Maggi Calories, Health Benefits & Nutritional Fact
When thinking about a quick, easy to prepare comfort food, Maggi tops the list for many. This flavourful dish has been the favorite food for years for people of all age groups. However, when consuming Maggi it's important to stay well informed about how many calories it has and the adverse effects of overconsumption to enjoy it in moderation.
Maggi is calorie dense, made with refined wheat flour which doesn't make a good food choice. However, it can be consumed occasionally with the addition of lots of vegetables. When looking to lose weight, suffering from Diabetes, PCOS, Hypothyroidism, and other health issues, it's better to avoid Maggi and opt for other whole grain noodle options like wheat, ragi, oats..
Maggi noodles Nutrition Facts
One medium cup (200gms) of maggi noodles has 285 kcal. It’s a combination of refined carbohydrates, loaded with sodium.
Maggi nutrition value (200gms = 1 medium size cup)
Maggi noodles calories (200gms) = 285 kcal
Nutrients |
Amount |
Carbohydrates |
42.3 g |
Fiber |
2.4 g |
Protein |
5.3 g |
Fat |
10.5 g |
Sodium |
821.3 mg |
Refined wheat flour is the major component used in the manufacturing of maggi. The additional salt content has always been a point of concern in packaged foods due to its ability to spike blood pressure resulting in hypertension. One must avoid consuming it, because of the adverse effects it could have on health.
Other noodles varieties
There are a variety of noodles available in the market, ranging from varied flavors with the addition of chicken, egg and so many different ingredients. The noodles market has become very competitive today with new brands emerging.
Below is the list of the varieties of noodles:
Type of noodles |
Calories in medium size cup (200gms) |
Egg noodles |
391 kcal |
Prawns noodles |
365 kcal |
Chicken noodles |
400 kcal |
Knorr soupy noodles |
207 kcal |
Chicken Manchurian noodles |
496 kcal |
When talking about any particular dish and its calories, it's very important to understand the source of calories, and the ingredients that are contributing to the calorie count of the dish. The calories coming from simply maida are non-nutritive, whereas the calories coming from chicken present in chicken noodles contribute to a good amount of protein and essential minerals.
Ways to Burn Off Calories After Consuming Maggi
Choosing the activity of choice helps to maintain consistency and aid in weight loss. Here are a few activities that effectively help one burn calories post-consumption of Maggi:
- Brisk walk: Brisk walking is an effective way to burn calories. The amount of calories burned will depend on the pace of walking, on an average it will help burn 100 – 150 calories per mile
- Running: This helps in burning more calories in a shorter period of time. It can help one burn about 300 – 500 calories in 30 minutes.
- Cycling: Cycling is an enjoyable way of burning calories. Depending on the speed and surface texture, inclination, one can burn 200 – 300 calories in 30 mins.
- Swimming: It helps to exercise all the parts of the body effectively. It can even be done by people who have foot problems or are unable to walk for long since it doesn't put much pressure on the body parts. Individuals burn around 200 – 400 calories in 30 mins.
- Household chores: Activities like sweeping, swapping, gardening, washing vessels, clothes helps burn calories effectively.
Adverse Effects of Overconsumption of Maggi
Maggi is a packaged food, loaded with preservatives, additives, sodium and so much more that has adverse effects on health. The primary ingredient in making of maggi is maida (refined wheat flour) which is known to have so many detrimental effects on body weight, blood glucose levels, and blood pressure to name a few. Below are some adverse effects discussed in detail:
- Weight gain: Overconsumption of Maggi daily leads to an increase in body fat percentage and unwanted weight gain. Excess of sodium also causes water retention leads to bloating and many other digestive issues.
- Hypertension: Excess consumption of sodium is the primary cause of hypertension. A single packet of Maggi has a lot of additional salts and preservatives leading to a spike in blood pressure
- Digestive issues: Maggi lacks fiber and whole grains which results in digestive issues like indigestion, constipation, and bloating
- Metabolic Syndrome: Overconsumption of Maggi puts one at risk of developing metabolic syndrome which includes obesity, high blood pressure, high blood glucose levels and deranged lipid profile
- Diabetes: Excessive consumption of foods made with refined wheat flour leads to a spike in blood glucose levels. Daily intake of maggi adds to a calorie surplus which makes one obese. Obesity is a major factor contributing to insulin resistance which is the leading cause of Diabetes today.
Conclusion
Knowing about the calories of Maggi and the ingredients used in its preparation, it should definitely be avoided on a daily basis. Occasionally it can be consumed with the addition of lots of vegetables, shredded chicken, or grated paneer which will provide some fiber and protein. There are several varieties of noodles available today like oats noodles, whole wheat noodles, ragi noodles which serve as a better swap for Maggi.
Author:
Sidra Patel
Nutritionist & Lifestyle Consultant
Founder: Eating Smart with Sidra Patel
www.eatingsmart.in