The Worst Ultra-Processed Food You Should Never Eat When You’re Struggling With Chronic Bloating

Pre-Packaged Ramen Noodles

We've all been there: You're hungry, you're low on money, and you don't have the energy to cook yourself a nutritious meal... so you opt for cheap, easy, delicious Ramen noodles. While this highly processed food may have a reputation for being a college student staple, any demographic may indulge in them. But unfortunately, Richards warns that if you're eating pre-packaged Ramen noodles on a regular basis, you may be putting your body at risk—especially when it comes to your gut health.

"This pasta is highly processed and inflammatory which can lead to gut dysbiosis and bloating," she warns. When your body experiences gut dysbiosis, there is an overgrowth of bad bacteria in your gut, and you may experience a range of digestive issues, like bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and cramping. The high sodium content of this food is another major culprit of bloating, as excess salt in your body leads causes water retention.

Other health effects of Ramen noodles

But it isn't just digestion that packaged noodles can affect; they're overall a terrible choice for your health. "These meals may have been a good source of calories in your twenties, but after the age of 40 you should reconsider making them a regular part of your diet," Richards emphasizes. "It is fully understood that these meals are full of sodium, which can cause inflammation, bloating, high blood pressure, abdominal fat, and other health concerns." Yikes!

Additionally, the fact that Ramen noodles are extremely low in nutrients and high in calories sets you up for weight gain over time. They don't make for a satiating meal, which means that not only will they be loading you up with calories, but you'll also experience more cravings and hunger later in the day. "You will find that you are hungry soon after eating, which will leave you eating again and likely overeating on calories overall," Richards says.

If you can't kick your noodle habit altogether, though, there are plenty of other, healthier options to choose from, including soba noodles, whole wheat pasta, and even "zoodles," a.k.a. noodles made from zucchini. Of course, if you're really in a pinch and need to resort to Ramen every now and then, it won't kill you—but you may run into bloating after eating them. Overall, it's important to limit your intake of processed foods like this in order to keep your body has healthy as possible.