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Forum: Why Instant Ramen Noodles Suck As a Prep Food

12 September 2006

Bird Guano – at 16:58

How to Use Your Noodle Instant ramen does not pack a lot of nutrition By Catherine Shepherd

http://www.pathfinder.com/asiaweek/97/0411/feat2.html

ASIA IS MAD ABOUT instant noodles, with good reason. They are cheap, easy to prepare and, well, instantly gratifying. Children love them. And the industry has grown important enough that it was able to support an “International Ramen Summit” in Tokyo last month.

But are they good for you? Nutritionists would never suggest that eating the ubiquitous noodles every day is healthy, but the occasional bowlful will certainly do no harm. Take a look at the ingredients list. The first item is always white flour. In dietary terms, this is a complex carbohydrate — a molecule that contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. It is required for the processing of nutrients within the body and it is also our main source of energy. Without carbohydrates, the body begins to search for other sources of nourishment, usually from stored fat and body protein. Soon afterward, muscle wastage, fatigue and depression set in. Carbohydrates also act as natural tranquilizers, which is why they make good snacks for late evening.

But high-carbohydrate foods like instant noodles that are also high in starch are currently undergoing significant scrutiny in the medical community. In February, the Journal of the American Medical Association published an article on the link between a high-starch diet and diabetes. White bread, mashed potatoes and instant noodles all have high “glycemic indexes,” which is a measure of how much the food drives up blood sugar. The study’s authors, however, advise that people should not rush to cut starches from their diet; rather, starchy foods should be augmented by whole-grain products (like brown rice) and leafy greens.

The second largest nutrient group in instant noodles is fat. Surprised? Most of us eat pasta with the understanding that it is a high-carbohydrate, low-fat food. Not so with the instant variety. Says Prof. Harold Corke, a wheat expert at the University of Hong Kong: “Most instant noodles are dried by deep frying, and only 3%−4% are air dried. Air-drying is not indicated on the package and they are not marketed on that basis. Instant noodles are about 18% fat”.

That’s not too bad: remember that fat is a dietary requirement. Nutritionists recommend that about 20% to 30% of daily calories come from fat. But not all fats are equal. Most manufacturers use palm oil, a pleasant-tasting fat readily available in the region. It is also highly saturated, so if you are at risk of coronary artery disease, avoiding instant noodles is advisable. But health concerns aside, most noodle lovers would choose a fried variety simply because oil makes foods taste better.

There is, however, more to noodles than simply flour and fat. Potassium carbonate is a salt. It turns noodles a slightly yellowish color (typical of the Cantonese mein) and “gives them a firm bite,” says Prof. Corke. Without this additive, the noodles would be softer, easily turning mushy — much like their pale relative Chinese ho fan and sometimes Japanese udon. There is no nutritional value in potassium carbonate, but it is not unhealthy. The same goes for the mysterious xanthan gum that often appears toward the end of the ingredient list. It is a bacteria-derived food stabilizer that has long been approved for human consumption.

The condiment pouches contain most of the product’s salt content. Again, if you are required to maintain a low-salt diet for blood-pressure reasons, instant noodles are not appropriate. The flavor pouch also contains coloring to make the broth look more appetizing and usually a hefty portion of the flavor-enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG). Although some people report a sensitivity to MSG — complaining of fever, fatigue and headache — it too is a fully approved food additive. There are instant noodles available without MSG, but they tend to be about 25% more expensive and taste bland.

Dr. Edmond Li, a Hong Kong nutritionist, has this advice: “Do not rely on instant noodles for a source of vegetables. They are added only to make the dish more satisfying and are not intended to provide the consumer with nutrition.” But he understands the noodles’ appeal. Even his children are permitted an occasional package — especially if they are being fussy. “I don’t think it’s a problem to stimulate their appetite with them.”

Parents can alter the nutritional value to some extent. First, buy packets that do not come pre-mixed in their own bowl. This way, you can control how much of the flavoring pouch goes into the broth. Also, adding egg or vegetables to the soup is an excellent way to increase the protein and vitamin content, without altering the taste and texture that appeals to children.

In the end, remember that the best way to maintain a nutritious diet is to eat a variety of foods. Instant noodles will not hurt anyone (without dietary restrictions) but you wouldn’t want to be stuck on a desert island with them alone.

Bird Guano – at 16:58

And yes, I do have an instant noodle jihad when it comes to prep foods.

:-)

Edna Mode – at 17:01

Bird Guano, LOL!

raina – at 17:03

As regards the palm oil, I think recent research is finding that saturated plant fats are not all that bad for you, as compared to saturated animal fats. Not that that would make instant noodles a health food, by any means. They are certainly lacking in nutrients.

I do have a few boxes of instant noodles in my preps, although mostly for the handy flavor packets which are way too much for the noodles themselves.

