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Ramen noodles are a type of Japanese noodles enjoyed worldwide. Ramen noodles may appeal to your cravings while pregnant due to their flavorful varieties and quick cooking times. However, many pregnant women might be hesitant to eat these noodles, especially if they consumed them frequently before getting pregnant. Are they safe to eat while pregnant, and could they harm the unborn child?
Read on to learn more about eating ramen noodles while pregnant, including their advantages and drawbacks.
What Are Ramen Noodles?
Popular Japanese-style Ramen noodles are tasty, simple to make, and promoted as a healthy food choice. The noodles contain several nutrients that provide many health benefits. Noodles can also be enhanced in flavor by the addition of various spices, vegetables, and other foods (1).
Is It Safe To Eat Ramen Noodles During Pregnancy?
Yes, you can eat ramen noodles while pregnant! However, not every day for every meal! The noodles contain plenty of salt and preservatives, while lacking in whole-food ingredients like fibre and antioxidants. So, make sure you eat them in a limited amount. Also, have a word with your doctor before you eat ramen noodles (2).Related:
Health Benefits Of Eating Ramen Noodles During Pregnancy
Ramen noodles can not only be convenient to eat while pregnant, but they also have some health advantages. Here are some common health benefits of eating noodles.
A Good Source Of Proteins:
In order to maintain good health, build and repair body tissues, and ensure proper fetal growth and development, you must consume enough proteins during pregnancy. During the first half of your pregnancy, you will require about 46g of protein, and during the second half, 71g. Ramen noodles contain good amounts of proteins. You get approximately five grams of protein from one serving of the noodles. To increase the protein and keep you feeling full while giving birth to a healthy baby, include some egg, fish, or meat.
Prevents Anemia:
To ensure proper oxygen transport in your body cells and fetal growth, you need a lot of iron while pregnant. From 18 mg to 27 mg per day, your iron requirements rise during pregnancy. Since fortified flour is frequently used to make the noodles, ramen noodles have a respectable amount of the mineral iron. Once more, adding eggs, meat, or even leafy greens will increase the amount of iron in your ramen dish. Thus, consuming these noodles can promote healthy hemoglobin levels, lower your risk of anemia, and guarantee a healthy pregnancy. Related:
Energy Supply:
Ramen noodles contain good amounts of carbohydrates. When pregnant, a low-carb diet is not recommended to support your energy levels and the development of your unborn child. Ramen flour is typically fortified with iron and b vitamins despite not typically being made from whole grains. A healthy diet that is high in carbohydrates can help pregnant women get the energy they need.
Side Effects Of Eating Ramen Noodles During Pregnancy
Even though you might have a strong craving for ramen during pregnancy, an excessive amount of them could have negative effects. Below are some typical negative effects of consuming too many ramen noodles.
Risk Of High Cholesterol:
High saturated fat content in ramen noodles can raise bad cholesterol in your blood and increase the risk of heart diseases during pregnancy (7).
Risk Of High Blood Pressure:
Ramen noodles contain a lot of sodium which increases the risk of high blood pressure and heart-related ailments while you are expecting (8).
Therefore, you should limit your consumption of ramen noodles while pregnant and focus on maintaining both your and your unborn child’s health. Related:
To avoid constipation while pregnant, you should concentrate on consuming lots of fiber and fluids. Ramen contains little fiber because it is made from refined grains. To increase the fiber in your ramen dish, include some vegetables.
If eaten in moderation, ramen noodles can be consumed during pregnancy by the majority of healthy expectant mothers. Ramen noodles may have an impact on the health of both you and your unborn child because they are high in carbs, sodium, and additives. In order to increase the nutritional value of these noodles, add plenty of vegetables and other nutritious ingredients, like cottage cheese, chicken, or fish, to your occasional servings. For a healthier, more well-rounded meal, pair these noodles with refreshing drinks like coconut water, homemade fruit punch, or buttermilk.
Ria SahaRia is a techie-turned-writer and writes articles on health, with special emphasis on nutrition. She did her B.Tech from West Bengal University of Technology and was previously associated with IBM as SAP ABAP technical consultant. She moved into freelance content writing in 2013 and worked for various websites including MomJunction, Brainpulse Technologies, and Emarketz India.
