Ramen noodles: Are oodles ok?

February 23, 2000
Web posted at: 12:17 PM EST (1717 GMT)

By Raymond Lie

(WebMD) -- Momofuku Ando probably didn't get many votes when Time Magazine chose its Person of the Century -- even though he invented one of the most influential foods of the past 100 years. No, he didn't clone sheep or genetically engineer a super tomato. His contribution to the modern diet -- instant noodles.

Introduced to America in 1970 by Ando's company Nissan Foods, the packs of brick-like curlicues morph into long, rubbery noodles in a salty soup base in just five minutes. Add to this simplicity the economical price (as low as 12 packs for a dollar) and it's no surprise that this fast-food "delicacy" is a preferred choice for college students strapped for cash or short on cooking skills.

These monuments to expedience, marketed under such brand names as Top Ramen (ramen means "noodle" in Japanese), Oodles of Noodles and Cup-a-Soup, have provided vital sustenance during many a stressful late-night cram session. Filling, yes. But are they good for you?

"The noodles themselves are pretty harmless," said Ron Konzak, author of "The Book of Ramen." (Yes, someone actually wrote a book about ramen. There are web sites devoted to the topic, too.) "Usually it's the MSG in the flavor packets that can harm people on low sodium [diets] or [who are] allergic to the stuff."

MSG, or monosodium glutamate, is a "flavor enhancer" used to improve the taste of sweet, salty, bitter or sour foods. Instant noodle makers use it to make their shrimp flavors "shrimpier" and beef flavors "beefier."

According to Stephanie Brooks, a San Francisco Bay Area dietitian, MSG triggers an allergic reaction in 1 to 2 percent of the population. "People allergic to MSG can get burning sensations, chest and facial flushing or pain and headaches from it," Brooks said.

Even those who don't suffer from symptoms should be careful not to overdo it when it comes to the noodles, or at least the flavor packs, which Brooks says are also high in sodium. A sampling of the three main brands of instant noodles revealed sodium amounts of 687 to 830 milligrams per serving. That's 28 to 34 percent of the recommended daily value for a person consuming a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet. Each serving also contains between 7 and 11 grams of total fat (11 to 17 percent of the recommended daily value).

Brooks warns that those suffering from high blood pressure, taking diuretics or certain antidepressant medications (MAO inhibitors) or suffering from congestive heart failure should avoid the high sodium and MSG content supplied by instant noodles.

"I haven't eaten Top Ramen in months," said Chris Bank, 24, a newly graduated software designer in San Francisco. "I used to live off that stuff, but I haven't thought to buy it recently. I think I might scrounge up some change and pick up a case."

The Internet offers sites devoted to clever recipes using instant noodles. Some of the more interesting include ramen pancakes, ramen chili and cream cheese ramen. And many of the recipes don't incorporate the sodium-laden flavor packs.

© 2000 Healtheon/WebMD. All rights reserved.

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