Did you know that roughly 95 billion packs of instant noodles are eaten every year? Instant soup is a massively popular food item across the world with countless different kinds to try. But what are instant noodles, and are there healthy noodles we can enjoy?
If you're curious about instant noodle soup, we're here to help. Read on to learn more about ready-to-eat soup and cup noodles.
1. Is Instant Soup Unhealthy?
One of the most common things you hear about instant soup is that it's wildly unhealthy. These claims are often made as a blanket argument against instant soup as a whole.
While there are some instant soups that aren't healthy, there are plenty that are. Many instant soups are made as health foods and are made to become a healthy part of your diet.
That said, there are many instant soups that are not healthy. Some brands contain a high amount of sodium. While a pack or two of these noodles won't harm you, having them on a regular basis can have negative effects.
Look into the ingredients in your soup to see whether they're healthy noodles. Our product is low-carb, low-sodium, and gluten-free. You can safely enjoy our product with the satisfaction of having a healthy meal.
2. Are Instant Noodles Fried?
Some instant noodles are fried but not all. Many instant noodles will undergo frying to give a different texture or mouthfeel. Others are dried in other methods to obtain different textures or flavors.
Flash-frying noodles dries them quickly and gives them a longer shelf life. The shelf life of fried noodles surpasses even that of most frozen noodles!
Other noodles are dehydrated in different ways. Their shelf life is still incredibly long, but fried noodles typically last longer.
If you're purchasing food long-term, such as for emergency rations, you may prefer fried noodles. If you're purchasing instant noodles with the intent of eating them soon, you likely won't need them to have a shelf life of several years.
3. How Are Instant Noodles Dried?
Most instant noodles are dried via flash-frying. To flash fry, the noodles are dehydrated in "oil heat." Doing so effectively fries them, increasing their longevity.
The other primary method is typical dehydration. Dehydration sucks all moisture out of the noodles. Preparing them with hot water rehydrates them once again.
A third method is flash-freezing. Also called freeze-drying, doing so eliminates moisture and dehydrates the noodles. Many vegetables are also flash-frozen.
4. Do Instant Noodles Cause Cancer?
In recent years, a study released that claimed that instant noodles cause cancer. It's important to know that there is no scientific basis behind this claim.
The claim originally asserted that instant noodles have a wax coating. Following this, the argument was that eating this wax coating would cause cancer. While this argument was forgotten, it resurged during the COVID pandemic, as many people trapped inside were eating more instant soup.
The claim that noodles have a wax coating is false. Furthermore, no scientific research asserts that instant noodles cause cancer.
However, a diet that is high in sodium or grease can allegedly increase the chance of stomach cancer. While this is not something exclusive to instant noodles, many believe it links instant noodles directly to cancer.
5. What Makes Instant Noodles So Popular?
Instant noodles are enjoyed by billions around the world, but why? Instant noodles have several perks that people enjoy.
The most dominant reason is their incredible convenience. Instant noodle soup is easy to prepare and requires minimal supplies. A small amount of hot water is all that's usually necessary to rehydrate noodles.
Because of this, they're enjoyable while traveling, with few supplies, or when you don't want to cook a large meal. Such a feature makes them highly popular among people that are leaving work and don't have the energy to cook. Travelers also often bring instant noodles for a quick, enjoyable meal.
Another great reason is that instant noodles are typically inexpensive. A cup of noodles is rarely more than a few dollars. Some brands sell packs by the dozen for less than the cost of most meals.
Those that are living on a budget enjoy instant noodles for this reason. Whether you're traveling or saving a buck, instant noodles are a perfect meal.
6. What Are Instant Noodles Made Of?
Generally, instant noodles are made of wheat, water, and salt. Many brands have their own ingredients. Kansui is also often added to serve as an alkaline to add elasticity.
Some brands make gluten-free noodles that replace the wheat with other ingredients. If you're ever curious about what your noodles contain, just read the ingredients! Companies cannot sell food that they hide the ingredients of.
7. Can Instant Noodles Be Healthy?
Yes! Many brands of instant noodles are healthy. While some believe that instant noodle soup is an unhealthy meal, it comes down to what the company is putting into the soup.
Our soups are vegan and vegetarian-friendly, as well as free of any GMOs. They're also low-sodium and friendly to Keto diets.
A healthy soup is enjoyable at any time and in any quantity. Consider looking into what soups best fit your diet. While you can find many unhealthy instant noodles, there are countless healthy options on the market as well.
Making Instant Soup
Instant soup is enjoyed worldwide by billions and fits every lifestyle, budget, and constraint. Healthy noodles are a wonderful way to enjoy the convenience of instant noodle soup without having to endure junk food. Look into instant noodles of all kinds to find your new favorite flavor to add to your diet.
For more information on the convenience and health benefits of ready-to-eat soup, be sure to browse our blog! You can also find a list of where to find our products here.