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.)
So why does ramen have so much sodium?
Taste is the key explanation. Instant ramen noodles often have a shelf life of more than a year with less preservatives because of their high sodium content. Ramen noodles are frequently advertised for their powerful taste, therefore makers salt them heavily to make them more tasty.
I assumed that you too like instant ramen since I do. The dangers associated with anything we cherish are unpleasant. Therefore, how can the salt content be decreased? Let’s get started on this.
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.
How Consuming Too Much Sodium Affects Your Health
Many negative consequences might result from consuming too much salt. You run a higher chance of 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.
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: 1 mug has 1160 milligrams
1310 milligrams of nongshim per cup
Maruchan: per dish is 1660 milligrams
Now examine the salt concentration profile for immi instant ramen:
IMI: Each serving contains 850 milligrams of sodium.
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.
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.
As I previously said, salt can help the noodles keep longer on the market, therefore many ramen firms add additional salt to make it last longer with less preservatives. Not simply taste is important; business procedures are too.
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.
How to Lower Sodium Ramen
These are some quick actions you can take to lower the amount of salt in your ramen:
Opt for a lower sodium broth
Simple: be careful of the sodium value of each product because different flavors and broths have varied salt contents.
It is natural that foods with good flavors—such as cheese, tonkotsu, spicy, beef, chicken, etc.—will have higher salt.
Choose a vegetable or miso flavor that has a reduced sodium level but is still flavorful if you want a lower sodium soup base.
Cook your own bowl
Ramen that is homemade rather than instant is significantly healthier. Compared to a packaged version, it will be considerably healthier. You may still use their noodles, but with different amounts of spice, veggies, eggs, and other ingredients.
Pour water off
One easy trick is to cook only the ramen noodles and throw away the water. Add a spice package along with fresh, hot water. By using this technique, the salt level of ramen noodles may be decreased.
Looking for healthy instant noodles ramen
There are increasingly healthy ramen options. Try whole wheat noodles or goods with lower salt content. In addition to using organic ingredients, several healthy companies also include vegan and gluten-free choices.
Please don’t eat it regular
Making ramen noodles is simple and they are a terrific source of comfort. However keep in mind that it is still processed food with a lot of salt. Therefore, instead of eating ramen every day, try to treat yourself to some every now and then.
One or two servings won’t harm your health, but eating it frequently might cause issues. Therefore keep an eye on your intake and seek out healthier options.
If you’re trying to cut back on your salt intake, you don’t have to stop eating your beloved instant ramen noodles. You may enjoy the flavor of instant ramen while also maintaining your health by following a few easy steps. This guide should assist you in choosing healthy ramen noodles and lowering your salt consumption.
Conclusion
It’s no surprise that ramen has become one of the most popular dishes around. With its cheap cost, filling flavors, and relative ease of preparation, it’s a great go-to meal whether you’re on a budget or just trying to get something on the table quickly. While its popularity means that it has come undersome criticism for being high in sodium, it is important to remember that this can easily be managed. By following tips like cooking with low-sodium broth, seasoning with fresh herbs and spices, and topping with lean proteins such as chicken or tofu, anyone can enjoy ramen without ingesting excessive amounts of salt. There really is something for everyone when it comes to ramen – all you have to do is get creative!
All in all, ramen noodles contain quite high levels of sodium. Given the lack of nutritive value and potential dangers posed by consuming too much sodium, it is advisable for those with health concerns to seek alternative options for their meals. If you find yourself unsure about the safety or nutritional content of your food choices, be sure to reach out to a qualified nutrition professional. Such advice can support you in making changes that both meet your nutritional needs and help limit negative effects caused by excessive salt consumption. It’s also important to remember that healthy eating is not an all-or-nothing endeavor; there’s no need to eliminate every ramen noodle meal from your diet entirely. Instead, try cultivating a balanced relationship with nutritious ingredients and mindful cooking techniques to ensure that you’re getting adequate fuel for your body — without sacrificing flavor. If you have more questions about sodium in particular or nutrition more broadly, don’t hesitate to contact us at Angelo’s Burgers! We’re eager and available here at Nutrition on Demand™ to provide answers and clarity regarding nutrition’s big questions.