CarolCooks2…Food Reviews…Ramen Noodles…Should you be eating them?

 

Welcome to Friday Food Reviews where I will be covering a different food or product each week and looking at… what are they?  where do they grow, what can we substitute them for in a recipe, are they safe to eat, how to store them, how to use them, cook them, anything connected to that food. or product..all the why’s and the wherefores…it will, of course, be mainly my own opinion or a known fact…good or bad…there may even be a tried and tested recipe…or three…

This post is reposting an updated version of a post I wrote a few years ago…

This week it’s…Ramen Noodles…

Instant, quick-cook Ramen Noodles seem to line every store’s shelves in their hundreds. A packet for one or multi-packs, they ALSO come in pots and packages for ease of use BUT exactly what are you eating or giving your children to eat???

You just know that I am going to tell you…Don’t you???

Ramen noodles are particularly unhealthy because they contain a food additive called Tertiary-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), a preservative that is a petroleum industry byproduct. They’re also incredibly high in sodium, calories and saturated fat.

The containers packaging these noodles aren’t helping much either. The dreaded chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) is widely used in the styrofoam cups in which we often buy our ramen noodle lunches. Among other things, BPA may be a carcinogen. It is also considered a hormone disruptor, negatively affecting natural hormones in our bodies such as estrogen.

Between the preservatives and the packaging, instant noodles are a minefield of potential health problems. The more you eat, the worse it is. It’s just not worth the risk.

Yet Again, Proof That We Should Avoid Processed Foods

Most ramen noodles are fried in palm oil but there are now noodles on the market which are air-dried…healthier???…there are noodles which contain aloe vera, moringa, and purple noodles but they still contain wheat…noodles need gluten…

Now are these air-dried noodles with healthy additives better and healthier…there is still that little packet of flavouring to go into the noodles and that changes the profile once again…This video breaks it all down…well worth a watch…it asks “Is there Such a Thing as Healthier Instant Noodles?

What do you think now you have watched the video?

Let’s break down what is actually in that packet of noodles…

 Tertiary-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), 

Is a synthetic antioxidant that is added to foods to prevent or delay oxidation. Oxidation causes food to lose flavour quality, and colour and can even cause foods to become toxic. In addition, oxidation causes vitamins to break down, causing food to lose some of its nutritional value.

TBHQ, which stands for tertiary butylhydroquinone, is commonly used in foods such as crackers, microwave popcorn, butter and chicken nuggets.

Used to extend the shelf life of oily and fatty foods. In processed foods, it’s sprayed on the food or on its packaging to prevent discolouration and changes to flavour and odour. Other products, such as cosmetics, perfumes, varnishes and lacquers, contain TBHQ to maintain stability.

I am already feeling quite sick and so pleased that I have never had any of this pass my lips… I can’t say that for other family members…

Much of the hype surrounding TBHQ dwells on its relationship to butane, a component of lighter fluid.TBHQ is composed in part of a grouping of four carbon atoms, called a “butyl.” Many harmless substances, such as butter, also contain butyl. The word butyl is even derived from the Latin word for butter, “butyrum.”

Although TBHQ might be safe in small doses, that doesn’t mean it’s healthy for you. And since it’s used to preserve processed foods that are naturally oily or fatty, avoiding these foods would certainly be a healthy choice. When considering your health, do a bit of research before deciding that the popular account is the correct one.

I myself am very sceptical as so many foods which have been deemed to be safe for us have proved not to be and those who can are now in many cases wildly back-peddling on their previous claims.

I don’t wish to give anything like this the benefit of the doubt I would err on the side of caution and avoid it like the plague…

Are there healthy Ramen Noodles?

There are so many noodles of different shapes and sizes and indeed much healthier for us…

Restaurant Ramen Noodles.

Don’t be fooled by the seemingly advertised healthy broth because some varieties contain 10 to 15 grams of fat, which is equivalent to the calories in two to three pats of butter.” And the nutritional hits don’t stop there: A single restaurant serving of ramen can contain half of your recommended sodium limit for the day — What can a ramen Noodle lover do?

