We’ll be the first to confess that it’s difficult to resist a steaming bowl of ramen. One of those perennial comfort meals, it has chewy textures and savory tastes aplenty, is simple to prepare, and it’s enjoyable to consume.
The top ramen brands, however, are not the healthiest choice, as can be seen by glancing at their nutrition labels. In addition to having little nutritional value (most instant ramen noodles are devoid of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein), most instant ramen noodles are also heavy in carbohydrates, saturated fat, preservatives, and salt.
How much sodium is in ramen noodles?
While ramen noodles only contain 1.8 grams, ramen soup has 4 grams. Therefore, 5.8 grams of sodium are present in one dish of ramen. Unfortunately, most individuals don’t consume an entire bowl of ramen soup. Consider that you consume only a fourth of the ramen soup. You will then consume 1.8 grams of salt from the noodles and 1 gram from the soup. Hence, after eating one bowl of ramen, you would have consumed 2.8 grams of salt altogether.
What Is Sodium?
Although the words “sodium” and “salt” are sometimes used interchangeably, it’s crucial to understand that they don’t exactly mean the same thing. For strong muscles and healthy neurons, sodium is a crucial mineral. Yet, because the body is unable to generate it, you must obtain it from diet.
Several foods, including meat, dairy, vegetables, and shellfish, naturally contain sodium. Moreover, it is included in food, especially processed and packaged items like deli meats, canned soup, snacks, and instant ramen.
On the other hand, salt (also known as sodium chloride) is a chemical that resembles crystals and is made up of 60% chloride and 40% sodium. It nevertheless provides a large amount of sodium while having less than pure salt.
Related – How many carbohydrates in ramen noodles?
How much sodium is in ramen noodles?
Ramen noodles are a popular snack food, but they can contain a lot of sodium. How much sodium is in ramen noodles? It depends on the brand and type of noodle you purchase, but generally speaking, an average serving size (2 oz dry) contains between 800-1000 mg of sodium. Some brands may contain more or less than this amount.
The Sodium Content of Ramen Noodles
The salt concentration of ramen is higher than that of soup alone. Also, the noodles themselves contain a fair quantity of salt. A 2 oz portion of dried ramen noodles has about 400 mg of salt on average, although the amount might differ based on the brand and the kind of noodles.
Have you ever cooked quick noodles without seasoning them beforehand, then tasted the soup with the bland noodles? Since salt is a component of the noodles and will still be there whether you use plain water or no broth, the soup will still be salty even without the seasoning packets.
Sodium in the Seasoning Packet
Although this little powder packet is jam-packed with taste, it is also jam-packed with salt. A seasoning packet typically contains 800-1000 mg of sodium, which is a sizable amount of the daily allowance.
Use only half of the spice package or throw it away entirely to lower the salt content. This will dramatically lower the amount of salt in your ramen. But here are some things you may do if you wish to progress further concepts.
Related – How many calories are in a pack of ramen noodles?
Do you think 2.8 grams is too much sodium?
When the leaves turned crimson ten years ago, at that particular season.
I used to travel on ramen. In Japan, I went to numerous well-known ramen restaurants.
That was more than simply food for my tummy.
I was examining each ramen shop’s noodles, broth, and toppings.
I didn’t want to miss this chance, so I went to as many ramen establishments as I could in one day.
I even started exercising to clear more room for my ramen bowls.
One day, a query surfaced.
Do I consume too much sodium?
An adult should consume no more than 5 grams of salt per day, according to the WTO.
The amount of sodium depends on the ramen type
Ramens differ in their levels of salt. Also, it depends on which ramen place you go to.
I’ll now go through how much salt is in each flavor of ramen.
This is a general benchmark.
Have a peek…
Tonkotsu ramen has the least amount of sodium
You might find it a bit surprise considering how flavorful tonkotsu ramen is.
The salt content for the tonkotsu ramen is 5.4 grams.
There are 3.6 grams of salt in tonkotsu ramen soup.
There are 1.8 grams of salt in the noodles.
As a result, when you consume the ramen noodles and a quarter of the tonkotsu soup, you will consume 2.7 grams of salt.
Shoyu ramen has a little more sodium
Total salt in a serving of shoyu ramen is 5.8 grams. 4 grams of sodium are included in shoyu ramen soup.
There are 1.8 grams of salt in the noodles.
As a result, when you consume the noodles and a quarter of the shoyu soup, you will consume 2.8 grams of salt.
Miso ramen has the same amount of sodium as shoyu ramen
5.8 grams of sodium are also included in the miso ramen.
As a result, when you consume the noodles and a quarter of the miso ramen soup, you will consume 2.8 grams of salt.
Shio ramen has the most sodium
Interestingly, of all the ramen varieties, translucent shio soup has the highest salt content.
The noodles and shio ramen soup each contain 1.8 grams of salt.
Shio ramen thus has 6.1 grams of salt overall.
The amount of salt in the noodles and one-fourth of the shio soup is 2.9 grams.
How Consuming Too Much Sodium Affects Your Health
Many negative consequences might result from consuming too much salt. You risk developing stomach cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, chronic renal disease, and possibly stroke.
You might be curious as to why individuals are ingesting such high levels of salt. So, it’s not because everyone sprinkles excessive amounts of table salt on their meals. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), packaged foods and restaurant meals account for more than 70% of the average American’s salt intake.
