When we think of a quick meal for a sudden hunger pang, a late night snack, or a quick meal for our siblings at boarding school, most of us think of a packet of instant noodles. This meal, which can be prepared in just two or three minutes and comes with a packet of seasoning, is very easy to make. But have you ever wondered how good or bad the noodles inside this beautiful colored packet are for your body? Today, we will talk about these instant noodles, or as many people know them, Ramen Noodles.
What exactly are these instant noodles?
Simply put, instant noodles are a block of noodles that are dried and shaped like a brick. This comes with a small packet of flavoring powder. Most of the time, we boil some water, add these noodles and the flavoring packet and make it. But the real Japanese dish called "Ramen" is much different. It is not just noodles, but a noodle dish served with a nutritious soup. It has many nutritious things like vegetables, meat, fish, and eggs. But the instant noodle packet we buy from the store is very simple, processed, and has very little nutritional value.
What are these made of? Are they really harmful to the body?
Instant noodles are made mainly from wheat flour, water, salt, and an alkaline mineral called 'kansui'. This 'kansui' is what gives the noodles their stretchy texture and yellow color. Some people think that this yellow color is due to the addition of eggs, but usually instant noodles do not contain eggs. Now let's look at the actual nutritional (or non-nutritional) side of this.
A typical packet of instant noodles (about 81 grams) contains about 6.5 grams of saturated fat . This is 33% of the saturated fat you need for the day, which means you get a third of it in one serving.
This food contains very little fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protein. This means that even though you're full, you're not getting the nutrition your body needs. You're only getting empty calories.
The dangerous chemical added to this (TBHQ)
This is what we need to pay special attention to. There is a special chemical used to dry, package, and preserve instant noodles. It is called
Tertiary-butyl hydroquinone , or
(TBHQ) for short. This is a petroleum-based product. This chemical is also found in pesticides and lacquers. Imagine, having something like that in the food we eat. This chemical, ``(TBHQ)``, makes it very difficult for our bodies to digest these noodles. Therefore, this chemical stays in our bodies for a long time. Not only that, it also interferes with the absorption of nutrients from other nutritious foods we eat. If exposed to these for a long time, symptoms like nausea and vomiting can also occur.
Instant noodles and serious illnesses
Now let's look at the health risks of eating instant noodles regularly. These are more serious than you might think. Research has found that women who eat instant noodles more than twice a week have a 68% increased risk of developing
metabolic syndrome . `Metabolic Syndrome` is a combination of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, fat accumulation around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels. This can lead to serious diseases like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
| Adverse ingredient | Possible health risks |
|---|
| High sodium (salt) | A typical packet of noodles contains over 1,500 milligrams of sodium. This is 65% of the recommended daily intake. Too much salt directly increases the risk of high blood pressure , heart attack, and stroke . |
| Saturated Fat | These increase the level of bad cholesterol in the body and pave the way for fat to be deposited in the arteries. This is also a major cause of heart disease . |
| Preservatives (TBHQ) | Prolonged ingestion of this chemical, which is difficult for the body to digest, can cause problems such as liver damage and the inability to absorb other nutrients. |
Just think, every time you eat a packet like this, this risk increases a little. If you are already suffering from a disease like high blood pressure or diabetes, it is very important for your health to reduce such foods as much as possible. It is best to talk to your
doctor about this and get advice on a diet that is right for you.
How do you make these noodles healthy?
Okay, so do we have to stop eating instant noodles completely? No. If we have to eat them in an emergency, we can make them a little healthier. Here are some simple ways to do it.
First and foremost: Get rid of the seasoning packet! Yes, that shiny packet is just full of salt and chemicals . Throw it away.
What do you do then?
- Use a different broth: Instead of the seasoning packet, use something like homemade chicken broth, some vegetable stock, or a little less-salty soy sauce.
- Add lots of vegetables: When making noodles, add lots of your favorite vegetables like cabbage, carrots, beans, spinach, and mushrooms to it. This will provide your body with the vitamins, minerals , and fiber it needs.
- Add protein: Add a boiled egg, some chopped chicken, some salmon, or a piece of tofu to complete the meal.
- Add fresh seasonings: Sprinkle a green chili, ginger, garlic, and chopped cilantro on top. These will make the dish more flavorful and increase its nutritional value.
When prepared this way, you can make a nutritious, delicious meal instead of a lot of empty calories.
Take-Home Message
- Instant noodles are a highly processed food, high in salt and saturated fat , and low in nutritional value.
- Chemicals such as TBHQ contained in these can be harmful to the body in the long term.
- Eating instant noodles frequently increases the risk of diseases such as high blood pressure , heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
- If you're eating in a hurry, definitely remove the seasoning packet that comes with it and instead add vegetables, protein ( eggs , meat), and healthy seasonings at home.
- If you have any concerns about your diet and health, it is very important to talk to your doctor about it.
Instant noodles, ramen noodles, healthy eating, high blood pressure, heart disease, nutrition, TBHQ
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