Noodles have swiftly become a modern-day staple dish. When parents are pressed for time and their children are hungry, they go for quick noodles. With so many instant noodle brands to choose from, finding a flavor that your kid enjoys has never been easier. However, you should consider if noodles are the correct meal for your youngster. And that is precisely what we will explore in this post. Let's start by determining if noodles are good for babies and kids.
Are Noodles Good for Babies & Kids?
Noodles are a sort of dough-based pasta. Homemade noodles are a mainstay in many regions of the globe, and they are healthy to eat since they are free of chemicals and preservatives. However, the ones sold in stores, especially quick noodles, include chemicals and preservatives that make them unsuitable for youngsters. Any kind of noodle, whether handmade or store-bought, is unsafe for newborns to eat because they will choke. You may wish to stick to healthier selections for older kids and avoid quick noodles. Let's look at why noodles and quick noodles are bad for your child.
Why Are Instant Noodles Dangerous for Children?
Here are a few additional reasons why quick noodles aren't suitable for your child.
1. It's been through a lot of processing
Instant noodles are mostly comprised of maida and are processed for packing. They have no/extremely poor nutritional value. Consumables with no calories are known as empty calorie foods.
2. Carriers of Trans Fats
To increase the shelf life of noodles, they are steamed and then deep-fried in oil. As a result, trans fats from the oil end up in the noodles, causing your kid to gain weight.
3. Wax Finish
Noodles must have a pleasing appearance, which is done by applying a layer of wax to them during the production process. Wax is very toxic to youngsters and has been linked to liver damage.
4. Propylene Glycol-Containing Foods
Noodles can't be completely dry since they need to keep their internal liquid. Propylene glycol is added to them to achieve this. This toxin puts children at greater danger because it accumulates in the heart, liver, and kidneys, causing long-term harm.
5. Monosodium Glutamate Presence
For a very crucial reason, MSG, as it was famously shortened and reported in the press, is commonly utilized in instant noodles. It really improves the flavor. This substance, however, is dangerous to both children and adults since it has been linked to brain damage.
6. Sodium As a Preservative
Noodles already have a lot of salt in them to keep them fresh for a long time. Sodium, which is found in salt, has a direct effect on the essential organs and may be harmful if ingested in excess.
7. The Presence of Toxic Chemicals
Aside from the aforementioned causes, the material used to package noodles contains numerous chemicals such as plasticisers and dioxin. These compounds are carcinogenic and may persist in the noodles after they have been cooked. Although one could believe that their intake isn't excessive or that they cook safely, some components that might cause cancer are not worth the risk.
Existence of Toxic Chemicals
Even if you know that noodles, particularly quick noodles, are not suitable for newborns, you may find yourself with nothing but a bag of instant noodles. And you may have to give it to your child if he can't control his appetite. There are, however, certain things you can do to make it a bit safer for your youngster.
Things to Keep in Mind When Feeding Kids Noodles
As wonderful as numerous noodle dishes for kids may be, once you learn about their dangers, you should be extra cautious before offering them to your children. Here's how you can make it a little less dangerous than it was previously. Having stated that, we advise you to absolutely avoid giving noodles to your children.
- When cooking the noodles, make sure they are completely drained to eliminate any extra oil and salt.
- Instead of using the pre-packaged flavouring and seasoning that comes with each box of instant noodles, consider making your own seasonings that don't include significant amounts of salt or other chemicals.
- Instead of using the conventional palm/refined oil to cook the noodles, use a healthy oil alternative. You may use olive oil or leave it out entirely.
- Because noodles have little nutritional value by themselves, you may choose to add chopped vegetables like cabbage, carrots, peas, beans, and other vegetables to make it more aesthetically attractive and palatable.
- Keep an eye out for noddles with reduced salt and other fats while shopping for noodles at the store. The majority of them are intended for adults, so you may have to dig a bit deeper to find the ideal one to feed your kids.
If you believe that noodles are an unhealthy snack for your child, have a variety of options on hand to satiate his appetite and divert his attention away from instant noodles.