Bird Guano – at 17:10

They are cheap for a reason.

LOL

LauraBat 17:11

Sure I know they’re not the greatest, but I hope that SIP will be, at worst, months and not years. While I’ve tried to stock-pile lots of nutritious foods, a balanced diet may have to take a back seat some of the time to just “getting by.” Plus, they are something easy to handy out to those who come beggin’ for something.

Bird Guano – at 17:14

No argument there for filling your belly and “getting by”.

HOWEVER.

There are MANY BETTER nutrition alternatives to instant ramen noodles for the money.

blackbird – at 17:17

Bird, I share your reservations about ramen. I do have some organic KOYO brand ramen. The ingredients are:

organic noodles: organic wheat flour, sea salt

soup packet: shoyu powder (soybeans, wheat, sea salt)

miso powder: soybeans, rice, sea salt

kombu powder, shiitake mushroom powder, tofu (soybeans, nigari), onion powder, sea salt, green onion, garlic powder, ginger powder, black pepper.

Price is much more than regular ramen, around $0.80 per packet vs. what, $0.10? But there’s no MSG or other additives. Calories = 200, calories from fat = 12 (1g saturated fat) and sodium is higher than I’d like at 748 mg. :(

I like it with a little sour cream or organic non-egg mayo — my downfall — stirred in, plus some tofu or leftovers added to give it more body.

Not a main staple around here, but easy to make, doesn’t consume a lot of fuel, and one more thing to round out things on the variety front.

I also found some pretty good instant miso soup on the internet. Don’t know if anyone else is interested in such things.

Desert Dan – at 17:20

Cheap and easy

You can add things to them to make them more interesting.

They also might be good in care packages for hungry people that didn’t prep.

I plan on having a few zip lock bags with instant oatmeal, mac n chees and top ramen for the un-prepped people just in case.

silversage – at 17:21

blackbird – at 17:17 I’ve been making miso soup for my kids because I got a flu book from the library and it said miso is good for regular flu. So I was wondering if there is such a thing as dried/powdered miso for long term storage? If not, instant miso soup would be a good idea. We have items like that in the grocery store but I haven’t found them to be very good. Where did you find your miso soup?

DennisCat 17:26

I don’t consider ramen noodles “balanced meal” but they can be part of one just as flour, salt, sugar, pasta or even rice. The thing is what you can cook with them. As with any prep, you should not base all your preps on one food kind, one food source, one water source, one power source and so on.

Bird Guano – at 17:32

Soy Sauce Powder. http://www.spicesetc.com/product/56/3 I stock the low sodium version

Miso powder is different from miso soup powder. The soup powder usually has a dashi base. Dry miso powder: http://www.coldmountainmiso.com/coldmount.html

Organics: http://www.nikkenfoods.com/fermented.htm

blackbird – at 17:38

silversage

I did a lot of googling for ‘instant miso’, ‘powdred miso’, etc. Most of the results were from Japanese importers, some of them didn’t have a lot of information available on the sites in english. I got the red miso from this link, it tastes pretty decent:

http://www.naturalimport.com/instant_miso1?b=1

Also found a 12.1 oz bag of miso that doesn’t require refrigeration (at least not until it’s opened) in the natural foods section of my local grocery store. It’s certified organic Hacho Miso, the company is Eden (www.edenfoods.com). They may have more info on their web site. I only got the one to try, but haven’t tried it yet. So many preps, so little time …

Miso is a staple in our house for pre-emptive strikes against developing a cold so even though we have some extra in the refrigerator, I wanted to store some for the longer term and in case of outages.

blackbird – at 17:41

Bird Guano – at 17:32.

Thanks for posting the links. I went to the cold mountain site and didn’t see a clickable link to order the miso powder. That’s actually what I want vs. the soup. Have you ordered from them? How’d you do it?

Medical Maven – at 18:02

If you tend to eat healthy on a regular basis like I do, it is quite a carbohydrate rush when I dive into one of those cheap Nissan brand noodle cups. I am going to use them like a drug when I really get down. Like any “drug”, if you use it sparingly, you get a better kick out of it. : )

EnoughAlreadyat 18:10

I have a masters degree in nutrition and dietitics. We probably don’t use a dozen packages of ramen noodles a year. We only use those because I get them for our hurricane preps, and we use them after hurricane season if not needed during hurricane season.

However, I have 3 cases of shrink wrapped ramen noodles in my pandemic prep’s. They are not a nutritional giant. But they are cheap and plentiful. And I have a lot of people to worry about for an unknown amount of time. The equation is going to change if this pandemic hits even on the low end of prediction. If you watched that BF movie on TV you have a similitude of what can be expected… in wave one. There are 10 grams of protein and 52 grams of carbs in a package of ramen noodles. I can beef up the nutrient value by tossing in some powdered milk, dehydrated crumbled spinach, etc. Bottom line: it’s cheap, it’s food, and there is a lot of it.

