Since the launch of producing indomie in Nigeria in 1995, indomie has become a significant staple in Nigerian homes. It is made by an Indonesian manufacturing company, indofood which is currently the world's largest instant food manufacturer. 

Indomie became as popular as garri and even our famous jollof rice in the early 2000s. Kids, and adults love it. Children love this instant noodle because of its spicy taste and unique flavour. And it is loved by adults mainly because of how easy and quick it is to prepare. It is affordable, and even amateur cooks can make it taste good.

To make your noodles more nutritious and enjoyable, indomie is usually prepared in different ways. You can cook indomie as:

• Indomie and eggs.
• Fried veggie noodles.
• Indomie noodle soup.
• Stir-fried chicken noodles.
• Indomie nuggets.
• Indomie omelette. 

Indomie goes through several processes to be made. It is compressed, steamed, and fried lightly in oil before it is cooled and packaged. The main ingredients of indomie are wheat flour, pressurised water, salt and vitamin B2. 

Components of Indomie Instant Noodles

The small size of indomie (70g) contains the following: 

• 320 calories 
• 58 g carbohydrate 
• 7 g protein 
• 0.65g total fat
• 8 g saturated fat 
• 1.2 g dietary fibre
• 1180 mg Sodium 
• 0.4 Sugars 
• 20% of the RDI(Reference daily intake) Vitamin A 
• 15% of the RDI Thiamin 
• 4% of the RDI pantothenate 
• 20% of the RDI VitaminB6
• 6% of the RDI VitaminB12
• 2% of the RDI calcium 
• 15% of the RDI Vitamin D
• 8% of the RDI Riboflavin
• 2% of the RDI Niacin 
• 15% of the RDI folic acid 
• 8% of the RDI Iron

If you carefully observe, the nutritional table above, you will realise that several vitamins the body needs to grow and maintain your health need to be included or available in adequate quantities. Instant noodles like indomie are usually high in fat, carbohydrates, and sodium. They lack essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, B12, etc.

Potential Downsides of Consuming Indomie Instant Noodles:

• Low in nutrients: Instant noodles contain low amounts of protein and fiber. These are nutrients that aid the digestion of meals and make them filling. A lack of these ingredients can cause constipation, reduce healthy gut bacteria, and increase unhealthy consumption. 

• High in sodium: Instant noodles, especially their seasoning, contain high amounts of sodium. Although sodium is an essential mineral the body needs to function well, too much is not suitable for you. There is an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and even stomach cancer.

• High in MSG: Monosodium glutamate is an ingredient usually added to processed food to improve its flavour and taste. High consumption of this increases the risk of nausea, asthma, obesity, and high blood pressure in some people.

A survey of 10,711 adults in Korea showed that the consumption of instant noodles twice or more weekly was associated with a high frequency of metabolic syndrome (a group of health conditions leading to heart diseases and other related problems) in women. Marginally higher abdominal obesity was also discovered in these sets of women.

Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at HSPH, says, "one or two times a month is not a problem, but a few times a week is" in an August 2014 New York Times article. He made this statement to discourage the frequent consumption of instant noodles. 

Is It Safe For You To Consume Indomie Instant Noodles During Pregnancy?

Several ingredients in instant noodles make it an unhealthy dietary choice for you during pregnancy. Some of these include:

Sodium, a significant ingredient in instant noodles, makes up 40% of salt. According to this medical research, excessive salt intake is a significant cause of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.

It also hypotheses that excessive salt intake during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage or adverse pregnancy outcome. Instant noodles do not contain enough nutrients for your developing baby. They are low in essential nutrients and high in calories.

Instant noodles like indomie also contain preservatives like TBHQ. The purpose of this preservative is to extend shelf life and maintain its flavour by reducing oxidation. The possible danger of this preservative in humans is vision disturbances.

Lastly, instant noodles cannot satiate your hunger. It contains little protein but is very high in calories. You might be forced to eat more than you should, ingesting lots of calories. This can lead to unhealthy body fat or obesity. It would take hours of active exercise to burn off calories you get from a small sachet of noodles.

Conclusion 

Pregnancy cravings are a big deal. And more often than not, they will not bend to logic. Hormonal changes that trigger a heightened sense of smell, taste, and nutritional deficiencies can cause you to crave noodles. 

In the circumstances like these, seek your doctor's permission to indulge in small quantities. And make it a healthier meal by doing the following:

1. Add vegetables.
2. No extra salt.
3. Add lots of protein.
4. Choose a low-sodium version of instant noodles.
5. Ditch the seasonings. 

Mama, we understand how cravings work in pregnancy. Consume noodles in moderation like once or twice a week to be on the safer side. Remember to consult your doctor before making any decision. A babymigo mama is a healthy mama.

Leave your thoughts and comments on the article. Are you also guilty of consuming excess noodles? Let’s hear it. Stay PreggySafe.