Good diet, good health

Author: Peng Shuquan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features:
4. Frequently Eating Instant Noodles
Instant noodles are beloved by people for their convenience, whether for travel by car or for a quick lunch, they offer great ease. However, some people eat them frequently in large quantities, which is not appropriate. As a popular mass food, fried instant noodles have nutritional limitations, and long-term consumption can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Surveys and analyses by research departments indicate that 60% of long-term instant noodle consumers suffer from malnutrition, 54% suffer from iron-deficiency anemia, 20% lack vitamin B2, 23% lack vitamin A, and 20% lack zinc. Eating instant noodles can sometimes also bring trouble. Japan once experienced a nationwide food poisoning incident involving dozens of victims. Investigations revealed that the cause of the poisoning was that the fried instant noodles consumed by the victims were stored for too long at high temperatures and exposed to strong sunlight before being sold, causing the oils to oxidize and deteriorate, producing toxic substances. Scientific research confirms that when oils react with oxygen in the air, they generate various harmful substances such as peroxides and epoxides. Under high-temperature storage and exposure to ultraviolet sunlight, the oxidation reaction of oils accelerates when moisture and other impurities are mixed, further breaking down oil peroxides into toxic aldehydes and ketones. When people eat these oxidized fried instant noodles, they may suffer from poisoning. Additionally, if the packaging bags of instant noodles are not tightly sealed, broken, or damp, they are prone to mold, spoilage, and infestation by insects. Improper storage or transportation can also lead to contamination by pathogenic bacteria or toxic substances. Eating such instant noodles can harm health. Therefore, instant noodles should be bought and consumed as needed, with storage time not being too long, and they should not have a "rancid" taste. Special attention should be paid to the fact that instant noodles are not suitable for long-term consumption, especially for elderly people with poor digestive function and children who are growing and developing, as prolonged consumption may lead to malnutrition. If, due to special circumstances, someone needs to consume instant noodles for an extended period, they should pay attention to supplementing high-quality protein, such as lean meat, fresh eggs, aquatic products, seafood, and animal organs, which are rich in protein, vitamins, and trace elements. Additionally, fresh vegetables and fruits should be consumed to supplement sufficient vitamins and plant fiber. Special attention should be given to dietary nutrition balance, avoiding the habit of only eating instant noodles, so that one can enjoy the "convenience" of instant noodles while also obtaining rich nutrition. P29-30