There are people who this is going to be as good as it gets when it comes to prepping. Obviously, I am one of them. And yes, I have other stuff to eat besides ramen noodles. But there are people that getting this would be equivilent to my buying a generator.

So, how do we find bulk foods for dirt cheap (like ramen noodles) and create a more nutritious food supply? That’s how we can help people prepare who otherwise are SOOL!

DennisCat 18:18

if you look on the net, you can find all kinds of Ramen noodle recipies. Some are reasonable. For example using them in fajitas, salads, soups, stew and so on.

For example I use them with “natural materials” I find like mushrooms, dandelion roots, cat tail roots, with a little lemon and galic powder. The point is: the sum is greater than any individual part. (excuss the “pun” from Euclid)

EnoughAlreadyat 18:41

www.budget101.com

EnoughAlreadyat 18:47

ooops… type in ramen noodles in the site search

DennisC

What do you do with cat tail roots? And do you know anything about their nutritional and “other” value? I have access to acears of cat tails! Thanks.

DennisCat 19:18

I am one of these old school boy scouts (where they sent you off for 3 or 4 days with a cup and a knife….

anyway, look up edible plants. like here-

http://tinyurl.com/hnsu5 or cat tails and edible like here http://tinyurl.com/zqlv7 you can make flour out of the pollen and the it is a starchy root.

here is a recipe for cat tail waffles: http://tinyurl.com/e72gx

“Few people seem to be aware of it, but the common cattail is actually a highly nutritious and astonishingly versatile source of food. Its stems can be prepared as a vegetable . . . the pollen can be used in bread recipes . . . the plant’s distinctive flower spikes can-be cooked like corn . . . the bulbous shoots at the base of the stem are delicious when boiled . . . even the cattail’s roots can be processed into a rich (and highly palatable) flour. (Euell Gibbons was probably right when he wrote: “For the number of different kinds of food it produces there is no plant, wild or domesticated, which tops the common cattail.”) from:

http://tinyurl.com/zwryp

For me the “edible wild plants” is part of my “backup preps”. I have been planting some here and there and not killing dandelions. If some one shows up at the door with a gun asking for food, I will just start talking about wild plants instead of showing them my rice supplies.

I am not sure of their nutritional values. (that is why I prep vitamins)

preppiechick – at 19:42

Another reason to prep ramen noodles, regardless of them not being the most nutrious, is for the kids. Mine are very picky and will get food fatigue, very quickly. If I can encourage them, with something that they like and will go down easily (esp. if they are sick with the flu) then I don’t care how nutrious they are. I have stocked almost a years worth of vitamins (one of the only things that I have a years supply of!) to supplement any poor diet choices (which we already have on a daily basis!). Also, because ramen noodles are pre-cooked, they will require very little fuel/effort to cook - even my kids can cook these! I do plan on adding things to them and using them in congunction with other prep items. I appreciate Bird Guano bringing to light the nutrient deficiency of this product, but as is the case with most things, there are always two sides to the story ;)

Poppy – at 20:01

They suck as a prep food for the same reason they suck as a snack food…They just taste yucky. I don’t know how my kids can stand them, they are junk.

Urdar-Norge – at 20:49

they consume space.. alot of it, pasta, rice and makaronies are better as spaceinvaders. But a diversity is important. To the noodles, add egg, meat, fish and vegetables then you do get a good meal. ..also check out italian polenta flour. Cant get cheaper and more space saving than that, Like a corn based instant potatomash.. Cooking from scratsch is always the best, cheapest and only way to cook :)

blackbird – at 21:05

eading the cattails info …

Euell Gibbons lives!

Bird Guano – at 22:11

Thank you all for your input.

The title was on purpose, to trigger some discussion. I know it’s a “religious” issue with a lot of people.

My pet peeve is people who buy them and think they are a stand-alone prep food to be used for weeks on end.

I haven’t seen that in THIS thread, but I have seen it on the Wiki.

They are not.

Used as an extender they are fine.

HOWEVER

I still maintain that there are other noodles/pasta out there with a MUCH higher nutritional value for a similar price.

Examples are:

Don’t sacrifice convenience for nutrition for the same $$$ is my entire point of this thread.

YMMV

13 September 2006

NauticalManat 18:01

Instead of not very good for you ramen noodles, I very much enjoy Thai Kitchen products, have only tried their Instant Rice Noodle soups. Package states they are not fried, are gluten and egg free. A little high in sodium, but you could easily leave out half the seasoning package and they are still tasty. Do not know what the shelf life is, not on my packages, but have emailed the company to ask. Their website lists stores where they are available in each state. Here in Mass. they are found in Whole Foods, Wild Oats and others. They are a little more expensive than ramen noodles, but would think they would be much better for you.

