We love our instant noodles. They are quick, they are filling and they are universal. And sure, they might not be the healthiest food choice out there but they make you feel at home. However, what happens when we get pregnant? Is it safe for women to eat instant noodles during pregnancy?
Doctors suggest that eating processed foods is a strict no for expecting mothers. It increases the risk of excess weight gain, gestational diabetes, and other complications.
You’ve also heard about hidden ingredients in processed foods that you may not be aware of and the effects they will have on your body. Certain foods that are genetically modified may also pose a long-term threat to the mother and the baby, even though the effects are still unknown. This includes food like instant noodles during pregnancy.
The fetus is affected by whatever the mother consumes. Why would you want to put yourself and your baby at risk? So, here’s why instant noodles during pregnancy can be off your diet chart.
2 Reasons Why Eating Instant Noodles During Pregnancy Is Not Advisable
We know how much of a go-to snack instant noodles are. But there are two main reasons why eating instant noodles during pregnancy may not be the safest option for you. Before you indulge yourself in a bowl of these guilty pleasure noodles, find out why they’re not exactly the best food to eat when you’re expecting.
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1. High Salt Content
Eating one serving of instant noodles during pregnancy gives you 861 mg of sodium. That’s about 1,722 mg from one full package.
Now, consider the fact that experts say people should limit their sodium intake to between 1500 mg and 2300 mg a day. So, just one packet of instant noodles fulfils this recommended amount. Doctors advise you to watch your salt intake for good reasons, mostly because it can contribute to high blood pressure or hypertension.
When you’re pregnant, you need to be extra careful with your blood pressure as hypertension can lead to many health complications. But expecting mums need to watch out in particular for one called preeclampsia, which can have severe health consequences on both baby and mummy.
Scientists have conducted studies and proved that lessening the amount of salt in your food does help to reduce high blood pressure. Another study even shows that in the long run, not taking in too much salt reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases by as much as 30% (24).
So, it makes sense for expecting mums to avoid eating too much salt, especially high-sodium foods like instant noodles during their time of pregnancy.
2. Instant Noodles Contain Synthetic Chemicals Like Preservatives & Colouring
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Processed food has added chemicals, such as preservatives and colouring. There are numerous studies showing the health risks of such additives. When pregnant, certain additives if consumed in large amounts, can have severe health implications on the developing baby — even affecting his brain.
In addition, instant noodles take longer to digest in your bodies, even during pregnancy. That’s because they contain wax and a preservative called TBHQ – taking as long as four to five days to be completely digested. The delayed digestion can interfere with your digestive system — which is already frequently affected by problems due to pregnancy hormones.
What Doctors Say About Eating Instant Noodles During Pregnancy
Dr Benny Johan Marpaung is a Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Brawijaya women’s and children’s hospital in South Jakarta. He says that “While pregnant, whatever mums eat will directly affect fetal development. Therefore, it’s best for pregnant women to pay attention to their food intake.”
Dr Benny explains further that synthetic flavours and preservatives in instant noodles can be dangerous for a mum’s pregnancy. It can also have a negative impact on the baby. Therefore, it’s best for mums to steer clear of eating instant noodles during the months of pregnancy.
Craving For Instant Noodles During Your Pregnancy: Why Not Try This Instead?
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Why not try a healthier alternative to instant noodles like a hearty and healthy beefy tomato noodle soup?
Ingredients (for four):
- 4 tomatoes – roughly chopped (skin removed; make a cross at the base of the tomato and soaked in hot water for 5m for easier peeling)
- 500g beef – sliced
- 500ml beef stock
- 1 tsp of:
- Tomato puree
- Sugar to taste
- Sesame oil
- Dash of Worcestershire sauce
- Dash of pepper
- Cornflour + water for thickening
- Noodles of your choice – cooked according to packet instructions
How To Make It:
- Boil the tomatoes in beef stock till soft and all broken up.
- Add in beef and remaining ingredients.
- Add in cornflour with water to thicken.
- Serve it over noodles.
We hope you found this article useful, pregnant mummies! If you’re craving some noodles, why not try our wanton mee noodle or Soto mee recipes? They’re sure to be a lot healthier than instant noodles during your pregnancy!
References: Healthline (1, 2), NCBI (1, 2)
This article was translated and republished with the permission from theAsianparent Indonesia.
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