Every little thing matters when you are pregnant! You will be under scrutiny when it comes to your eating part. Because every little morsel of yours has an impact on your fetus. Nevertheless, it is during this time you will crave to eat everything. Especially foods that are not otherwise healthy- well pregnancy cravings are not known just for nothing! Are you wondering if instant noodles during pregnancy are safe to be consumed?
Many foods which you might like to munch on may not be safe for the newborn! If you have always loved noodles because of their taste and the ease of preparation, you might be wanting to know if you can eat them as and when you want during pregnancy as well.
The question is whether consuming instant noodles is safe during pregnancy? Let us see in detail if you can have them during those craving times!
Is It Safe To Eat Instant Noodles During Pregnancy?
A bowl of instant Maggi is always appetizing and welcoming to eat. As a pregnant woman, the lifestyle of the mother will have an impact on the child to be born. This is why there are many restrictions around, right from the time you are pregnant.
Pregnant women must ensure a healthy diet that is balanced in nutrients. You can treat your craving for Maggi during pregnancy occasionally but don’t make it a regular habit. Keep in mind that you have to quit all unhealthy things during pregnancy. And unfortunately, instant noodles is not a healthy choice.
Nutritional Value Of Instant Noodles
Instant noodles are inexpensive and are easy to make. The nutritional value of instant noodles could vary with different brands and flavors.
Here’s a quick look at the nutritional value of everyone’s favorite craving food: “instant ramen noodles during pregnancy”1.
- Calories – 385 kcal
- Carbohydrate – 55.7g
- Total fat – 14.5 g
- Saturated fat – 6.5 g
- Protein – 7.9 g
- Fiber – 2 g
- Sodium – 986 mg
- Thiamine – 0.6 mg
- Niacin – 4.6 mg
- Riboflavin – 0.4 mg
These instant noodles come with low calories as well as protein and fiber. However, the fat, carbs, and sodium content are too high. Nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C are barely present in instant noodles making them not a great option when you are pregnant.
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What Makes Instant Noodles A Not SO Good Choice During Pregnancy?
Instant noodles could be mouth drooling for their convenience, affordability, and taste. But not many are aware of its risks.
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Consuming instant noodles during pregnancy daily is not a good idea. Doctors suggest that eating them regularly, especially if you are expecting, causes a lot of problems like weight gain, gestational diabetes, and other complications. All we want is to safely deliver the little one right?
Eating instant noodles often during pregnancy can pose health risks for both you and the baby. Here’s why we recommend you get rid of those instant ramen noodles during pregnancy off your pregnancy diet chart.
1. They are high in sodium
It is found that instant noodles come with a lot of sodium content. Though sodium is good for the functioning of the body, an excess amount of sodium could be dangerous.
A high sodium diet could pose a lot of threats such as heart diseases, stroke, etc. It can also affect the heart by increasing blood pressure and creating more kidney problems.
2. Instant noodles contain MSG
Instant noodles come with MSG (also sometimes known as ajinomoto), a common food additive found in processed food. It acts as a taste enhancer and probably the reason for your craving for instant noodles during pregnancy.
This MSG is seen to have both small and long-term effects on your body. Many have verified that too much consumption of MSG leads to obesity and heart issues.
However, the small number of MSG in instant noodles might not affect you provided you eat it in moderation.
3. Blood sugar levels can get affected
Processed foods generally tend to affect the blood glucose levels in the body. Eating too much processed food, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy is likely to increase the chances of gestational diabetes.
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While you may not show major symptoms, you can experience frequent urination, thirst, fatigue, nausea, etc. This may look like pregnancy symptoms, however, you need to have your sugar levels checked to know it accurately.
4. Inadequate fetal nutrition
Processed foods come with very few nutrients. The baby gets its nutrients from the mom’s intake. When you eat instant noodles during pregnancy, you are basically having only sodium and carbohydrates. Since the baby is dependent on you for nutrition, instant noodles during pregnancy is not a great choice.
As pregnant moms, your diet should contain a balanced nutrient supply for the baby as well. Having a balanced diet will lead to better fetal nutrition, optimum fetal weight gain and a healthier baby.
5. Maida effect
Instant noodles are made from maida which is the waste residue of wheat. As this is a processed food, it might taste good. However, it is devoid of any nutrition to meet your daily nutritional value.
