Nutritional Value Of Instant Noodles
Salt, starch, palm oil, and wheat flour are the ingredients of noodles. Sometimes wheat flour is replaced with buckwheat too.
| Instant Noodles (Raw) | |
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
| Energy | 1,895 kJ (453 kcal) |
| Carbohydrates | 65 g |
| Dietary fiber | 2.4 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Saturated | 7.6 g |
| Monounsaturated | 6.5 g |
| Protein | 9 g |
| Vitamins | |
| Thiamine (B1) | (61%) 0.7 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | (33%) 0.4 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | (36%) 5.4 mg |
| Folate (B9) | (37%) 147 μg |
| Trace metals | |
| Iron | (33%) 4.3 mg |
| Potassium | (3%) 120 mg |
| Sodium | (77%) 1160 mg |
| One package is 80 g | |
| Units μg = micrograms • mg = milligrams IU = International units | |
| Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. |
Health Benefits Of Eating Ramen Noodles During Pregnancy
Not only can eating ramen noodles be convenient during pregnancy, but it also has certain health advantages. Here are some common health benefits of eating noodles.
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.
