Ramen noodles: Good or bad?

Ramen noodles are a type of instant noodle enjoyed by many around the world.

Because they’re inexpensive and only require minutes to prepare, they appeal to people on a budget or short on time.

Though instant ramen noodles may be convenient, there’s confusion as to whether eating them regularly is healthy.

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This article takes an objective look at instant ramen noodles to help you decide whether this convenient dish can fit into a healthy diet.

Ramen noodles are lacking in critical nutrients

Ramen noodles are a packaged, instant type of noodle made from wheat flour, various vegetable oils, and flavorings.

The noodles are pre-cooked, meaning they have been steamed and then air-dried or fried to shorten the cooking time for consumers.

Instant ramen noodles are sold in packages with a small packet of seasoning or in cups to which water can be added and then microwaved.

Preparing instant ramen noodles involves adding the noodles to a pot of seasoned boiling water. The noodles can also be cooked in a microwave, so they’re often a staple food for college students living in dormitories.

There’s no doubt that Ramen noodles are tasty and convenient, but their nutritional value deserves closer examination.

Ramen noodles nutrition

Though nutritional information varies between products, most instant ramen noodles are low in calories but lack vital nutrients.

For example, one serving of chicken-flavored instant ramen noodles has:

• Calories: 188
• Carbs: 27 grams
• Total fat: 7 grams
• Protein: 5 grams
• Fiber: 1 gram
• Sodium: 891 mg
• Thiamine: 16% of the RDI
• Folate: 13% of the RDI
• Manganese: 10% of the RDI
• Iron: 9% of the RDI
• Niacin: 9% of the RDI
• Riboflavin: 6% of the RDI

Instant ramen noodles are made with wheat flour fortified with synthetic forms of certain nutrients like iron and B vitamins to make the noodles more nutritious.

However, they lack many essential nutrients, including protein, fiber, vitamin A, C, B12, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

What’s more, unlike whole, fresh foods, packaged foods like instant ramen noodles fall short in antioxidants and phytochemicals that positively impact health in many ways.

Not to mention, they pack in a reasonable amount of calories without the vast array of nutrients that a more balanced meal consisting of protein, vegetables, and complex carbs would contain.

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Though one serving (43 grams) of ramen noodles has only 188 calories, most people consume an entire package, which equates to two servings and 371 calories.

It should be noted that instant ramen noodles are different from fresh ramen noodles, which are traditional Chinese or Japanese noodles typically served in soup form and topped with nutritious ingredients like eggs, duck meat, and vegetables.

Summary: While instant ramen noodles provide several nutrients like iron, B vitamins, and manganese, they lack fiber, protein, and other essential vitamins and minerals.

Ramen noodles are loaded with sodium

Sodium is a mineral essential for your body’s proper functioning.

However, too much sodium from excess salt in the diet isn’t good for your health.

One of the most significant contributors to dietary sodium intake is processed foods, including packaged foods like ramen noodles.

Not consuming enough sodium has been linked to adverse effects, but taking too much can also negatively impact health.

For example, having a diet high in salt has been linked to an increased risk of stomach cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

What’s more, in certain people who are salt sensitive, a high-sodium diet may raise blood pressure, which can negatively impact heart and kidney health.

Though there’s debate over the validity of the current intake recommendation of two grams of sodium per day set forth by the World Health Organization, it’s clear that limiting foods that are incredibly high in salt is best.

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Instant ramen noodles are very high in sodium, with one package containing 1,760 mg of sodium, or 88% of the 2-gram recommendation suggested by the WHO.

Consuming just one package of ramen noodles daily would make it very difficult to keep sodium intake close to the current dietary recommendations.

But since ramen noodles are cheap and quick to prepare, it’s an easy food to rely on for people who are crunched for time.

For this reason, many people likely consume ramen multiple times per day, which can lead to massive amounts of ingested sodium.

Summary: Ramen noodles are a high-sodium food. Consuming too much sodium can negatively impact your health and has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stomach cancer, and stroke.

Ramen noodles contain MSG and TBHQ

Like many processed foods, instant ramen noodles contain ingredients like flavor enhancers and preservatives, which can harm your health.

Tertiary butylhydroquinone — commonly known as TBHQ — is a common ingredient in instant ramen noodles.

It’s a preservative used to extend shelf life and prevent the spoilage of processed foods.

While TBHQ is considered safe in very small doses, animal studies have shown that chronic exposure to TBHQ may lead to neurological damage, increase the risk of lymphoma and cause liver enlargement.

Plus, some people exposed to TBHQ have experienced vision disturbances, and test-tube studies have shown that this preservative can damage DNA.

Another controversial ingredient in most instant ramen noodles brands is monosodium glutamate (MSG).

It’s an additive used to enhance the flavor of savory foods and make them more palatable.

Certain people may be more sensitive to MSG than others. Consumption of this preservative has been linked to symptoms like headaches, nausea, high blood pressure, weakness, muscle tightness, and skin flushing.

Though these ingredients have been linked to several adverse health effects in large doses, the small amounts found in food are likely safe in moderation.

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However, those particularly sensitive to additives like MSG may want to steer clear of instant ramen noodles and other highly processed foods.

Summary: Instant ramen noodles may contain MSG and TBHQ — food additives that may be detrimental to health when consumed in large doses.

Should you avoid ramen noodles?

Though eating instant ramen noodles occasionally won’t harm your health, regular consumption has been linked to poor overall diet quality and several adverse health effects.

A study of 6,440 Korean adults found that those who regularly ate instant noodles had lower intakes of protein, phosphorus, calcium, iron, potassium, niacin, and vitamins A and C compared to those who didn’t consume this food.

Those who frequently ate instant noodles consumed significantly fewer vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, meat, and fish.

Regular instant noodle consumption has also been associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, a group of symptoms including excess abdominal fat, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal blood lipid levels.

As a result, it’s best to limit your intake of instant ramen noodles and not use them as a meal substitute regularly.

How to make ramen noodles healthier

There are several ways to make this convenient dish healthier for those who enjoy eating instant ramen noodles.

• Add vegetables: Adding fresh or cooked vegetables like carrots, broccoli, onions, or mushrooms to instant ramen noodles will help add nutrients that plain ramen noodles lack.
• Pile on protein: Since ramen noodles are low in protein, topping them with eggs, chicken, fish, or tofu will provide a source of protein that will keep you fuller.
• Choose low-sodium versions: Instant ramen noodles are available in low-sodium options, which can drastically cut the salt content of the dish.
• Ditch the flavor packet: Create your own broth by mixing low-sodium chicken stock with fresh herbs and spices for a healthier, lower-sodium version of ramen noodles.

While instant ramen noodles are a cheap carbohydrate source, many other healthy, affordable carb options exist.

Brown rice, oats, and potatoes are versatile, inexpensive carbs for those looking to save money.

Summary: Diets high in instant noodles have been linked to poor diet quality and increased heart disease and metabolic syndrome risk. Adding vegetables and protein to instant ramen is an easy way to boost the meal’s nutritional content.

Summary

Though instant ramen noodles provide iron, B vitamins, and manganese, they lack fiber, protein, and other crucial vitamins and minerals.

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Additionally, their MSG, TBHQ and high sodium contents may negatively affect health, such as increasing your risk of heart disease, stomach cancer, and metabolic syndrome.

Limiting the consumption of processed foods like instant ramen noodles and eating plenty of whole, unprocessed foods is always the best choice for your health.