Ramen Noodles -- Good or Bad?

joannadalina

Hi All --

My weakness is Ramen Noodles, beef flavored. I've done some research on if it's good or bad, ways to make it healthier, etc. I don't eat them often, but when I do I only eat half of the noodles and half of the seasoning packet. So that makes it less bad.

I know the sodium amounts are crazy, but I try to drink more water to compensate it. I'd hate to cut em out all together. My question is, does anyone else suffer from a love for Ramen? Or am I alone in this battle. And if you are a Ram-eater, how do you make yourself feel less guilty eating it? Do you add anything, etc.?

Thanks,
Joanna

I_Will_End_You

I love them, too. I don't know what it is about that 15 cent package of soup....but they're good! I just eat the whole thing, by itself, with all of the seasoning packet. My boyfriend makes them and adds all kinds of crap, but I just like them plain.

Steph_in_Mississippi

One of my favorites.

prettigirl01

this is what im having for lunch today. I love the shrimp flavor and usually eat the whole pack and the seasoning. a lot of things aren't good for us. I wouldn't say completely cut it out. just don't have it too often. I eat em 2-3 times a month if that.

lonnieart

I eat ramen mostly for the sake of simplicity when I don't want to make dinner.

I make all the noodles and usually don't add the seasoning packet (or if I do, I try to use less than half). I spice it up with actual spices instead (and salt. Just.. less salt). I also add an egg right as I turn off the heat (stovetop ramen is the only way to go), which is enough to cook it a little like egg drop soup. This makes it more filling for me because I used to eat waaay more than just the one bowl. I also like to throw in some onions while the water is boiling before I add the noodles, especially if I am making it with the beef seasoning. A little extra onion powder, a few more spices, some cheese, and BAM! Onion soup with noodles.

3laine75

i love ramen too - i make my own now (with somen noodles) but its still got tonnes of sodium in it as i use stock cubes and instant miso soup

sure the packets, like anything else, won't hurt you every now and again

MzManiak

There's no bad foods. If Ramen is your treat food, enjoy it. I like them plain... but I know people who add an egg. They think it tastes better like that (plus more protein for them). I'm sure you could add veggies too. Some peas or cut up carrots or something if you wanted.

JenAndSome

I eat them and don't feel guilty at all. I prefer the chicken flavor, but I'll eat any of them, and then I add in hot sauce. I also eat the whole block.

egh1974

Funny I was craving these yesterday! Didn't have them, but definitely will when I'm back among the living!

Acg67

Good

lcfairbairn74

I also add some protein in the form of an egg, or I find I'm hungry again pretty quickly after them.

There's no way I'm not eating delicious Ramen noodles! I have them less frequently now but I wouldn't cut them out of my diet completely. :noway: :laugh:

joannadalina

Thanks everyone

I will eat my Ramen with confidence! They are just too yummy to NOT eat, and @ .20/pack, you really can't beat that

AA1ex

There's something on pintrest I found with 50 ways to use ramen. Look that up it has a bunch of different ideas!

TheBitSlinger

lonnieart

Where do people even find these things? lol. It's amazing.

sunlover89

I like fresh noodles, not a fan of dried packaged stuff.
You can make them healthier by adding stir fry veggies and chicken.

Yanicka1

Love ramen noodle soup. Not very often but an easy lunch.

FITnFIRM4LIFE

Poached egg, or fried egg over-medium.
Wakame seaweed (sprinkle while cooking, no need to re-hydrate separately).
sugar snap peas.
Shrimp
Minced fresh scallion (green onion).
Pinch of chopped cilantro.
Slice of fresh ginger (into the broth).
Lime zest-juice
lime chili ramen....;-)

Love them- Only eat every few months, but good-toss packet.

soupandcookies

I do love Ramen, but they aren't the healthiest option, obviously. There are lots of healthier substitutes, made with either baked noodles, or rice noodles. I think Ramen noodles are fried. The other options are way more expensive, though. I do agree that there are no "bad" foods, but I prefer to choose healthy substitutes when I can. And no, I'm not depriving myself. Enjoy your Ramen if it fits your macros!

lcvaughn520

I also ramen noodles! I do try not to buy them very often because when I have them in the house, I want to eat them for like every meal, including breakfast. I typically put an egg in and maybe some veggies too, like spinach, broccoli or cauliflower. At least that way you get SOME nutrients....

RenshiG

There's no bad foods. If Ramen is your treat food, enjoy it. I like them plain... but I know people who add an egg. They think it tastes better like that (plus more protein for them). I'm sure you could add veggies too. Some peas or cut up carrots or something if you wanted.

What she says!

I usually make sure I add at least a couple egg whites (easy to pour in the liquid egg whites pre-packaged) or egg whites and a whole egg (loooove egg drop soup) to it to balance the carb shock (esp since I am borederline hypogycemic) and I also use only about 3/4 of the spice pack unless I add a lot of extra water (I love broth). Sometimes I add a few veggies like peas etc to it, but often I am too lazy to even bother with the frozen veggie mixes.

Asides from that, yes, see it as your treat, log it, and enjoy! :-)

taso42

Good, but only if you go to a ramen house

Rogsman

Maybe of interest:
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/teen-eats-ramen-noodles-13-years-article-1.1312782

Love this part:
"Readman's doctors said she is malnourished and has the health of an 80-year old. She weighs about 98 pounds at 5'3".

Yummy noodles.

gabbygirl78

Love ramen noodles and I have wondered the same thing! I was eating them everyday before I joined MFP. The Beef is also my favorite but my daughter has made a bad creation that tastes sooooo good ! She makes the shrimp, drains all but a little of the water off then adds the season packet and a tbs of mayo to make it creamy... OMG my guilty pleasure for sure!!!

sweebum

I enjoy mine as long as they fit in my goals for the day. I don't use the seasoning though- too much salt. I toss with olive oil, basil and Parmesan.

DRJ311

I LOVE CHICKEN FLAVORED RAMEN!! Don't stop eating it. Sodium is a little high but moderation is key..

gabbygirl78

LMAO!! I love this!:laugh:

mcjmommy

I haven't had ramen noodles since I started losing weight, but my 6 year old is a HUGE ramen noodle lover! He especially likes them (chicken flavor) with the broth drained, covered with crushed croutons and parmesan cheese.
I only make them for him as a special treat, like a day off school etc.

Heatherbell14

This is out of control funny!! LoL

DesdemonaRose

I love the Ramen video gift! It's probably a Japanese commercial. They make some crazy commercials. You can find plenty of them on Youtube.

Like any good but less healthy food just eat in moderation. I haven't ate Ramen in a long time, but I use to add vegtables to mine. Adding vegtables and/or meat to them will make them healthier. I don't know if Ramen packets have any vitamins in them, so at least adding some will make it less of a "empty calorie" food.

I also agree with the poster who said to go to a Ramen house! In the topic of noddle soups, Pho is really good too. That is my current favorite noodle soup. It's Vietnamese not Japanese, but really good! Especially with rice noodles. I buy it freshly made, not dry packaged stuff.

bcattoes

Why would ramen noodles be bad? Certainly you need to eat other things too, but unless you have been instructed not to eat pasta by your doctor, I can't see any reason they couldn't be part of a healthy diet. It's just pasta.