Healthier Ramen

By: Northwest Lynnie
Jul 31, 2006

My 80 year old mother loved instant ramen for their taste, price, and convenience. But when her health deteriorated, I researched ways to reduce sodium and cholesterol in the foods she enjoyed. I was shocked to find that the first 2 ingredients in the seasoning packet of chicken-flavored instant ramen were salt and MSG, and that sodium listed in nutrition facts was for only half of the package. So instead of 800 mg. of sodium, the package actually contained 1,600 mg.! MSG research on the National Library of Medicine database indicated MSG links to human diabetes, and there were dozens of MSG links to animal obesity and destruction of brain cells as well. The following recipe has no MSG in it and contains about 2/3 LESS sodium than commercial ramen packages. While the flavor enhancer, MSG, and the large amounts of sodium are what make the packages of noodles taste so good, this version is a decent substitute that you won't be afraid to eat or serve people you care about. COOK's NOTE: Because 1 tsp. of instant chicken bouillon granules contains 790 mg. of sodium, the nutrition facts listed on this recipe should read at least 395 mg. per serving.