23 September 2006

CAMikeat 17:02

Bump so this does not fall off the forum.

I think Ramen Noodles are an important issue for discussion. Before TSHTF we will all be looking for low-cost food for either ourselves or for others. I agree with NM at 18:01. From a nutrition point of view Ramen Noodles are not the best but they are cheap. My plan is to use them sparingly, without the taste packets, using my own additions as needed.

Disclaimer: I have not tried this other then to eat the noodles only with a butter substitute which works fine if there is power for the fridge. Still working on substitutes. For now I am keeping the “flavor” packets just in case.

Mike

seacoast – at 17:34

I like the Thai Kitchen Spring Onion instant soup too, but it is a lot more expensive that Ramen Noodles. Each one is $1.99 which is pricey for a bowl of noodles, but good.

Northstar – at 18:17

This thread’s made me so hungry I had to go out and buy a couple cases of Ramen! At a dime a pack at Aldi’s, they’re hard to beat. Here are some of the other things that spoke in favor of the poor, beleaguered Ramen:

1. They are calorie dense, making them a food that can span the gap of lean times. As far as nutrition, I don’t think they are any more or less nutritious than most pastas, anyway.

2. They are light and easily portable, making them a perfect food for a travel bag.

3.They are quick and easy to cook, even for children who may not be able to fend for themselves very well.

4. They taste good. Oh, come on, admit it.

5. They can be easily enhanced by a small amount of meat and/or vegetable.

6. Did I mention they are a dime apiece? Good God, if there is a starving time you can save your neighbor’s kids for a couple bucks. It’s hard to knock that.

Dennis in Colorado – at 18:46

The Maruchan “instant lunch” has the added benefit of no dishes needed. A bit more expensive (24¢ per cup at Sam’s Club), but still 330 Kcal in a package good for at least a year.

Urdar-Norge – at 19:12

put 1 kg of pasta or rice on the weight, then 1 kg of noodles.. withc pile is the biggest..? I just finnished moving to my new house today, my food preps is only 6 paper boxes (23×30–20 cm big), I will of course panic shop storable vegtables if TSHTF and some fresh meat. But its impressive. 3 months of food.. and it constains only 5 packets of noodles ;-D

Poppy – at 20:23

Okay I will conceed there is one use I have found for them. I do use the beef flavored ones then making my stuffing for stuffed bell peppers. I add it to rice along with other seasonings and use it as a mix for my stuffing. Other than that they are just good for my kids to make a mess of the kitchen with.

NauticalManat 21:23

Thai kitchen states their noodle soups are good for 2 years past the date on them.

Kathy in FL – at 22:49

OK folks, instead of eating the Ramen Noodles as is try using them the same way you would use dried pasta and white rice. I wouldn’t recommend eating pasta or white rice all the time either … but no one says eating it on occasion is going to do you in.

I’ve put several recipes for using ramen noodles in the recipe threads. They really aren’t that bad and they will piece out your other dried ingredients. They work really well in skillet casseroles and they plain noodles can help bulk up an otherwise thinnish soup.

I’m more concerned with the sodium in the flavor packets than I am with the noodles themselves.

lady biker – at 23:11

when I cook the ramen noodles I don’t use all the flavor packet, just enough to give a little flavor. and my neighbor don’t know it but if they come to me for food they will be getting a lot of ramen noodles and canned vegetables and viennia sausages . lolol…..so far and if they are nice I will throw in some tootsie pops. LOLOL…..they won’t starve but they might have to shoot a deer or rabbit to go with the noodles. yup

lady biker – at 23:12

oh yea and some ketchup…….everything is better with ketchup……..:)

CAMikeat 23:26

lady biker – at 23:11. I have a similiar plan. Food care packages will contain ramen noodles, some kind of protein (canned), some kind of veggie (canned), some multivitamins, possibly bottled water and other essentials, if they can be spared, and instructions on making a hobo stove.

The noodles are so cheap and easily cooked that I think they are a great addition for part-time preppers or to be included in care packages.

Mike

CAMikeat 23:28

lady biker – at 23:12 - oh yea and some ketchup…….everything is better with ketchup……..:)

I agree except for coffee and ice cream. Those are best left unadulterated. I love ketchup.

Mike

24 September 2006

RANSOM – at 00:33
 I use a them as a “part” of my preps because they are cheep and convenient. Convenient in that they already have the little spice packet.

 I also like the idea of handing them out to the neighbors who have done no prep work at all.

 The spice packets could also be used alone to make broth or added to a soup. 

05 November 2006

Closed - Bronco Bill – at 22:19

Closed to maintain Forum speed.

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