Here's How Much Instant Ramen You're Actually Supposed To Eat At Once
Ramen noodles have never once led us astray, and we mean that. Remember those days in college when almost any grocery felt luxurious? Ramen noodles were there for us, offering a delicious and quick meal that was so satisfying, especially during the winter months. Even now, when you're looking for something quick to make for dinner that feels a little bougie, making ramen noodles and adding a few veggies and an egg is almost always a surefire win. Restaurants have really taken on ramen as an entree now, too, which we are here for. Heck yes, we want a massive bowl of soup with never-ending noodles and a cool spoon.
While we love ramen endlessly for a myriad of reasons, one of the biggest pitfalls it has is its nutritional value. It's no secret that ramen noodles are not exactly the healthiest of foods. We knew that going into each and every bowl. Between the super high sodium levels and the fact that the noodles contain a pretty hefty amount of carbohydrates (via Verywell Fit), it's not the healthiest option. So how much of the instant stuff should you actually eat in one go?
One serving of instant ramen is actually half a packet
The label on an instant ramen noodle packet says there are 190 calories per serving (via HuffPost), which many might think is probably the entire packet. Not so, unfortunately. Each little bag of store-bought instant ramen actually contains two servings, both of which are 190 calories. That clocks the entire bag in at around 380 calories plus a whopping total of roughly 1,300 mg of sodium (via Verywell Fit). For reference, the daily recommended limit for sodium is under 2,300 mg per day for adults (via the FDA).
We're not here to say you can't enjoy an entire brick of ramen noodles in a single sitting, because we are absolutely going to continue doing just that. It is helpful, however, to have an idea of serving sizes and to be aware of how much of a food you're consuming, especially if it's one with a less-than-perfect nutritional profile, such as ramen noodles. A nutritionist in California told HuffPost "it's not bad to eat more than a serving, as long as you are aware that you are doing so." If it's good enough for a nutritionist, it's good enough for us!