Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can instant noodles affect my pregnancy?
Instant noodles are often grouped under junk food as they have significantly less nutritional value. They contain preservatives and chemical additives that are not considered healthy, especially during pregnancy (6). However, there’s no scientific evidence that instant noodles cause adverse fetal outcomes.
2. Can I eat spicy noodles while pregnant?
Spicy food is assumed to harm the fetus, although this is not true. You may eat spicy noodles once in a while (and in moderate quantities) during pregnancy. However, you should avoid spicy food if you suffer from heartburn during pregnancy, particularly in your last trimester (7).
3. What wholesome alternatives to ramen noodles can I try while I’m pregnant?
You may try alternatives such as rice noodles, whole-grain noodles (e.g., whole wheat, millet, or multi-grain), and soba noodles (made from buckwheat) (8).
4. Can ramen noodles cause heartburn during pregnancy?
Sara Chatfield, a registered dietitian nutritionist from the Greater Chicago Area, says, “Generally high-fat or acidic foods cause heartburn. However, a high-salt meal may also cause heartburn, and most ramen contains a lot of salt.”
5. Can ramen noodles affect the unborn child?
According to Chatfield, “As long as undercooked eggs are avoided, RAMEN is not a dangerous food for pregnancy.” Ramen and other high-sodium foods should be avoided if you have high blood pressure or are retaining fluids because they can make these conditions worse. But if you do ramen, try to find low-sodium options, and balance them with some frozen vegetables and a protein like lean meat, tofu, or hard-boiled eggs. ”.
If eaten in moderation, most healthy expectant mothers can safely eat ramen noodles during pregnancy. You must use caution when consuming ramen noodles because they are high in carbohydrates, sodium, and additives and preservatives, which could harm both your health and the health of your unborn child. Since the noodles don’t offer much nutrition on their own, it’s advised that you only occasionally eat them. To boost their nutritional value, add a lot of vegetables and other wholesome ingredients like cottage cheese, chicken, or fish.
For a healthier, more balanced dinner, you can also pair these noodles with cool drinks like buttermilk, homemade fruit punch, or coconut water.
Is It Safe To Eat Ramen Noodles During Pregnancy?
Yes, you can eat ramen noodles while pregnant! However, not every day for every meal! The noodles contain plenty of salt and preservatives, while lacking in whole-food ingredients like fiber and antioxidants. So, make sure you eat them in a limited amount. Also, have a word with your doctor before you eat ramen noodles (2).Related:
The Dark Side of Instant Noodles: What Makes Them Harmful? Related:
Pregnant women are usually advised moderate consumption of noodles due to the following reasons (2).
- Noodles fall under the junk food category because of their high fat and carb content.
- They are very low on vitamins, proteins, fiber and minerals.
- The amount of sodium in noodles is one of the main issues.
- The current U. S. Recommended Dietary Allowance of sodium for adults is 1,500mg/day (3).
- The sodium content of typical cup-style instant noodles is 2700 mg per 100 grams of edible portions.
Point to Think About: Eating a high-salt diet while pregnant may raise the baby’s risk of hypertension and renal disease in later life.
- Pregnancy already involves the risk of high blood pressure. The baby may suffer adverse effects from the increased sodium intake (4)
Johna Burdeos, a registered dietitian from Greater Houston, says, “TBHQ is short tertiary butylhydroquinone. It is an additive used to preserve the shelf life of processed foods, including noodles. Like many food additives, TBHQ has not been extensively studied in humans. However, there is controversy surrounding its use. There are studies showing that TBHQ is linked to the incidence of tumors in rats, vision problems in humans, and effects on human behavior.”