Related – How long to microwave ramen cup?
Why Does Ramen Have So Much Sodium?
To improve flavor and lengthen shelf life, increased salt levels in instant ramen are the major causes. Food may be made to taste better and last longer on a budget by adding sodium. These may be strong justifications for the food industry, but they are not the best for your wellbeing.
Consider the salt concentration of some of the most well-known ramen brands:
- Nissin: 1160 milligrams per cup
- Nongshim: 1310 milligrams per cup
- Maruchan: 1660 milligrams per serving
As you can see, compared to other brands, immi ramen contains up to 40% less salt. Also, you may enjoy your noodles without worrying about sodium because immi only utilizes premium sea salt.
Even better, immi ramen is the first low-carb, high-protein instant ramen in the world, providing you with a nourishing and delectable noodle experience without jeopardizing your health objectives.
Immi contains five times more protein and three times the fiber than other ramen brands, in addition to having much less salt overall. Moreover, Immi instant ramen noodles are 100% plant-based, keto-friendly, and have that comforting chewy texture you adore.
Although they are a well-liked convenience dish, instant ramen noodles can contain a lot of salt. Because to its ease, accessibility, and flavor, this trend will keep expanding in American markets.
Have you ever read the nutritional information on a bag of instant ramen, though? The amount of salt contained in such tiny spice sachets is mind-boggling.
Ramen noodles typically contain 800–1800 mg of salt per serving, which amounts to 34.8%–78.3% of the daily recommended intake in only one bowl. (The FDA advises against ingesting more than 2,300 mg of salt a day.)
Related – How long does ramen last in the fridge?
Low-Sodium Ramen Tips and Tricks
Although the majority of conventional instant ramen noodles contain a lot of salt, there are certain varieties that are better than others. Just so you know, when we talk about ramen, we’re talking about the instant varieties seen in grocery stores. These often come in styrofoam cups or dried blocks with flavor packets.
Since they are less processed and include more veggies and protein, the handmade ramen bowls you can get in many Asian restaurants are often a far better choice. Remember that many handmade noodles include a lot of carbohydrates and are produced with wheat flour. As a result, they may not be the best choice if you’re attempting to live a low-carb diet. The same is true for rice ramen, which has a similar amount of carbohydrates.
In light of this, listed below are seven quick ways to make your own low-sodium ramen:
- Get rid of the seasoning packet: Since the spice packets that come with instant ramen are the main sources of sodium, getting rid of them is the fastest method to cut back on salt consumption.
- Employ low-sodium chicken broth: Using a low-sodium chicken broth is a terrific method to preserve the flavor of your ramen noodle soup while reducing the salt level. For vegan ramen dishes, low-sodium vegetable broth is an excellent alternative.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce: To maintain balance, just replace out ordinary soy sauce with a low-sodium one. The fermented soybean paste-based tamari sauce, which is frequently lower in salt, is something else you might want to take into account.
- You don’t necessarily have to make your ramen soup using chicken or vegetable broth; instead, use low-sodium miso paste. To make a miso soup base, combine the ingredients with either low-sodium miso paste or a little amount of normal miso.
- Stock up on salt-free ingredients: To give your ramen a flavor boost without the sodium, use fresh or dried herbs and seasonings like coriander, ginger, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Spice it up: Don’t forget the spices in addition to the herbs and seasonings. In addition to adding heat to your ramen bowl, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, and Sriracha will give it that extra kick to amp up the taste so you won’t need the salt.
- Add delectable, whole-food ingredients: Real food will enhance the flavor of your ramen noodles better than the flavor packet ever could. Then, pile on the vegetables and a protein source, such as beef, pork, chicken breast, tofu, edamame, or eggs. These components, which range from bok choy and green onions to shiitake mushrooms and zucchini, will considerably boost the nutritional value and flavor.
Related questions
Q: How much sodium is in each serving of ramen noodles?
A: Generally speaking, an average serving size (2 oz dry) contains between 800-1000 mg of sodium. However, it’s best to check the nutrition label on the package to make sure you’re aware of the exact amount.
Q: How can I reduce the sodium content of my ramen noodles?
A: There are a few ways to reduce the sodium content of your ramen noodles. First, try using low-sodium broth or water instead of regular broth. You can also add fresh vegetables and herbs to your dish to give it more flavor without adding too much sodium. Finally, avoid adding store-bought sauces that often contain large amounts of sodium.
Q: How do I know how much sodium is in my favorite brand of ramen noodles?
A: Check the nutrition label on the package for information about sodium content for the particular product you’re looking at. This information is usually located near the ingredients list and will give you a better idea of how much sodium is in your favorite brand of ramen noodles.
Final verdicts
A single pack of ramen noodles contains 410 calories. This number may seem small, but it is actually quite a lot for such a small amount of food. If you are watching your calorie intake, it is important to be aware of how many calories are in a pack of ramen noodles.
A single pack of ramen noodles contains a staggering 2,560 calories. For reference, the average daily caloric intake for an adult is about 2,000 calories. This means that just one pack of ramen noodles has more than enough calories to constitute an entire day’s worth of eating. If you or someone you know is struggling with their weight and they frequently eat Ramen noodles, it might be time to contact us at Angelo’s Burgers for help. Our team can provide resources and support to help them make healthier choices and develop better eating habits.