Simples…Make your own! This is a fun tongue cheek video with a message…

https://youtu.be/cUlITTAML-k

This guy is actually quite funny and his recipes good… If you really haven’t the time then these are some healthy Ramen Noodles…Google is a good source if you put in Healthy Ramen Noodles and then do a little research to double-check. If you are going to tell me that you are ultra-busy at work and instant noodles are quick and easy then my response is what price do you put on your health?

the message is if you eat ramen occasionally Enjoy!.. If you are eating them daily or your kids are then choose wisely as there are  proven health risks,,,

Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all have a great week and as always I look forward to your comments x

43 thoughts on “CarolCooks2…Food Reviews…Ramen Noodles…Should you be eating them?”

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  2. D. Wallace Peach

    I remember eating these in college because they were so impossibly cheap, Carol, and I think I knew in the back of my mind that there was no way they could be healthy for me. My grandson loves them, but his mom is a health fanatic, so I’m almost certain she has found an “approved” variety. Believe me that I’m going to ask her. She’ll probably be insulted, but I won’t be able to help myself. Lol Thanks for the great information!

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    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      You are welcome, Diana but I’m sure with research and all the fuss there are some healthier Ramen Noodles and again it does depend on moderation and not excess eating of them 🙂 x

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Liz Gauffreau

    Interesting. I tried ramen noodles a couple of times when my food budget was very tight, and I just didn’t like them. I haven’t had them since. My husband doesn’t like them either.

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. pfiddlergal

    This was fascinating. I had no idea the noodles were fried in palm oil. Instead I deluded myself into thinking it was just the spice package that was cringe inducing. But Carol is the process for making egg noodles or dried spaghetti so very different? What about soba and rice noodles? Are there any pitfalls ther? Marvelous post Carol.

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    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      As far as I am aware other types of noodles are either dried or sold fresh one of the reasons ramen are fried is because they are reconstituted in hot water they are already cooked… dried or fresh pasta/noodles have to be cooked…Hope that helps 🙂

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      2. CarolCooks2 Post author

        Of course you can if you go to where you like the post the reblog button is to the left of the like button…Hope that helps 🙂

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  13. Greg Taniguchi

    You make some valid points, especially about the amount of sodium of instant ramen although you’re why I blog. Regardless of all the information out there (you do research though which is very cool), I see articles like yours that are silly AF… you have your own narrative you want to promote. I say that because you go from instant noodles, a restaurant version, to your version which is not ramen (unfortunately knowing what ramen is, is lost on so many and all too many “ching chong” it up by lumping all Asians as one). You lump in a Thai dish which is like talking about Russian stroganoff and then giving out a recipe for puttanesca (it’s all over the place). Just simply call your noodles, noodle soup because it has absolutely nothing to do with Japan or ramen. Oh, as for health, Japan ranks #1 on life expectancy, 166th on being obese (the US ranks 17th), so before claiming to have healthier food/lifestyle, maybe you might want to research more.

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  15. inesephoto

    When my daughter was a teenager she ate them with her friends. Thankfully, she is a mother of three now and I have never seen a single pack of them in her pantry 🙂 I wish people realise that not everything is edible.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. marianbeaman

    A recipe I make rarely but do get compliments on is Nutty Slaw Salad which contains uncooked, crushed Ramen noodles. It also contains a whole chopped cabbage, slivered almonds, and sunflower seeds with a vinegar-based dressing. The video does say the results of the Ramen noodle study are inconclusive, and since I don’t make it often (probably twice a year), I guess it won’t do much harm.

    I don’t have time to make my own noodles, but could choose as healthier kind for this salad dish, I suppose. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      I think Moderation is the key with most things don’t you?…I know many people eat them very regularly here and that is what causes the problems with most food I think So enjoy your nutty slaw salad it sounds very nice, Marian 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Susanne Swanson

    I never understood the popularity of the processed ramen noodle soup, other than convenience. I may have tried it once and that was enough for me! Your homemade version looks fabulous! ~ I am guilty of the microwave popcorn but it’s so tasty and easy that I’m going to plead moderation on that one! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      Many won’t listen…I just present the facts and moderation is good I think as long as you are not eating them for every meal and snack you should be ok…Or you could make your own ???? 🙂 x

      Liked by 2 people

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