Having maida during pregnancy can also make you overweight during pregnancy, which can again make way for more complications. Moreover, the preservatives used in instant noodles harmful.
Similarly, maida products have a great impact on your digestive system. Pregnancy is a time when constipation is already a problem, and maida can further worsen it.
How To Have Instant Noodles During Pregnancy Without Any Ill-effect?
Craving instant noodles during pregnancy is common. But even after being aware of its side effects, how can you have them if you have a strong craving?
Well, if you still love consuming instant noodles during pregnancy in small quantities, try adding lots of fresh vegetables to them which would increase their nutritional value.
Nevertheless, pregnant moms must keep in mind that whatever diet and lifestyle they follow has a direct or indirect effect on the fetus.
Instant noodles are largely unhealthy but there are a few options by which you can make them healthy. However, remember to have this treat only once in a while.
1. Add more vitamins to it
You can meet your daily vitamin intake level by adding colorful vegetables to your instant noodles. Veggies go well with instant noodles. So if you are thinking about having Hakka noodles during pregnancy, aim for a colorful bowl by adding all colored vegetables in it.
Spinach for green, tomatoes or red capsicum for red, eggplants for purple, carrot for orange, etc.
2. Top up the toppings
Most of the instant noodles packets come with those seasonal toppings which add that yummy addictive flavor to them.
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This is high in sodium content which again is not a healthy option. You may add honey dipped carrot or a boiled egg at the simplest to keep it healthy.
3. Follow the food pyramid
The Food Pyramid gives you an idea of how to make your eating healthy. It is a representation of different food groups with their quantity intake which will keep us healthy.
Following the food pyramid and its guidelines will always keep you healthy. Try adding all items from every nutrient source such as proteins, dairy, etc.
You can add eggs for protein, sesame seeds, or cheese for calcium. Tofu is also a healthy ingredient that contains nutrients like protein, copper, zinc, etc.
4. Add steamed vegetables
Vegetables are always healthy and adding them in instant noodles is going to make them tasty. However, adding vegetables by steaming it will contain more nutritional value when compared to the ones that are fried.
Vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, carrots, peas are going to make these instant noodles tasty and a healthy meal.
5. Choose fiber-rich foods
Instant noodles are low in fiber. Fibers are generally loaded with good health benefits. It is always recommended to go for wheat-based noodles or turn your craving for instant noodles during pregnancy healthy by adding foods rich in fiber content.
6. Go for fresh noodles
Most instant noodles are deep-fried to remain fresh for longer shelf life. Try to go for fresh noodles which can reduce the risk of consuming instant noodles during pregnancy.
Healthy substitute of instant noodles that you can try during pregnancy
Eating healthy food during pregnancy is important. If you can’t avoid those cravings for instant noodles, here we suggest a few items which are good to munch on during those craving times.
- Oatmeal
- Sprouts
- Smoothies
- Cheese/Yogurt
- Salads
- Vegetable and beans soups
- Baked potato
- Fresh fruits
Always keep in mind that instant noodles are junk food and have nothing beneficial to do with fetus growth.
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Nutritionists say on instant noodles
Doctors and nutritionists are against the intake of instant noodles, especially during pregnancy times. They suggest avoiding processed food, keeping in mind the importance of health for you and the baby to be born.
However, meeting those cravings once in a while in a healthy way is accepted.
What can you do while craving instant noodles during pregnancy?
- Eating processed food needs to be completely avoided during pregnancy. If you cannot do it, try consuming it healthy
- Instant noodles are unhealthy food that isn’t going to do any good for you except for the taste. Think twice before going for it
- Keep in mind your little one’s health before meeting your cravings
- Try skipping the masala sachet flavor and add your seasoning
- Go for atta-based noodles instead of maida ones. Atta-based noodles are less harmful
Conclusion
We all love noodles. It is tasty as well as easy to make good food, especially on a tiring day. A steaming bowl of noodles is going to change anyone’s mood.
However, no doubt consuming instant noodles during pregnancy is not recommended by anyone. It is okay to eat instant noodles occasionally.
Also, remember that eating healthy doesn’t mean that you can overeat them. It will only tend to add more complications to your pregnancy. It takes more than 24 hours for the noodles to pass through your body as they are coated with edible wax that is far harder to digest.
Remember, all you need during pregnancy is food that comes with high nutrients, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.