I never pictured myself as a ramen lover. After years in the fitness industry, I was a bit noodle-phobic (recovering from an irrational fear of carbs, like many women). However, my kids fell in love with ramen during my hubby’s deployment last year. I can’t quite remember how we started the tradition, but we went out for Ramen almost every Friday night during his year long absence. That’s a LOT of Ramen, which is why I came up with these 5 easy healthy ramen hacks for eating ramen out OR making it at home.
Health Hacks for Ramen
Like I mentioned, Ramen gets a bad rep because it’s “all carbs”…. but, a savvy dieter can make this delicious Japanese dish work for them. Being healthy is about the BIG PICTURE, and “good nutrition” is about the BIG PICTURE. Carbs aren’t really bad – they just need to be balanced with other things.
If you don’t understand what the big picture is for your own unique body and life, that’s a good place to start. Every person is different and you can figure that out what will work for YOU using my program Your Daily Journal. Once you’ve got that covered, read on for my 5 easy healthy ramen hacks.
Tip #1
Ask for a kid-sized portion of noodles in an adult-sized bowl – this cuts carbs and calories. Noodles are calorie-dense, so swapping some of them out for “other things” will help you stray trim while still enjoying the dish and satisfying your hunger.
Note: Depending on your goals, calorie needs and exercise habits – you may not need to swap any noodles out at all!
Tip #2
Choose a lean protein topping. Most places let you choose one protein (chicken, tofu or pork typically) and a few “extra” toppings. So pick that protein and then make one of your “extra” toppings an egg, to boost your protein quota.
Tip #3
As you use the rest of your optional toppings, make two of your “other” toppings a veggie. I do mountain veggies and pickled ginger. My son orders dried Nori seaweed and spinach. My daughter adds fresh spring mix to hers.
Tip #4
If you like spicy stuff, try a spicy broth. I always get the spicy Tonkotsu ramen at my neighborhood spot. The spiciness has two benefits: first, spicy food has been shown to cut down on appetite. Second, the spice means you drink a lot of water… which helps you feel full and satisfied. Water is also super good for you!
Tip #5
Enjoy the meal. Eat slowly. Make your ramen experience about enjoying time and conversation with your loved ones.
What’s your favorite Ramen broth??? Leave a comment below and let me know. Check out my blog at LaurenChante.Com for other recipes and fitness ideas. You can also catch me on Instagram and Facebook.