Is Ramen Healthy?—Everything You Need to Know

Let’s talk about the famous Japanese dish Ramen. Did you ever feel, Is Ramen Healthy? And what kind of health benefits does this often-overlooked dish provide to your overall health? 

Since its existence, people have been fond of this dish for its flavorful and satisfying taste, but are not sure about its nutritional value and the advantages you get after having it in your diet.

So without much delay, let’s get into the world of Japanese-adapted Chinese white noodle soup and know how healthy it is for you!

Nutritional Composition of Ramen

The nutritional profile of Ramen is different based on the ingredients used in preparing it. Most of the ingredients used in Ramen produce nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

The predominant ingredient of noodles consists of carbohydrates that boost your energy, whereas proteins are produced from ingredients like meat and tofu, which are helpful for muscle growth and repair. Toppings used based on one’s preferences will give the fat content and also add flavor to the broth.

There will be variations in the nutritional compositions of homemade or restaurant ramen with instantly made ramen. The homemade or restaurant ramen is prepared using fresh ingredients, which produce leaner protein and high-quality broths. Even though instant Ramen is good in taste because of its added preservatives, it has higher sodium levels.

High-quality Proteins

Japanese ramen is a good source of a variety of proteins for your body because of the ingredients such as chicken, pork and tofu. These proteins contribute required amino acids which help to manage and repair the body’s tissues. 

It is essential to incorporate high-quality protein into your balanced diet for muscle growth, immune system functionality, and overall wellness.

Nutrient-rich Vegetables

Ramen has a good amount of vegetables such as green onions, sprouts, beans, and bamboo shoots.

All these vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which help in better immune system functionality, strengthen your bones, and ease the digestive system. 

Complex Carbohydrates

The main ingredient noodles are made from wheat which provides you with a good amount of complex carbohydrate content which maximizes your energy levels all over the day.

Complex carbohydrates are slowly absorbed by the body, which helps to manage your energy levels throughout the day, whereas simple carbohydrates lead to an imbalance in your energy levels.

Bone-broth Benefits

Slow-simmered bones are used in the preparation method of bone, which produces amino acids, minerals, and collagen in the soup. This bone soup offers various advantages to your body such as betterment in your joint health, easy digestion, and improved skin elasticity.

Making Japanese Ramen Healthier—Opt for Whole Grain Noodles

To fix your cholesterol levels, support your digestive health, and keep the feeling of satiety for a longer period, whole grain noodles give you more fiber content. 

If you’re planning to order ramen from a restaurant, then ask if there is an option for wholegrain noodles or if the other way to get health benefits is to make one for you at home including these noodles.

Customize Your Toppings

There’s no limit if you want to add as many as toppings to your broth. You can add a lot of vegetables, lean protein sources, and a few more nutritious ingredients to transform your soup into a nutrient-rich diet.

A few options that we suggest are spinach, boiled eggs, seaweed, and mushrooms to turn the broth into a delicious one.

Limit Sodium Intake

A typical ramen soup consists of higher sodium levels, which raises your blood pressure levels if it is excessively consumed.

To maintain the sodium levels, go for low-sodium options or try to prepare one for you using the ingredients that are low in sodium levels and use natural toppings as well.

Choose a Lighter Broth

If you want to try ramen in different ways, use an available variety of broth, that ranges from mild soy-based shoyu to high and creamy tonkatsu.

Opting for a lighter broth can help to reduce overall calorie and fat intake while still enjoying the delicious flavors of ramen.

If you are particular about your caloric and fat intake, go for lighter broth options, which reduce the intake of these nutrients and also help to enjoy your favorite flavors of Ramen.

Homemade or Restaurant Ramen: Which One is Better?

Many people’s favorite comfort food can be either a pile of macaroni and cheese and for some others, it can be a warm bowl of Ramen broth when they need a quick meal.

Moreover, when you ask to choose between a homemade ramen or a restaurant one, it will be a homemade one as you can customize it by adding whatever healthy ingredients are included in your diet plan.

Ramen Can Be Enjoyed at Home for a Fraction of the Price

At some point, we all support local restaurants, but if you are frequently going to get Ramen from your nearest delivery spot, then you should try making these noodles at your home.

Even though this dish includes a variety of ingredients, it is advisable to make this broth on your own to get all the health benefits. But ordering it from the menu is cheaper than a homemade Ramen.

It is essential to consider what kind of noodles have been included in both restaurant or home-made Ramen. Opt for wholegrain noodles, add as many as, vegetables, and also go for lean proteins which provide a well-balanced diet.

If you are choosing between a rich bone broth or a vegetable broth, it is important to check the quality of the soup and the ingredients used because it has a certain impact on your overall wellness.

Awesome Benefits of Eating Plant-based Ramen

Like all the other diets, a plant-based diet can never cause any type of health issues if taken necessary precautions and consumed in moderate quantities. It is good for your healthy lifestyle, which promotes your overall wellness. 

The preparation process is also easy to follow, and you can make these delicious plant-based ramen noodles very quickly. If you want to come out of your comfort food and turn to a healthy diet, then this serves as the best alternative.

Promotes Gut Health Due to High Fiber Content 

Foods that are rich in fiber are said to promote good gut health. However, in these days we have come up with options such as immi ramen which has high-fiber content. 

This helps to satisfy our cravings as well as boost the fiber content.

Many studies have been conducted to know the positive effects of fiber on an individual health condition, particularly on gut health. 

Fiber keeps the good bacteria in your stomach alive and cuts down the consumed food, which leads to easy digestion.

Scientific studies have been conducted to show that low-fiber intake in your diet leads to many health issues such as heart disease, arthritis as well as constipation. 

People with low-fiber intake will have shorter life spans compared with persons consuming high-fiber foods.

Helps to Reduce Inflammation for Healthier Joints

If you are fitness-conscious and waiting to switch to a plant-based diet, then Ramen serves as a healthier choice. Plant-based noodles help to reduce inflammation in your joints because red meat and dairy products are said to be the main culprits that cause inflammation in adults.

A plant-based diet is a great alternative because the ingredients in it have both soluble and insoluble fiber that decreases inflammation throughout your body.

Conclusion

Ramen has gained worldwide popularity because of its mouthwatering experience that crosses all the boundaries. Knowing the nutritional facts about ramen helps us to make the right decisions when it comes to alignment with our healthier diet. 

If you are enjoying either a restaurant-bought ramen or an instant bowl of broth, the key lies in the portion size, also be aware of the ingredients used to make ramen the most delectable dish around the globe.

Frequently Asked Questions