Can I Eat Korean Ramen While Pregnant? [Explained]

Are you pregnant and wondering if it is safe to eat Korean ramen?

We totally understand your hesitancy, especially given the fact that when eaten in excess by everyone, ramen noodles come with their fair share of potential health risks.

But don’t fret! With this blog post, we will provide you with the information needed to make an informed decision about whether or not it is safe for pregnant women – namely yourself – to enjoy a bowl of delicious Korean ramen every once in a while.

Can I Eat Korean Ramen While Pregnant?

Yes, pregnant women can eat Korean ramen while pregnant. However, it is best to consume it in moderation due to its high sodium content.

It isn’t very nutritious and contains a lot of carbohydrates, preservatives, and calories which can be unhealthy for you during pregnancy. Moreover, the seasoning of some Korean ramen contains up to 800 mg of sodium which is more than the amount recommended for pregnant women.

Unhealthy Snack

You should also know that Korean ramen is not a healthy snack as it is highly processed and needs whole-food ingredients. So, it is better to keep it as an occasional snack only to satisfy your craving. The best thing to do is consume Korean ramen at most once or twice a week. But please consult your doctor before making any dietary changes.

You can avoid adding seasoning packets to your noodle to minimize the excess sodium. Instead, you can add some eggs or veggies. This way, your ramen can become more nutritious.

Is Spicy Ramen Okay To Eat While Pregnant?

Eating spicy foods while pregnant is considered safe, but it can cause discomfort, especially if you are not used to spicy food. Eating spicy ramen during pregnancy might not cause serious trouble for you if you consume spicy food regularly. [3]

Many expected women report that spicy food during the days of morning sickness, heartburn, and indigestion is not a good experience for them. On the other hand, some women don’t have any issues eating spicey food throughout their pregnancy.

So, it’s all up to you. If eating spicy Korean ramen does not create any problems for you, you can also continue enjoying them during pregnancy (but in moderation).

Can breastfeeding moms eat ramen?

You should avoid eating ramen if you are a breastfeeding mom. Eating Korean ramen while breastfeeding can increase the chances of obesity and constipation in babies.

As mentioned above, ramen noodles are high in carbs and sodium. Moreover, the flavoring packets of these instant noodles also contain chemical additives. The consumption of these chemicals during breastfeeding harms your growing baby and can affect brain development.

Are Maruchan ramen noodles safe during pregnancy?

Yes, Maruchan ramen noodles are safe, and you can eat them during pregnancy. Try not to include it in your daily diet. Eating them once or twice a week cannot harm you.

Is Tonkotsu ramen safe during pregnancy?

Tonkotsu Ramen is safe to eat while pregnant. It is a Japanese noodle soup that is made with pork bone broth. You can eat this ramen in moderation during pregnancy to avoid any complications.

Conclusion

Although Korean ramen contains a high amount of sodium and salt, eating them in moderation is safe during pregnancy.

Sources:

https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/diet-and-fitness/is-it-safe-to-eat-foods-with-msg-during-pregnancy_2285 
https://www.momjunction.com/articles/ramen-noodles-during-pregnancy_00379344/ 
https://www.verywellfamily.com/can-i-eat-spicy-foods-while-pregnant-5195400 
https://www.newmomstuff.com/can-i-eat-noodles-while-breastfeeding