Oh, ramen, you are so delicious. But are you good for my health? Do you have any inherent nutrition that my body can absorb and use for my benefit? Or are you just processed food? In this post, we explore everything you need to know about ramen to help you make an informed decision about whether you should continue eating it or cut it from your diet.
What Is Ramen Made Of?
Generally speaking, ramen noodles are dried noodles (either thin and curly or thick and straight) made with wheat flour, water, salt, and kansui, an alkaline mineral that gives the noodles their elasticity and yellow color.
Cons of Ramen
According to the USDA, one serving of ramen noodles contains 14 grams of fat and 6.58 grams of saturated fat. They’re fairly low in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protein. This means they can be very filling but have almost no nutritional value. Instant ramen is typically packed with sodium, and some varieties even contain MSG – two big no-nos when it comes to good health.
- Sodium: High-sodium foods like ramen are loaded with salt, which raises blood pressure and increases the risk of medical conditions like heart disease and stroke.
- MSG: You may have heard of monosodium glutamate, better known as MSG, an additive that enhances most flavors, especially savory ones. It can lead to headaches, high blood pressure, nausea, muscle tightness, and skin flushing. This is especially true if you have a sensitivity to the ingredient.
Pros of Ramen
Though these carbohydrate-dense noodles are pretty bad for you on paper, they do have a few benefits. For example, instant ramen is budget-friendly, easy to find in stores, quick to prepare, and requires minimal kitchen equipment.
You can also make it healthier by adding ingredients. Follow some of these suggestions to get started:
- Add Veggies: Every good meal needs balance, so why not throw some delicious vegetables like green onions, garlic, carrots, bok choy, cabbage, and spinach into the mix?
- Add Protein: A big bowl of carbohydrates will get your hunger under control, but will it be satisfying long-term? Probably not. We suggest adding protein like pork, chicken, beef, eggs, or tofu.