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Q: Why are instant noodles so bad?
We all know instant noodles. I am not a great fan, but if I mix in some meat they make can fend off hunger. And hey, every shop has them.
So why do my Chinese friends tell me not to eat them every day? I ask why, but they just say "bad for you".
Does anyone know why instant noodles are bad for me?
i remember watching a tv show years ago called "chicago hope" about an emergency room intern doctor hell on earth lifestyle and one intern sees the other eating instant noodles and says "why dont you just eat a cup of salt and chase it with a glass of water" and the intern looks at the ingredients on the label and there it is "contains 60 percent sodium", i never ate noodles again from an instant package.
ScotsAlan:
I tend not to use the packs of stuff that comes with the noodles. I prefer to use my own spices etc.
But yeah, I can see the point about salt. That's why I try not to use soy sauce.
But, if I go out to eat the food is over salted anyway. Even fresh noodles are probably over heavy on salt. My MIL seams to empty our salt container in a single week with her cooking.
i remember watching a tv show years ago called "chicago hope" about an emergency room intern doctor hell on earth lifestyle and one intern sees the other eating instant noodles and says "why dont you just eat a cup of salt and chase it with a glass of water" and the intern looks at the ingredients on the label and there it is "contains 60 percent sodium", i never ate noodles again from an instant package.
ScotsAlan:
I tend not to use the packs of stuff that comes with the noodles. I prefer to use my own spices etc.
But yeah, I can see the point about salt. That's why I try not to use soy sauce.
But, if I go out to eat the food is over salted anyway. Even fresh noodles are probably over heavy on salt. My MIL seams to empty our salt container in a single week with her cooking.
There have probably been a few scandals with the noodles being exposed as being full of cancer causing chemicals or something. Or, if not I'm sure people just assume they are.
How can you trust anything that looks like a delicious hearty meal with big chunks of meat and veg on the packaging, then looks like plastic with a few tiny scraps of dehydrated meat and veg and a packet of gutter oil seasoning when you open it?
ScotsAlan:
I was told a similar thing about reusing water bottles. I was told not to refill an empty bottle because it would give me cancer.
Scandinavian:
Scots. The water bottle thing.... In general, don't worry about it. In most of the world the plastic used for bottles is made for the purpose, to contain a drink, so nothing will be transferred to water you fill yourself.
In China, maybe someone has a cousin who could supply some cheap plastic material that then goes into the production of water bottles, milk formula and condoms.
Anyway, if the original water in the bottle is drinkable, having stayed in the bottle for a long time, then water ýou fill yourself and drink relatively shortly after would be safer (tap water excluded)
Having written this, please also filter for the fact that maybe Chinese people put 100C water in the plastic bottles, which naturally is uttter BS and based on not knowing shit.
I bet I have eaten this brand an average of once a week (maybe more) over five+ years.... dunno if it's unhealthy or not, though I imagine it's probably not the healthiest food one could eat. Throw in a fried or boiled egg, 1 clove of fresh garlic, a cut up red-pepper and it's not a bad little meal.
*i don't put in the soy sauce either
to answer the question though, I don't know why they are bad for you. same reason all over-processed food is I guess.
ScotsAlan:
Someone needs to do a guide on how to post photos on here 
.
I get what you mean about over processed foods, but to be honest I feel safer eating processed foods in China than I do with the local market produce. At least processed foods have some sort of quality control.... hopefully..
Food scandals... it is not every brand but unfortunately one bad apple...
Just like with the damn milk powder... now the whole country buys it from abroad or Hong Kong (which is still pretty much abroad).
The noodles are usually fired, meaning they are high on saturated fat.
The sauce/powder in the packages are packed with additives
The paper/plastic cups the noodles come in gives of carcinogenic crap when you add hot water.
In moderation, don't worry about it. If you eat it every day, then perhaps start looking for a good deal on cremating yourself. Of course, if the alternative to instant noodles are hole in the wall restaurant noodles, I wouldn't put one over the other.
ScotsAlan:
I heard that today Scan. That the noodles are fried. But I'm not sure. There is no fat on the surface of the hot water after I pour it in. I don't they are fried.
It's food for 1 RMB : what corner have been cut to make it this cheap ? It won't be bad once in a while, but of course, as main diet, not sure it's enjoyable and nutritious.
ScotsAlan:
The carton probably costs more than the food. But, the raw ingredients for the food are probably really cheap. The actual product is fairly priced given the sales volume.
