Is eating instant noodles for breakfast harmful? - VnExpress International (2024)

November 7, 2023 | 03:00 pm PT

I love instant noodles, but many say they are not good for health because they contains huge amounts of fats, carbohydrates, and salt. Is this true? (Nhu, 26, Hanoi)

Answer:

Instant noodles provide calories, and totally avoiding eating it for breakfast is not any expert's advice, though it is true that they may be harmful for health if eaten too much.

For example, you should not eat them daily. The ideal frequency is between two to three times a week only.

They should not be consumed solely, since the dish itself lacks certain key nutrition groups such as protein and fiber, leaving a risk of having malnutrition if consumed in the long term.

Is eating instant noodles for breakfast harmful? - VnExpress International (1)

Eating instant noodles solely in the long term may lead to malnutrition. Photo illustration by Freepik

However, you can easily solve these problems by having instant noodles with other dishes, for example, meat, eggs, seafood, and vegetables to provide your body with more protein and fiber, making a breakfast with sufficient nutritional value.

Keep in mind that you should not add fat since there is already a significant amount in instant noodles.

Just like any other types of foods, instant noodles cannot cause damage to your health if consumed in suitable amounts and correctly.

Dr. Tu Ngu

General Secretary of the Vietnam Nutrition Association

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Is eating instant noodles for breakfast harmful? - VnExpress International (2024)

FAQs

Is it bad to eat instant noodles in the morning? ›

Instant noodles provide calories, and totally avoiding eating it for breakfast is not any expert's advice, though it is true that they may be harmful for health if eaten too much. For example, you should not eat them daily. The ideal frequency is between two to three times a week only.

How unhealthy are instant noodles? ›

Instant ramen noodles are very high in sodium, with one package containing 1,760 mg of sodium, or 88% of the 2-gram recommendation suggested by the WHO. Consuming just one package of ramen noodles per day would make it very difficult to keep sodium intake close to the current dietary recommendations.

Is there a limit to eating instant noodles? ›

Tri emphasized that it is better to consume no more than two packs of noodles a week and not make it a routine habit. If you want to consume instant noodles, you should add additional vegetables and protein such as eggs, chicken, meat and other protein sources.

Are buldak noodles bad for you? ›

This high salt content in the product, called Buldak ramen, raises the risk of crystals forming in the kidneys, which can then develop into stones that damage the organs and trigger infections. If untreated, kidney infections can spread to the bloodstream, known as septicemia.

Is ramen ok to eat for breakfast? ›

Can you eat ramen for breakfast? Just like you can eat pancakes for dinner, you can also eat ramen noodles for breakfast. There are no rules as to what time of the day foods can be eaten!

Is it okay to eat 1 instant noodles everyday? ›

While instant ramen is not bad for you, it isn't recommended as a single food daily or multiple times per day on its own due to its high-sodium flavoring packet or broth. Adding additional toppings, such as protein and vegetables, to the wheat noodle and broth base can increase its nutrition profile.

What happens if you eat too much instant noodles? ›

Instant noodles are often high in sodium, which can lead to a variety of health issues. Sodium is an essential nutrient, but consuming too much of it can cause problems such as high blood pressure, water retention, and kidney damage.

What is the bad chemical in instant noodles? ›

In a study published on Thursday, the Consumer Council revealed it had detected potential cancer-causing chemicals 3-MCPD and glycidol in 17 out of 19 samples of pre-packaged fried and non-fried instant noodles tested along with their seasoning packets and toppings.

Do healthy instant noodles exist? ›

So, what makes some ramen healthier than others? "A healthy ramen can be made from whole grain or whole wheat flour," Catherine Gervacio, RDN and nutrition writer for Living. Fit, tells Eat This, Not That! "These provide more fiber and nutrients compared to refined flour noodles.

Should I stop eating instant noodles? ›

The Bottom Line. In moderation, including instant noodles in your diet likely won't come with any negative health effects. However, they are low in nutrients, so don't use them as a staple in your diet. What's more, frequent consumption is linked to poor diet quality and an increased risk of metabolic syndrome.

What to do after eating instant noodles? ›

Water is a good choice to drink after eating noodles. It helps to hydrate and aid in digestion. However, you can also choose other beverages like tea, soup, or any non-alcoholic drink that complements the flavor of the noodles. It ultimately depends on your personal preference.

How long do instant noodles take to digest? ›

It is a wheat based product. That means it is digested in the small intestine. So it takes about 6 to 8 hours to transit the small intestine into the large. It takes about 36 hours to move through the whole system and out.

Why is Buldak banned? ›

Recently, their fiery nature has even caused a bit of a stir in Denmark, where Buldak Ramen noodles have been banned for being dangerously spicy.

What do ramen noodles do to your stomach? ›

It is a petroleum-based product that is hard to digest and is also found in pesticides and lacquers. It makes the noodles hard to digest, therefore allowing the body to be exposed to this chemical for a longer period of time than normal. It will also impede your body from taking in other nutrients.

Is ramen bad for your liver? ›

Processed foods like ramen can keep adding on to the fat in the liver over time and lead to inflammation and damage in the organ. An unhealthy liver might experience irregular function, swelling and water retention as well.

Is it okay to eat instant noodles before bed? ›

I may advise you to avoid consuming certain foods before sleep, such as fast food, instant noodles, and confectionaries. Research suggests that individuals who have shorter sleep durations or poor sleep quality tend to consume more of these unhealthy food options.

Why do Koreans eat so much ramen? ›

But recently, a study in Korea proved how unhealthy eating a lot of instant noodles is. 💢That was the first key to its success, it was the ideal dish to feed simple working people, who had little time to stop and eat. They are also very complete recipes, nutritionally speaking, and there are options for all tastes.

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