Instant noodles are warm, convenient and can be soothing to eat. They're great for go-to lunch or dinner for those who are strapped for time (or money), like college students. Unfortunately, the habit could come with some serious health consequences. Even if it has a bad reputation, these noodles have long been a popular meal option. What's really in it that makes it so harmful?
Noodles are made to bear a longer shelf life, so they are highly processed, just like canned goods. They are low on nutritive content; high on fat, calories and sodium; and are laced with artificial colors, preservatives, additives and flavorings.
We know that noodles go together with foods that are clearly obvious to most people as 'junk food', such as potato chips and the likes. But because it's hot and soup-y, and soup is generally associated with goodness. This is to remind everyone that instant noodles are unhealthy.
First, instant noodles contain huge amount of sodium, which is of course, bad, since we have too much of it in our daily food product already, from bread, cereal and so on. High sodium consumption is linked to stroke or kidney damage. Secondly, instant noodles contain wax coating which is also used in styrofoam containers to prevent the noodles from sticking together, which takes at least 3 days to be fully digested inside our body.
So what makes instant noodles unhealthy? It's the manufacturing process.
Occasionally eating a package of instant noodles clearly won’t kill you, but when you make a habit in replacement for real food, it’s only a matter of time before health problems will likely develop.
Processed foods are addictive and designed to make you overeat; they also encourage excessive food cravings, leading to weight gain, so ditching processed foods takes effort. Make it a habit to plan your meals in advance and purposefully eat healthily.
Noodles are made to bear a longer shelf life, so they are highly processed, just like canned goods. They are low on nutritive content; high on fat, calories and sodium; and are laced with artificial colors, preservatives, additives and flavorings.
We know that noodles go together with foods that are clearly obvious to most people as 'junk food', such as potato chips and the likes. But because it's hot and soup-y, and soup is generally associated with goodness. This is to remind everyone that instant noodles are unhealthy.
First, instant noodles contain huge amount of sodium, which is of course, bad, since we have too much of it in our daily food product already, from bread, cereal and so on. High sodium consumption is linked to stroke or kidney damage. Secondly, instant noodles contain wax coating which is also used in styrofoam containers to prevent the noodles from sticking together, which takes at least 3 days to be fully digested inside our body.
So what makes instant noodles unhealthy? It's the manufacturing process.
Occasionally eating a package of instant noodles clearly won’t kill you, but when you make a habit in replacement for real food, it’s only a matter of time before health problems will likely develop.
Processed foods are addictive and designed to make you overeat; they also encourage excessive food cravings, leading to weight gain, so ditching processed foods takes effort. Make it a habit to plan your meals in advance and purposefully eat healthily.