Can I eat ramen when pregnant? Do I have to give up my favorite food??
Is ramen safe for pregnant women to eat?
Yes, you can eat ramen when pregnant! In moderation, it’s completely safe to eat.
The biggest concern would be how much you eat since ramen can be high in salt, preservatives, and fats, which aren’t the healthiest things for your baby. But in moderation, ramen is a safe choice to have while pregnant.
Be sure to listen to your doctor and do what feels right for your body and your baby.
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The benefits of eating ramen while pregnant
Ramen can be a good source of protein, mineral iron, fiber, and carbs. Maintaining healthy levels of iron can prevent anemia and promote good oxygen blood flow in your body.
The fiber in ramen can help aid your digestion and regulate your cholesterol. The carbohydrates in ramen provide you with some of the much-needed energy during your pregnancy.
The concerns of eating ramen noodles while pregnant
While ramen can be a tasty meal to satisfy your cravings, you still have to watch out for the side effects that come with overconsumption.
The main worries of eating too much ramen are high cholesterol and high blood pressure. The high fat and sodium content in ramen can increase the risk of heart disease during your pregnancy.
If you’re only eating ramen in moderation, then you should have nothing to worry about. Consuming any one food in excess can be concerning, but a balanced diet can include a bowl of ramen from time to time.
Also read: should I eat sushi while pregnant?
What is the best ramen for pregnant women to eat?
If you do choose to have ramen while pregnant, then it’d be best to choose ramen with extra protein and vegetables to provide a well-rounded meal. It’s best to avoid instant ramen because of its lack of nutrition and high sodium levels.
If you’re making instant ramen, you can make it healthier by making your own broth instead of using the included flavor packet. You can also add vegetables (like bean sprouts), meat, tofu, or an egg to the ramen for more nutrition.
Also read: Are ramen noodles egg goodles or something different entirely?
Ramen allergies to watch out for
If you have any allergies to fish, then I’d avoid ramen because some ramen broth is made from fish or fish flakes.
If you have a fish or seafood allergy, be sure to research your ramen beforehand to be sure it’s safe for you to eat. Certain ramen broth is made from tuna, anchovies, sardines, and more.
There’s also ramen broth made from seaweed or kelp that may be a safer choice, depending on your allergy. Besides the broth, you should also watch out for what’s going into your ramen and double-check for possible food allergies.
Ramen additions to avoid while pregnant
Ramen can come with different additions and toppings. But be sure yours are safe to eat while pregnant.
It’s important to make sure all of the additions to your ramen are fully cooked. It’s unsafe to consume raw meat, fish, or eggs. Order your meat and eggs well done or if you’re cooking them yourself, make sure you’re cooking your ingredients thoroughly.
Vegetables are a great addition to ramen but make sure your veggies are washed thoroughly before consuming them. Unwashed produce can have traces of bacteria, parasites, pesticides, and more.
Pregnant women should avoid fish with high levels of mercury. Some examples to avoid are shark, swordfish, tuna, orange roughy, marlin, and tilefish.
Fish that are low in mercury are healthy to consume in moderation while pregnant. Some good fish are anchovies, cod, haddock, flounder, salmon, tilapia, and freshwater trout.
Treat yourself to ramen while pregnant
As you can see, ramen noodles are ok to eat while pregnant, so long as you eat it in moderation. Also, if you’re cooking at home, then you should make sure you wash the veggies thoroughly and that all the ingredients are cooked completely.
Also read: these are some of the most delicious toppings to order on your ramen
Check out our new cookbook
Bitemybun's family recipes with complete meal planner and recipe guide.
Try it out for free with Kindle Unlimited:
Read for free
Joost Nusselder, the founder of Bite My Bun is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new food with Japanese food at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with recipes and cooking tips.