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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU feeding my kid instant noodles several times a week

293 replies

cooknwithbaby · 20/04/2023 21:48

I had dinner with my DS and my mum saw we were eating instant noodles with chicken soup and extra vegetable I added. She shamed me about feeding my DS instant noodles, saying it was unhealthy.

It's easy for me to make and everybody likes eating it. DS has loved noodles since he was 6 months old. I cook it several times a week. But I usually make it a bit healthier with broccoli. Sometimes I add a fried egg.

AIBU by feeding my kid some instant noodles for dinner?

OP posts:
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7
PousseyNotMoira · 20/04/2023 23:59

EdithGrantham · 20/04/2023 22:01

My 20mo often has instant noodles, we make them with zero salt stock instead of the flavour sachet and add mixed veg and fish or chicken, the way I see it is it's just an alternative carb to pasta, bread or potatoes

Potatoes are actually very nutritious. So, I wouldn’t group them with processed carbs.

Most instant noodles have been deep fried which is what makes them cook ‘instantly’, and the types of oil they use are often high in saturated fat, so - even if you’re chucking the sodium bomb flavour packet - you might want to check the ingredients of the ones you’re feeding your DC. You’d probably be better off buying regular (non instant) noodles or just using pasta.

89redballoons · 21/04/2023 00:03

I give my kids a healthier version of this (at least I assume it's healthier, sure the MN police will be along in a minute to tell me I'm wrong). It is pretty quick and easy.

Stir fry veg like peas, mushrooms, red pepper, broccoli, sweetcorn, garlic. Meanwhile cook plain egg noodles. Make up a mug full of low salt chicken stock with half a stock cube - Kallo or similar brand. Mix everything together with a know of unsalted butter. Add in protein like cooked chicken or pork, cooked prawns or chopped hardboiled egg.

I have this with my 3 year old and 1 year old once every week or couple of weeks.

I guess the only thing that really makes it different from supernoodles is the salt content.

PousseyNotMoira · 21/04/2023 00:03

WandaWonder · 20/04/2023 22:55

Without the flavour sachet, the noodles themselves are not bad

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Most instant noodles have been deep fried which is what makes them cook ‘instantly’, and the types of oil they use are often high in saturated fat. So, they’re not great.

LangClegsInSpace · 21/04/2023 00:07

I love instant noodles. These are the best.

Several times a week is far too much though, especially for a young child.

AIBU feeding my kid instant noodles several times a week
PousseyNotMoira · 21/04/2023 00:08

baffledcoconut · 20/04/2023 23:20

Yes. Identical.

Most instant noodles have been deep fried which is what makes them cook ‘instantly’, and the types of oil they use are often high in saturated fat.

Pasta is just flour and water (dried) or flour, water and eggs. Regular (non ‘instant’) noodles and pasta are pretty much the same, though.

PousseyNotMoira · 21/04/2023 00:11

89redballoons · 21/04/2023 00:03

I give my kids a healthier version of this (at least I assume it's healthier, sure the MN police will be along in a minute to tell me I'm wrong). It is pretty quick and easy.

Stir fry veg like peas, mushrooms, red pepper, broccoli, sweetcorn, garlic. Meanwhile cook plain egg noodles. Make up a mug full of low salt chicken stock with half a stock cube - Kallo or similar brand. Mix everything together with a know of unsalted butter. Add in protein like cooked chicken or pork, cooked prawns or chopped hardboiled egg.

I have this with my 3 year old and 1 year old once every week or couple of weeks.

I guess the only thing that really makes it different from supernoodles is the salt content.

And the oil content and the assorted additives. Nothing alike at all, really.

What you make sounds like a really nice and well balanced meal!

PousseyNotMoira · 21/04/2023 00:14

Lachimolala · 20/04/2023 23:38

I make mine exactly like you would a chicken or beef stock. But I add star anise, cinnamon stick, fish sauce, soy sauce, lime, garlic and ginger etc. Gives it that sweet and savoury taste.

You can do it in a pressure cooker in next to no time if you can’t be bothered to wait around. I’ve never done it but that’s how my ex MIL (she was Chinese/Japanese) used to make hers!

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Your ex MIL was both Chinese and Japanese?

Kyse · 21/04/2023 00:19

This is nice if anyone wants an alternative
You can add in any leftovers too like shredded roast chicken or a few prawns, sweetcorn, anything really

https://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/diy-pot-noodles

PyongyangKipperbang · 21/04/2023 00:20

Why do I have a feeling that this is going to end up in one of the red top FB feeds in the next day or so "Shamed by my mum for feeding my kids instant noodles".

Not saying its been planted by them, not at all, not even a little bit........

PurplePineapple1 · 21/04/2023 00:24

I've got 'obesity', 'carbs', 'processed' and 'chemicals'. Not far off a full house.

