I will not be talking about Lead content/MSG controversy. That is all over the news/internet/social networks anyways. I will be talking only about what was known since the past 15 years or so.
Who doesn’t know what Maggi is? The soft noodles that satiate a quick hunger pang- loved by children and adults alike. If you have 2 minutes to spare, might as well cook up some Maggi, right? Whether it’s providing warmth while you gasp for air on your favourite hill station trek or comforting you when you need a homely reminder on your solo trip - Maggi always comes to the rescue.
But is it really safe? It is safe to eat Maggi? Pleasure and satisfying hunger is one thing and health is another. Anything delicious does not necessarily mean it is great for overall well being.
What Are Some Maggi Side Effects?
Discover the dark side of instant noodles, by reading the points below:
Atta and maggi
Maggi is made out of flour, which is popularly recognised as atta. Why is this not good for health? Flour has minimal nutritional value. It is also pretty low on essential vitamins, fiber and nutrients. Moreover, it is exceedingly high in carbohydrates and calories.
Preparing maggi
Maggi is made with water. Of course, everybody is aware of that. However, nobody speaks of the kaccha noodles in the maggi packet. Why is it important to discuss? Did you know these uncooked noodles are deep fried? This makes edible vegetable oil the second largest constituent of maggi. By this logic, as per food law, ingredients must be mentioned behind the packet in order of highest to lowest proportion. This is untrue for maggi packets. Don’t be fooled.
Sodium and maggi
High sodium levels in your body could cause conditions such as Hypernatremia whose symptoms result from brain function. The symptoms include but are not limited to seizures, coma, muscle twitching, confusion and even death. It’s scary! The sodium levels mentioned on maggi packets is 46% the amount of its daily requirement!
Trans fats and maggi
Maggi contains trans fats that are not the best fats to consume for a wholesome body. Moreover, trans fats take twice as long to be dissolved by the body as compared to saturated fats. Moreover, trans fats boost bad cholesterol in the body and reduce the effects of good cholesterol. Excessive consumption of trans fats can cause diabetes, heart conditions and nutritional deficiencies. So why include it at all? Manufacturers love this ingredient as it reduces the cost of the product. If you consume it, though, you’re paying a high price in terms of your health.
What about the dried vegetables in maggi?
Remember the healthier, vegetable version of maggi? It’s a hoax. These veggies are devoid of any nutrition and are dehydrated. Hence, you’re better off not adding these in the first place. Moreover, the process and steps of dehydration are unknown to us.
Women and maggi
Women who eat maggi about twice a week or more, have higher chances of grappling with metabolic syndrome.
HFCS and maggi
HFCS stands for High Fructose Corn Syrup which maggi contains. This syrup is not remotely similar to the ones produced biochemically by our respective bodies. Moreover, this is an industrial food product, far from its natural source, making it unhealthy for your body.
Acidity and maggi
Maggi contains citric acid that increases antioxidant activity in the body but it is not an antioxidant by itself. This ends up causing acidity and abdominal tract issues among individuals.
Maggi is processed
It is no secret that maggi is a processed product. Over time, medical experts have advised us that such food items must only be consumed occasionally. Under no circumstances should processed foods replace real meals. Fast-paced lifestyles force us to replace natural foods with fast foods. Do not fall prey to this and be watchful of what you eat.
Why is maggi addictive?
Did you consume a bowl of maggi and repeat this practice over the next few days as well? Ever felt like you cannot resist maggi? The high levels of monosodium glutamate or MSG may be responsible for this. In the year 2014, maggi was under scrutiny by various state governments for these exact reasons. Be a conscious consumer.
Maggi is delicious. Maggi is yummy. However, it is best to limit your intake of this ultimate snack if you want the best for your own well being. If you’re a mother, preparing maggi as a snack for your children or consuming maggi during pregnancy- it isn’t the best idea either. It won’t hurt to try healthier alternatives such as whole wheat noodles or zucchini noodles.
