Buzz
Instant noodles, a tempting dish, easy to prepare, have garnered favor from many. However, nutritionists have advised limiting instant noodle consumption to protect health, raising the question of whether pregnant women can eat instant noodles in the first trimester. The answer lies in the article below, find out now!
1. Can pregnant women have instant noodles in the first trimester?
Throughout the first trimester, women can have instant noodles but should not overindulge. With moderate consumption, the quantity and frequency of consumption not being excessive will not have harmful effects on the health of both mother and fetus.
Pregnant women in the first trimester can have instant noodles but should not overindulge
However, pregnant women need to be aware that instant noodles are high in starch, salt, and fat. Consuming too many instant noodles during pregnancy can lead to excessive intake of starch and fat, increasing the risk of weight gain and obesity. This is not the only reason, in the next part of the PasGo article, we will analyze further why women in the first three months of pregnancy should not eat too many instant noodles.
2. Can pregnant women eat instant noodles in the first trimester: Limit consumption
Why do experts advise limiting instant noodle consumption for pregnant women in the first trimester? Because frequent consumption of instant noodles often brings many risks to the health of pregnant women in the first trimester.
2.1. Increased Risk of Osteoporosis
During the first trimester, pregnant women should avoid excessive consumption of instant noodles because they lack calcium and contain numerous additives including preservatives, flavorings, and colorings. Among these additives is phosphate, a compound that enhances flavor. However, phosphate not only makes the food more appealing to pregnant women but also has the potential to weaken the absorption of calcium from other food sources, leading to the risk of osteoporosis and potentially affecting the development of the baby's teeth after birth.
2.2. Increased Risk of High Blood Pressure
Can pregnant women eat instant noodles in the first trimester? It's advisable to avoid excessive consumption because instant noodles contain high levels of salt, increasing the risk of high blood pressure. Every 100g of instant noodles provides approximately 2.5g of salt.
Eating too much instant noodles is not good for pregnant women's health
The process of supplying a large amount of salt into the body for an extended period leads to increased permeability of sodium ions into cells. This results in increased pressure on the blood vessels, enhancing resistance at peripheral blood vessels, a condition that can lead to high blood pressure in pregnant women. Elevated blood pressure can have numerous repercussions for expectant mothers in the future.
2.3. Increased Risk of Constipation for Pregnant Women in the First Trimester
Eating a lot of instant noodles during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy increases the risk of constipation. At this stage, the increased concentration of Progesterone hormone in the pregnant woman's body leads to a decrease in the activity rate of the stomach and intestines. This partially affects the digestive system and contributes to the occurrence of constipation.
At this stage, pregnant women need to be supplemented with fiber, but hybrid instant noodles have low fiber content. They only contain 500mg per 100g of the product, and lack essential vitamins and minerals. Eating too many instant noodles deprives the pregnant mother's body of fiber and important nutrients during this period.
2.4. Excessive Noodle Consumption May Lead to Nutritional Deficiency
It is not advisable to eat or use noodles as a main meal as they may cause nutrient deficiencies in pregnant women. Refined wheat flour is the main ingredient of instant noodles, which do not provide as many nutrients as other natural foods.
Instant noodles are nutritionally poor, so pregnant women should avoid excessive consumption
In 100g of instant noodles, there are 9.7g of protein, 500mg of fiber, and 55.1g of starch, however, they do not contain calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and various vitamins. Therefore, when asking experts whether it is safe for pregnant women to consume instant noodles during the first trimester, they always advise limiting intake and/or consuming them with other nutritious foods.
2.5. Risk of Increased Cholesterol Levels
Pregnant women who consume excessive amounts of instant noodles may experience an increase in unhealthy cholesterol levels in the body. Every 100g of instant noodles contains approximately 19.5g of fat, therefore, consuming too many instant noodles can lead to elevated blood cholesterol levels. This leads to the accumulation of fat in the circulatory system, causing contraction and hardening of the arteries and resulting in various repercussions later on.
3. Dietary Recommendations for Pregnant Women in the First Trimester
Can pregnant women eat instant noodles in the first trimester? Yes, but it's recommended to follow these eating methods:
3.1. Cooking Instant Noodles for Pregnant Women in the First Trimester
Expectant mothers should pre-cook the noodles in water before adding other ingredients. The aim is to remove some excess fat and any residual chemicals present in the noodles. During cooking, limit the use of only half a seasoning packet to reduce the amount of salt absorbed by the body.
Add other nutritious foods to enhance the nutritional value of the noodle dish
Nutritional balance is crucial for pregnant women. Therefore, when indulging in noodles, combining them with green vegetables, beef, eggs, etc., will not only enhance the flavor of the dish but also provide essential nutrients for the mother's health.
3.2. Some Notes on Pregnant Women Eating Instant Noodles
Recommended amount of noodles for pregnant women: It's advisable to consume a maximum of 1-2 times per week, with one packet per serving.
Pregnant women in the first trimester should avoid drinking the noodle broth: The habit of consuming all the broth after finishing the meal is common. However, this is not beneficial as harmful substances may still be present in the noodle broth.
It's advisable to rinse instant noodles before consumption.
Remove the oil packet from the noodle package: Not only in instant noodles but also in the oil packet, it's not beneficial for the body. Some believe that this oil packet may reduce the absorption of other nutrients. Therefore, replace them with common spices and adjust the flavor according to personal preference.
So, we all have the answer to whether pregnant women can eat instant noodles. If you ever feel cravings or want a quick meal with instant noodles, then follow the way to cook instant noodles for pregnant women that PasGo shares above!
Finally, don't forget to scroll down to the RELATED ARTICLES section to learn more about nutritional information for pregnant women.