Strawberrydelight78 · 21/04/2023 00:25

There's a lot of salt in the sachet flavourings. Wouldn't give them to a baby. Babies have died from consuming too much salt.

amp.theguardian.com/society/2011/aug/01/eight-month-babies-salt-research

JockTamsonsBairns · 21/04/2023 00:25

Kendodd · 20/04/2023 21:59

My kids (teens) love instant noodles. At least they always put loads of veg in as well.

Fuck. I've got 3 teens, and they wouldn't dream of adding veg to instant noodles.

I'm a failed parent.

Lachimolala · 21/04/2023 00:33

PousseyNotMoira · 21/04/2023 00:14

Your ex MIL was both Chinese and Japanese?

Show quote history

Yes why?

EmmaEmerald · 21/04/2023 00:35

PurplePineapple1 · 21/04/2023 00:24

I've got 'obesity', 'carbs', 'processed' and 'chemicals'. Not far off a full house.

what's missing? We've got salt too...

Beenhereforever1978 · 21/04/2023 00:36

Posted at nearly 10pm last night and not a dickie bird since?

Shocking. I'm shocked.

PyongyangKipperbang · 21/04/2023 00:37

A few weeks ago I had dinner all planned. Cant remember what it was but, what with my being so very organised, I had forgotten to take the key ingredient out of the freezer. So the kids had chicken nuggets and instant noodles. I tend to keep both in as they will do in an emergency.

DD (11) when I brought it in and said "sorry kids, its just noodles and nuggets" replied with "ooh fine dining!" IT was very funny and I said she was a sarcastic little cat (we thrive on sarcasm in our family) and she said that she was actually being serious because we dont havefood like that often enough. DS (17) agreed whole heartedly! Little sods clearly dont appreciate good healthy home cooked food and would get crap more often if it wasnt more expensive!

BadNomad · 21/04/2023 00:43

EmmaEmerald · 21/04/2023 00:35

what's missing? We've got salt too...

Show quote history

Diabetes

PousseyNotMoira · 21/04/2023 00:43

Lachimolala · 21/04/2023 00:33

Yes why?

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People generally aren’t referred to nationality/nationality, so thought I’d ask.

BadNomad · 21/04/2023 00:45

AndTheSurveySays · 20/04/2023 23:58

My mum used to give us toast with Super Noodles and melted cheese on top. Like a carby toast topper. It was divine

I love a noodle sandwich with grated cheese added.

You mean a diabetes sandwich with grated cholesterol!

Lachimolala · 21/04/2023 00:45

PousseyNotMoira · 21/04/2023 00:43

People generally aren’t referred to nationality/nationality, so thought I’d ask.

Show quote history

I just repeat exactly how she describes herself, she knows better than me after all!

BlackBarbies · 21/04/2023 00:49

Why would you set yourself up to get cooked like this?!

PyongyangKipperbang · 21/04/2023 00:54

BadNomad · 21/04/2023 00:45

You mean a diabetes sandwich with grated cholesterol!

Show quote history

Oh dont be so joyless! Unless a person is eating a sandwich like that for every single meal, who the hell cares?

I have an eating disorder, as does my sister, in part due to the fact that we were subjected to food guilt for years. It was second hand as my mother would eat a few biscuits and then be disgusted with herself and moan about her weight. She was never not on a diet.

I will not shame someone for having something they like occasionally. And before you mention it........no the obesity crisis is not because of some people occasionally having a pot noodle sandwich, its because of a lack of money, resources and knowledge on how to eat healthily day to to day.

BadNomad · 21/04/2023 01:02

PyongyangKipperbang · 21/04/2023 00:54

Oh dont be so joyless! Unless a person is eating a sandwich like that for every single meal, who the hell cares?

I have an eating disorder, as does my sister, in part due to the fact that we were subjected to food guilt for years. It was second hand as my mother would eat a few biscuits and then be disgusted with herself and moan about her weight. She was never not on a diet.

I will not shame someone for having something they like occasionally. And before you mention it........no the obesity crisis is not because of some people occasionally having a pot noodle sandwich, its because of a lack of money, resources and knowledge on how to eat healthily day to to day.

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Um I wasn't shaming anyone. I was replying to a poster who was quoting me about eating noodles on toast as a kid.

PyongyangKipperbang · 21/04/2023 01:03

BadNomad · 21/04/2023 01:02

Um I wasn't shaming anyone. I was replying to a poster who was quoting me about eating noodles on toast as a kid.

Show quote history

Unreserved apologies.

I either misunderstood or misquoted. Mea Culpa.

BadNomad · 21/04/2023 01:05

That's ok. Findus crispy pancakes sandwiches are also delicious fyi.