Love Noodles – There is hardly a person who doesn’t like noodles! According to research, 290 million servings of instant noodles are eaten every day in the world. Noodles are a go-to food for so many of us due to their short-preparation time and extremely appetising taste.
However, the health risks associated with noodles are something that concerns all noodle lovers. No matter how delectable noodles are; we just cannot ignore the fact that they are junk. Since they are highly loaded with monosodium glutamate, they can eventually lead to adverse effects like weight gain, increased blood pressure, negative impact on the brain, and headaches, which can in no time, cause severe health issues.
Wouldn’t it be a boon if we could consume noodles frequently without having to fret about the risks we are exposing ourselves to? Many people thought about this and eventually, someone came up with the concept of plant-based noodles!
With the world population taking health seriously, and the adoption of a vegan life by the majority, most foods have been produced avoiding additives and keeping them as plant-based as possible. Noodles are no exception.
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Benefits of Plant-based instant noodles
Before we proceed with the types of plant-based noodles that you must try, let’s get thoroughly acquainted with their benefits:
A] High fibre and better gut health
Most instant noodles are frowned upon for having a low fibre content that deteriorates gut health. Low fibre diets can be responsible for many illnesses like heart disease, arthritis, and commonly constipation. Some scientists have claimed a low fibre diet leads to a shorter lifespan. All this kept in mind; instant noodles are something one needs to avoid.
However, not when plant-based instant noodles exist! Plant-based noodles have relatively high fibre content and this can be increased by adding cruciferous vegetables to the ramen you prepare. High fibre in food intake for ages has been associated with keeping the stomach healthy. It supports the growth and thriving of stomach bacteria, which in turn, breaks down the food appropriately.
B] Healthy fats for better energy
Instant noodles always have a high fat content, which makes them fall into the category of unhealthy foods. Over decades, we have been hearing about how the consumption of fats is an invitation to several diseases. But with the increase in access to knowledge, we are now aware that fats can be classified as good and bad fat.
Unlike instant noodles, plant-based instant noodles have healthy fats, which do not get stored in the body and break down quickly to help produce energy. They lack animal products and trans fats, which is great for the body since it helps in preventing heart diseases, lowering blood sugar levels and cholesterol, and even boosting energy.
C] Lower cholesterol
Many different factors can contribute to high blood cholesterol with diet being the most significant one. A high level of cholesterol can lead to the development of fatty deposits in your blood vessels, which eventually can form a clot that causes a heart attack or stroke. Fried foods are the biggest culprit of cholesterol, which denotes that instant noodles are very unhealthy for the heart. The plant-based food, however, has a good kind of cholesterol or HDL and lower LDL, making plant-based noodles ideal for heart-friendly diets.
D] Immense protein
Contrary to popular belief, you do not need meat and poultry for protein. Plant-based products are widely gaining prominence as an alternative for proteins. Normal instant noodles have only 4 grams of protein whereas plant-based instant noodles have roughly 21 grams of protein.
Plant-based picks you must not miss!
Today, with increased demand for vegan foods, there are several brands attempting to create plant-based products. One of the brands that specialise in the production of plant-based noodles is WhatIF Foods.
They currently have two instant noodle variants; Bamnut and Moringa noodles.
1] Bamnut Noodles
These noodles are created from highly sustainable crops like Bambara groundnut and are packed with plant-based protein. They are devoid of artificial colouring, flavours, sweeteners, preservatives, and monosodium glutamate (MSG). They are available in 4 different hues; orange, black, yellow, or green and look very aesthetic when served. The Bamnut noodles are chewy and springy and are consumed dry. Shroom pepper seasoning and sesame & garlic seasoning are the usual accompaniments of bamnut noodles.
2] Moringa noodles
The Crisp and appetising moringa noodles are fresh green colored. They derive their tint from the extracts of Moringa leaves, a regenerative crop. We all are aware of how ‘greens’ included in the diet are healthy, which is made evident by the nutritious moringa noodles! The noodles consist of good quality spices and herbs, giving them the flavour, paired with seasonings and are MSG-free. Moringa noodles are rich in vitamin A, potassium, calcium and iron and have a lot of health benefits. They are also environmentally-friendly and sustainable.
Both these instant noodle types offer all the above-mentioned and several other benefits while maintaining a magical taste! They are good enough to be a frequent part of your diet! So, what are you waiting for? It is time to slurp the healthiest noodles on the plant. Try them and judge for yourself!
