Dangers of Eating Instant Noodles Too Often in Children
Dangers of Eating Instant Noodles Too Often in Children – Instant noodles are often children’s favorite food because they taste delicious and have a chewy texture. However, giving instant noodles too often is not good. Because, the dangers of eating instant noodles too often are many.
Dangers of Eating Instant Noodles Too Often in Children
roskapital – Basically, neither homemade nor packaged noodles are safe to give to children. When they eat, they can choke.
However, children are still encouraged to consume more nutritious foods, rather than consuming instant noodles. Because instant noodles contain very little.
In general, on average, one serving of instant noodles has the following nutritional content:
- 385 kcal calories
- 14.5 grams total fat
- 6.5 grams of saturated fat
- 55.7 carbs
- 7.9g protein
- 986 mg sodium
From the content above, it can be seen that noodles are low in calories, protein and fiber. However, it is high in sodium, fat, and carbohydrates.
Dangers of Eating Instant Noodles for Children
In general, in the process of making instant noodles there is a mixture of chemicals. Some of them are sodium polyphosphate (thickener, stabilizer and emulsifier), tartrazine (yellow color) and many others.
Well, the chemical content is not good if consumed too often by children. The dangers if consumed too often by children are as follows.
1. Instant noodles do not have complete nutritional content
Instant noodles are often called junk food by many nutritionists. The reason is, most of it is made from maida or processed flour.
Foods with such a composition do not have healthy nutritional value because they do not contain essential minerals and vitamins. Apart from that, the protein and fiber content in noodles is also low.
The only high levels in noodles are sodium, carbohydrates and fat. If children consume too much, these three ingredients are not good for their health.
2. Contains trans fat.
So that instant noodles last a long time, the process of making them is first steamed and then fried in oil.
However, it is precisely this process that determines the trans fat content. This trans fat content can cause children to gain weight quickly.
Weight gain is good. However, the danger of eating instant noodles too often is that obesity can occur, especially in those who do not balance their menu with various other healthy foods.
Obesity can cause hormonal imbalances, increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, can cause heart and lung disease, bone growth, and metabolic syndrome.
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3. Contains propylene glycol
Instant noodles require propylene glycol to retain moisture in them. Unfortunately, the chemical content can be high risk for children.
Propylene glycol can accumulate in the kidneys, liver and heart, so that in the long term it can damage these organs.
4. Can disrupt the digestive system
Apart from that, the danger of eating instant noodles every day is that it can disrupt the digestive process. Children are also at risk of leaky gut, constipation and bloating.
The reason is that in the digestive process, food really needs lots of nutrients and minerals. Meanwhile, instant noodles only contain these two ingredients in very small amounts.
Apart from that, consuming noodles can also interfere with the process of absorbing nutrients. The TBHQ (tertiary-butyl hydroquinone) content in instant noodle preservatives is difficult to digest.
In fact, within two hours, the stomach cannot digest this oil-based preservative. In fact, children at that age really need high nutrition.
5. Children are susceptible to liver disease.
Instant noodles can also cause liver disease. The reason is, the treatment process is so long that it is difficult to describe.
Of course, if a child eats noodles too often, his liver can become overloaded and eventually fat accumulates in his cells. This accumulation of fat causes liver damage.
If the liver is damaged and liver function is impaired, swelling and fluid retention will occur.
6. Can cause hypertension
Another danger of frequently eating instant noodles is that blood pressure becomes high. This is because the salt content in it is very high. This exceeds the child’s daily need for salt and sodium.
Even if you are still a child, the possibility of developing hypertension is not impossible. The CDC reports that one in six children aged 8 to 17 suffer from high blood pressure.
Of course, high blood pressure also has significant risks to heart health, because it can cause stroke and heart disease.
7. Can make children more hyperactive
Instant noodles contain various additional ingredients, such as artificial colors and preservatives. The content of this additive is not good if consumed too often by children.
Allergist Benjamin Feingold said preservatives and artificial colorings can affect a child’s behavior. Both of these substances are linked to behavioral disorders, such as ADHD.
However, because there are still differences of opinion among experts, further research is still needed regarding the dangers of using additives on children’s tendency to become more hyperactive.
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8. Children should not miss school lessons
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Children need adequate nutrition for their growth and development. Meanwhile, the nutritional content of instant noodles is very low.
Most of the calories in instant noodles come from fat, carbohydrates and protein. With these ingredients, they only provide an “empty and intact” effect, without any nutritional contribution such as minerals and vitamins.
If mineral and vitamin needs are not met, brain function cannot function optimally. As a result, children can drop out of school.
9. Has a high salt content
The high salt content in instant noodles also has a negative impact on kidney function. If children eat noodles too often, it can cause a buildup of fluid and sodium in the body.
This can obviously cause fluid to build up around the lungs and heart. Apart from that, it can also cause swelling of the legs.
Apart from that, some packets of instant noodles also contain bisphenol A (BPA). The chemical content can affect a child’s brain development and disrupt hormone function.
10. Contains MSG
Instant noodles are delicious. To add taste, instant noodles contain MSG (monosodium glutamate).
Basically, MSG content is safe if consumed in moderate amounts. However, if consumed in large quantities it will have a bad impact on health. Excessive MSG consumption can cause obesity, hypertension, nausea and headaches.
Even worse, in adults, consuming too much MSG can cause brain cells to swell and die.
11. Reducing the quality of diet
Children who consume instant noodles generally experience a decrease in their intake of calcium, protein, iron, phosphorus, and vitamin A and vitamin C.