.
Related – Can you get sick from eating expired ramen noodles?
Ramen may be made into a filling, healthy dinner by adding vegetables and meat to make up for the nutritional deficiency in the noodles.
Ramen is without a doubt a go-to dish for anyone who is short on cash or has a tight schedule.
Yet if your health is your first priority, then you should exercise caution while making decisions.
Related questions
Q: How do I know if I’m eating too many ramen noodles?
A: Generally, it’s best to limit your intake of any type of processed food like ramen noodles. If you find yourself relying on these foods often, consider switching up your meals with healthier options like salads, lean proteins and vegetables.
Q: What are the healthiest way to eat ramen noodles?
A: Adding vegetables to your ramen noodles can make them more nutritious. Also, look for low-sodium varieties of ramen noodles and opt for healthier toppings such as boiled eggs or seaweed.
Q: How do I add more nutrition to my ramen noodle dishes?
A: Try adding fresh herbs and spices, such as garlic, ginger or turmeric, to enhance the flavor and add more nutrients. You can also add other healthy ingredients like boiled eggs, tofu, shrimp or mushrooms. Finally, don’t forget about adding plenty of leafy greens or other vegetables to make your dish more filling and nutritious.
Final verdicts
After reviewing the available research, it does not appear that ramen noodles are any more likely to cause weight gain than any other type of processed food. In fact, they may even be less fattening than some other options. However, this does not mean that ramen noodles are a health food. They are still high in sodium and unhealthy fats, so they should be eaten in moderation. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to ramen noodles, there are many options available. Choose whole grain varieties or make your own soup with fresh ingredients.
While there are conflicting opinions on whether or not ramen noodles make you fat, the bottom line is that it really depends on how often you’re eating them and what other foods you’re consuming. If you want to be safe, maybe limit your intake or add some veggies to bulk up the meal. And of course, if you have any other questions about nutrition or your health in general, don’t hesitate to contact us at Angelo’s Burgers! We’re always happy to help out.