Table of contents:
- Nutritional content in ramen
- So, is it healthy to eat ramen noodles?
- Instant ramen is high in sodium
- Ramen is not suitable for those who are on a diet
- Here's how to make healthy ramen noodles
Ramen is a Japanese noodle dish. But to enjoy it, you don't really need to bother visiting the land of the rising sun. Now there are many Japanese restaurants in Indonesia that sell ramen noodles on their menu lists. You can also buy instant version of ramen at any supermarket. But actually, is ramen healthy or not?
Nutritional content in ramen
Almost the same as instant noodles, the basic ingredient of ramen is wheat flour. Some use wheat flour.
However, to really dig into the other nutritional content in a bowl of ramen, in fact, you need a sharper foresight. The reason is, there are many variations of ramen offerings in the world with different types and sizes of basic ingredients, depending on who makes them.
There are white ramen noodles (ordinary wheat flour) and some are colorful because they add coloring from vegetables or black squid ink. Not to mention considering the different ingredients and kinds of soup broths toppings between one ramen menu and another.
All variations of these supporting ingredients will contribute to determining the type and how much of the nutrient content is in a portion. The manufacturing process will also affect its nutritional content. Fresh ramen ingredients made on the spot with toppings Fresh vegetables and meat will certainly be very different from instant ramen that goes through the manufacturing process.
For example, here is the nutritional value of one instant ramen noodle product:
- Energy (calories): 188 calories
- Carbs: 27 grams (gr)
- Protein: 5 gr
- Fat: 7 gr
- Fiber 1 g
That's why the nutritional content in each serving of ramen will never be the same.
So, is it healthy to eat ramen noodles?
Source: The Simple Veganista
We cannot average it to label ramen as a healthy food or not. The reason is, not all ramen is made exactly the same. Whether the ramen is healthy or not will depend on the manufacturing process and what ingredients are in the bowl of ramen.
Ramen is actually high in calories because the basic ingredients are starchy carbohydrates. Served plain, of course, will not help much to meet your daily nutritional needs. It's different when you eat a ramen dish that is complete with variations toppings.
Although of course the number of calories will also increase, variations toppings as a side dish to eat ramen and the cooking spices it can make for a bowl of healthy ramen if the choice is right. For example, fresh vegetables for fiber and vitamin intake, cuts of meat for protein sources, to ginger, garlic, and other spices that provide antioxidant intake.
A little different from instant ramen.
Instant ramen is high in sodium
Instant ramen usually has gone through the manufacturing process to be added with sodium (salt), monosodium glutamate (MSG), and other chemical preservatives in large quantities. The goal is to enrich the taste and for a long shelf life in the store.
Various chemical additives are not good for the health of the body if consumed mostly in the long term. Excessive sodium salt intake, for example, has long been linked to the risk of hypertension, heart disease and kidney problems.
Conversely, for some people eating too much food containing MSG can cause symptoms such as headaches, nausea, muscle stiffness, increased blood pressure, and a weakened body.
Ramen is not suitable for those who are on a diet
In general, both fresh and instant ramen is arguably a high-calorie food. Especially if you add various toppings on top. That's why the noodles from the land of Sakura are not appropriate as a meal menu if you are trying to lose weight.
So, you have to really understand what the basic ingredients are in the ramen noodles to determine whether they are healthy or not for yourself.
Here's how to make healthy ramen noodles
Even if ramen is still “gray” healthy or not, that doesn't mean you shouldn't eat it at all if you want to. Ramen is okay to eat as a main meal, as long as you can ensure that you can get a sufficient variety of nutrients from a bowl of warm noodles. For example, use toppings of fresh vegetables, lean meats, or chunksseafood fresh (not frozen food).
If you want to eat instant ramen, try reducing the portion of the seasonings that are usually already packaged in the ramen wrapper. This aims to reduce the intake of sodium salt and chemical preservatives.
Instead, add natural flavorings that are much more nutritious, such as garlic, shallots, pepper, and others.
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