Instant noodles are among the most popular ready-to-serve foods. Among other reasons for its popularity, it is quick to serve, easy to prepare, and most importantly tastes good. Instant noodles have various brands, but commonly they are similar in content: low in calories, fibre, and protein as well as high in fat, sodium, carbohydrates, micronutrients, and preservatives.
A portion of instant noodles contains:
- 219 calories which contain 14% fat, 73% carbohydrates, dan 13% protein
- 3,3 gr total fat
- 40,02 gr carbohydrates
- 7,22 gr protein
- 46 mg cholesterol
- 378 mg sodium
- Vitamin A 1%
- Calcium 2%
- Iron 13%
It is not dangerous to consume instant noodles, as long as the portion is limited. Noodles contain a high amount of carbohydrates, and excessive consumption, especially when combined with rice, can increase the risk of diabetes. High calories in instant noodles can prompt excessive insulin production, which can damage the pancreas and increase the risk of diabetes mellitus.
Sodium tripolyphosphate (MSG), preservatives (natrium benzoat), and colouring (tartrazine yellow) in instant noodles also increase health risks, with excessive natrium consumption increasing the risk of hypertension.
Consuming instant noodles is not necessarily bad for your health, but instant noodles do contain unhealthy substances and thus the consumption must be limited or balanced with additional nutritious ingredients such as vegetables and protein. Instant noodles do not contain perfect nutritional substances, and it takes more food items to complete the body’s nutritional needs.
Text by Rezky Zakiri
Stock photos from Google Search Images
Source(s):
- Ratnasari, D. K., Wirawanni, Y. (2012). Gambaran kebiasaan konsumsi mie instan pada anak usia 7-12 tahun. Journal of nutrition college, Vol 1:1. http://ejournal-sl.undip.ac.id/index.php/jnc.
- Noodles (2018). https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/generic/noodles-cooked
- Are Instant Noodles Bad for You (2017). https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/instant-noodles