Noodles have a long history in China. The "Zhu Bing" of the Eastern Han Dynasty and the "Tang Bing" of the Wei and Jin Dynasties were among the earliest names for noodles. Noodles are not only an economical staple food to fill the stomach, but also a fine dish that can grace any elegant table.
Noodles are best eaten at noon
Noodles are rich in carbohydrates, providing sufficient energy. During the cooking process, they absorb a large amount of water; 100 grams of uncooked noodles become 400 grams after being cooked, thus creating a strong sense of fullness. Furthermore, noodles can stimulate mental activity. The human brain and nervous system require foods where carbohydrates account for 50%, and noodles are such a beneficial ingredient. Durum wheat contains B vitamins, which have a stimulating effect on brain cells. Therefore, having a bowl of nutritionally balanced noodles at noon is a good choice. Generally, one should eat foods with higher protein content in the morning, and eating noodles at night is not conducive to digestion and absorption. Eating noodles at noon aligns with the Chinese saying, "Eat well in the morning, eat your fill at noon, and eat less in the evening."
Noodles do not make you fat
Every 150 grams of cooked noodles contain 1 gram of fat, 7 grams of protein, and 40 grams of carbohydrates, with a calorie count of 180 kcal. Compared to some high-calorie, high-fat foods, it is not a fatty food. Because many studies have shown that slowly digested carbohydrates can increase satiety, noodles are particularly filling. Therefore, consuming a moderate amount of noodles daily does not pose a risk of weight gain.
The more chewy the noodle, the more nutritious it is
Due to differences in wheat flour, the texture of the resulting noodles varies. Generally, noodles that are more chewable contain more protein and can better supplement the nutrients the body needs. Of course, the production process can also lead to differences in noodle texture. For example, in the north, salt is often added to "rest" the dough to make it chewier, and this process does not destroy the nutritional value of the noodles.
Noodles are best eaten warm
Noodles can be prepared in a rich variety of ways, and one should not eat them too cold or too hot just for the sake of a cool or stimulating sensation. Very hot noodles can damage the esophagus, while very cold noodles are not conducive to digestion and absorption. Eating a bowl of warm noodles is the most suitable.
The original soup helps digest the original food
There is a saying in traditional dining, "The original soup helps digest the original food." After eating noodles, dumplings, or tangyuan (sweet rice balls), people traditionally drink some of the original broth. From a nutritional perspective, this saying has some merit. When cooking starchy foods, starch from the surface dissolves into the soup. When heated to 100°C, the starch granules break down into dextrin, which aids in food digestion. Moreover, noodle soup contains digestive enzymes that are not destroyed during the cooking process and can also help with digestion. Therefore, drinking the original broth can help reduce indigestion.
Choosing noodles according to your body type
When eating noodles, one should not be influenced by habit alone, but should choose according to the season and one's body type to enjoy the delicious food while ensuring health. For people who often socialize and drink, a bowl of Yangchun noodles after drinking is ideal, as it not only sobers them up but also nourishes the stomach and replenishes the body. Moreover, because Yangchun noodles have a light flavor, they are suitable for the elderly and children. The preparation of Lanzhou pulled noodles has regional reasons. Beef is said to replenish qi and expel cold, and it is paired with seasonings like raw scallions, raw garlic, and coriander, making it rich in flavor and oil. Thus, it is believed to nourish yin, strengthen the kidneys, and build the body, making it more suitable for people who are weak or have breathing difficulties, and it can also help combat fatigue. Winter is the best season to eat Lanzhou pulled noodles. Zhajiangmian is a characteristic food from Beijing, made by mixing noodles with vegetable toppings and fried soybean paste. Among the various flavored noodles, Zhajiangmian has the most balanced nutritional profile. Because of the difference in preparation, knife-cut noodles are harder and less digestible, so young people can try them more, while the elderly should not eat them too often. When eating knife-cut noodles, instead of the traditional sauce, one can add some shredded chicken, shredded pork, green pepper, and carrots to balance the nutrition. In autumn and winter, shredded cucumber and radish can also be added; cucumber is believed to reduce internal heat, while radish can relieve coughs, ease asthma, and alleviate dryness.