AIBU feeding my kid instant noodles several times a week

[cooknwithbaby]

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?

Noodles =ok
Highly processed seasoning in packet = not ok

Make your own broth with vegetables and protein, add plain noodles (which are cheaper, I buy from lidl) then it's fine

I keep a tub in my freezer for carrot or onion peelings, meat trimmings or bones, tomatoes that are over ripe (rare!). Then when I have a big pot full I defrost them, put them in the stock pot and cover with water, and simmer for an hour or so. Sieve then strain through a J-cloth.

Put in tubs and freeze until stock is needed. I sometimes reduce it down a bit first, then freeze smaller portions, if the freezer is a bit full.

With the greatest of respect to both you and the OP if she's the kind of person who uses instant noodles on a semi-regular basis I don't imagine she's going to follow your lead on this.

OP they're a bit rubbish of course but given how widely they are sold in Asian supermarkets/Kenji etc I'm assuming they're incredibly popular with lots of people who seemingly make it to adulthood. Personally I quite like them as a quick WFH lunch and not always with heaps of added veg...

I thought you meant pot noodles at first.
Although reading this, maybe they're not much worse.

I'm with them, ruins them if you put veg in. 😁
I used to work with someone who would pick the peas and corn out of her Pot Noodle, I wouldn't go that far though.

I think the sauce is probably salty, sugary and so on. Youdchave to check the label.

You can get plain noodles that cook in 4 mins to add to soups and with your egg and broccoli etc.

Nope, not good. I had to live on these and some other cheap non fibre travesties while cleansing for a colonoscopy (before the actual clean out phase). That stuff has zero nutritional value and leaves you hungry again soon after eating it.

Are we talking about pot noodle type things? If so that is not a meal and not ok to feed your children as dinner, especially several times a week. If they like noodles then all supermarkets offer stir fry kits with fresh vegetables and noodles and are very easy to cook.

Love how the literally worst healthcare system in the world is reverently quoted by mumsnet mums. For fucks sake they kill hundreds of people a day! Surely everyone should look for actually credible and professional sources 🙄are graveyards full.of children who sometimes had something that was not joyless?

@EdithGrantham The NHS recommends not giving only wholegrain carb options to under 5s actually

They say not only simply because they’re quite filling and under 5s need a balanced diet. That is all.

Wow you gave your 6 month old instant noodles?

Your mum is right. I'm partial to a packet of instant noodles as a very occasional naughty treat and make it into a soup with some sort of protein, veg etc, but they are an ultra-processed food that really isn't good for you. I don't know if it's an urban myth or true but I've also heard that they stay in your gut for some time and don't digest properly. And the salt content is off the scale. I always wake up with massive eye bags the next day after eating instant noodles. And they don't taste of anything by themselves so you have to add the flavour packet and/or soy sauce & other sauces which are also full of salt and sugar!

Sorry for the pearl clutching but I honestly can't believe people are feeding them to babies and toddlers! 😱

I understand how a person can be two nationalities. People generally aren’t referred to as nationality/nationality, however. So I asked. The poster responded and we moved on.

Then you rock up, clearly ‘looking for something to pick on’. Kindly piss off.

If you're cooking veg why not cook fresh noodles? There not exactly cordon bleu skill? Or is it money?

Depends what you mean by insta noodles. That's what I call the noodles you get in the stir fry section in the fridge at the supermarket. I wouldn't see giving those as any different to pasta.

If it’s just dried noodles with nothing added then it’s fine, it’s like pasta.

If it’s Instant Ramen/Pot Noodles with the flavour sachets and crazy salt content then YABU (sorry) - even for an adult.

Yikes!

https://hie.keckmedicine.org/blog/is-your-ramen-ruining-your-health/#:~:text=Even%20after%20two%20hours%2C%20your,in%20lacquers%20and%20pesticide%20products.

I see no issue with it, I have them often (they're a hyperfocus food), sometimes with the flavour pack, though usually not and with my own seasonings, and veg thrown in. They're great and the texture of them is much nicer than egg noodles or rice noodles. Surely the noodles themselves are made similarly to pasta? Water, flour and oil? I know some brands add extra bits but IIRC Tesco and lidl own brand both have a simple ingredients list for the noodles themselves.

Yikes is right!

My children have definitely bought and eaten these.

I have bought them too for them several times over the years.

Never again.

Anyone else picturing a pot noodle or super noodles covered in soup with veg on the side. Sounds rank and I'll eat any old shit

It’s not healthy, but I see no reason why you can’t have it once per week. With busy lifestyles it’s just not practical/possible to cook home made, nutritious, balanced meals EVERY night of the week. My kids have a cooked dinner or healthy lunchbox every day at school and then we often have afterschool clubs/sports in the evening, so need to make something super quick for supper. On swimming day when we get in really late I’ll sometimes do instant noodles with added fresh veg, or beans on toast etc. I think that’s totally acceptable on one quick evening a week, as long as the other nights are balanced out with healthier meals…….. And a whole lot better than the crap my parents microwaved/cooked from the freezer when I was a kid in the 80s!

Although should add - instant noodles never for a 6 month old! The salt content is way too high for a baby. But for an older child, I’d say fine once per week as a treat.

Just learn how to make a couple of sauces to stir into plain noodles with meat & veg. I picked up a lovely peanut butter recipe for one on the internet - takes seconds.

I agree with your mothers for a 6m old that's really bad. There's lots of noodles that you can cook in under 10min. While you are preparing the veg that can be done and ready at the same time?

Instant Noodle is Seriously Real Crap Junk food

Absolutely virtually no nutrition value whatever ..

There's plenty of healthier options food wise out there @cooknwithbaby

You could even buy a slow cooker and cook comfort healthier nutritious foods on a budget in that aswell.

Instant noodles that are cheap are cheap for a reason. They aren’t good for anyone. You can though make something similar by making your own noodles with north and veggies. It works out to be cheaper per serving if you make a big batch (I worked out the maths once) and a lot healthier.