Are those instant noodles really that bad for you? If you are a healthy person already

[JohnB445]

There are many cheap instant noodles at grocery stores, even cheaper if you buy in bulk and they last a long time as long as they are unopened. For example, Top Ramen, Maruchan, Nissin. They taste good and fill you up.

I don't make a habit of eating them everyday, but once a week I might have one for lunch. My diet is already high in protein, so I am aware the noodles barely has any protein in it, but I am lacking carbs and could use it. My reason for having it is that it helps save me money overtime and also to me they are delicious. But I don't know if I am getting unhealthier because of it, even if I limit it to just eating one per week.

 

[trophy33]

You would need to look at the ingredients list and determine if you want such things in your body, even once a week.

It may be a better option to simply cook your own soup with noodles? With ingredients you know and want in it, only.

 

[ozso]

Simply put instant noodles are processed junk food. Potatoes are a healthier alternative cheap easy food that's high in carbs. But I doubt if you got a full physical including bloodwork after eating a package of instant noodles once a week for a year, it would show you were unhealthier than if you hadn't eaten them at that rate.

 

[jas3]

Yeah, instant noodles are pretty bad for you in general. Some are better than others - the sodium is usually the biggest issue with them, so see if you can find one with lower sodium than the others. Once a week probably isn't going to hurt you significantly, but if saving money is your main goal, probably the cheapest option if you have a fridge and microwave available where you eat would be to cook spaghetti ahead of time and heat up one portion at a time.
If you're cooking at home and want ramen specifically, you can get dry non-instant ramen and control how much of the seasoning packet you want to add when you boil it.

 

[JohnB445]

Thank you for all the replies

 

[Diamond72]

There are many cheap instant noodles at grocery stores, even cheaper if you buy in bulk and they last a long time as long as they are unopened. For example, Top Ramen, Maruchan, Nissin. They taste good and fill you up.

I don't make a habit of eating them everyday, but once a week I might have one for lunch. My diet is already high in protein, so I am aware the noodles barely has any protein in it, but I am lacking carbs and could use it. My reason for having it is that it helps save me money overtime and also to me they are delicious. But I don't know if I am getting unhealthier because of it, even if I limit it to just eating one per week.

The noodles are just the starter, you need to load them up with veggies. They sell a LOT of those noodles. They must be keeping a lot of people alive. They are very popular in prison when they have their own way of mixing things in with them. In 2023, global sales of instant noodles reached an all-time high of 121.2 billion servings. There are 8 billion people in the world.

 

[timewerx]

I eat them twice a week but the rest of my meals are fish, bread, corn, oats, rice, and dairy.

And I exercise 14 hrs a week so I'm still in terrific shape and in excellent state of health despite eating instant noodles.

 

[RileyG]

They are bad for you, yes. They have too much sodium, and you may want to use a different seasoning instead of the seasoning packet they come with.

Nothing wrong with moderation, though.

 

[Diamond72]

you may want to use a different seasoning instead of the seasoning packet they come with.

I use salt free seasoning. People consume way to much salt.

 

[timewerx]

I use salt free seasoning. People consume way to much salt.

This is true. But if you exercise quite a bit, it won't be a problem because you lose a lot of body sodium anyway when you sweat.

In fact, if you exercise frequently enough, having low sodium diet can cause issues.

 

[RileyG]

I use salt free seasoning. People consume way to much salt.

That’s good.