What is Maggie?
Maggie – a popular brand name owned by Nestle. However, for you and me, it is love. But still everyone is curious to know if maggie is healthy or not. It is one of those instant food which everyone crave. It is incredibly tasty, hard to resist and easy to make. For vegetarians who live out in Western countries, Maggie is a lifesaver. For, those who don’t know how to cook but stay far away from their guardians, Maggie is a saver. For people who are running late for work, Maggie is the food. At some point in life, Maggie was, is or will be your life saver too. It has become a vital food. Everyone loves to have it from foodies to non-foodies, teenagers to old age people, non-working to working and no one can deny the fact. Besides, Maggie is heavenly tastiest food to have once in a while, isn’t it?
Then why are you searching for questions like is Maggie healthy, even when you know it is your comfort food? The only answer to this question is that deep down in our minds we are aware of the fact that Maggie is lacking in some aspects.
Maggie is healthy or not?
First, let us understand what is maggie made up of. According to Nestlé India Ltd. Noodles: Refined Wheat Flour (Maida), Palm Oil, Wheat Gluten, Iodised Salt, etc. Among them, Refined Wheat Floor is the most unhealthy constituent. Refined Wheat Floor also known as ‘the glue of the gut’ leads to obesity, constipation and digestion-related issues. It is hard to digest in our body and stays in our gut for a longer time. Eventually leading to blockage or congestion. Also, it has no nutritional value in it. Furthermore, Palm Oil present in it has unsaturated fats which can lead to bad cholesterol. In the long term, this bad cholesterol can convert into chronic heart disease. That is why, nowadays people do have lots of heart-related issues.
Maggie Controversy
Are you aware of the 2015 controversy about Maggie? Let us take a look at it. The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) declared all 9 approved variants of Maggie as harmful and hazardous for human health after receiving some complaints and tests. Maggie has alleged the presence of high levels of MSG(monosodium glutamate) and lead. On 6 June, the central government of India banned it for an indefinite period. After many trials, tests and scrutiny, Maggie is now back at selves. Nestle India worked hard to gain the trust back and Maggie again ruled over people’s hearts.
Alternative of maggie
Now we are aware of why Maggie is unhealthy but for survival, something is necessary to be eaten in emergency cases similar to Maggie. There are some healthy alternatives are also present in the market like rice noodles, atta maggie, etc. Now as I have suggested Atta Maggie is better than Maggie, so you might be thinking what is the difference between them? Both are Maggie. How can one of them be healthy meanwhile the other is unhealthy? Let us understand.
Atta Maggie
Atta Maggie was introduced by Nestle India as the market was demanding a healthier option of Maggie without compromising health, time and taste. People with time, become more and more health conscious which makes them aware of their eating habits and products. So, Nestle India launched Atta Maggie (a healthy version of Maggie), which is made up of whole grain flour instead of refined flour (maida) which was used while making classic Maggie. That is how customer demand was addressed by the company and continued to stay as a best seller of Instant Noodles in India.
Is Atta Maggiie healthy or not?
Yes, Atta Maggie is made up of whole wheat flour (atta), edible vegetable oil, salt, wheat gluten, preservatives etc. It is comparatively healthier than the classic Maggie. The branding and marketing of Atta Maggie also promote it as a delicious and healthier alternative. Eighty per cent of the atta maggie consists of atta( wheat flour). Whole wheat flour is rich in fibre,
vitamins and minerals in it. The fibre present in it is helpful for maintaining blood sugar levels and also promotes better digestion. Despite Atta Maggie also consisting of preservatives and sodium amount in it which are bad for health it is fine to have Atta Maggie, once in a while terms of nutrient richness – Atta Maggie ranks higher. For digestive health and blood sugar levels again, Atta Maggie is better. If we compare Regular Maggie with Atta Maggie then it is safe to say Atta Maggie is way better than a normal one.
Additional Tips
- Add some vegetables or proteins to enhance its nutritious value.
- Don’t eat Maggie on a regular basis or very frequently.
- Opt for a healthier version of Maggie like Atta Maggie
- Always read labels on packaging before purchasing any processed food.
- Try to reduce sodium from it by using less seasoning and adding your own spices.
Conclusion
No doubt, Maggie is super tasty and easy to prepare food but at the cost of your health, it is not worth it. Atta maggie can be part of your eating habits if consumed thoughtfully like by adding some vegetables, and proteins in it. Atta Maggie is healthier than regular ones because it does contain a good amount of fibre. However, it also contains preservatives and high levels of sodium. So, one should limit their frequency of consuming Maggie. Always remember ‘moderation is the key’. Consumption of maggie is fine if it is consumed moderately but overconsumption can even lead to weight gain. So, the next time you want to have instant noodles then go for a healthier version which is atta maggie, without. Don’t forget to read the nutritional information on it. Also if you want 1 packet of Maggie then add at least 1 cup of vegetables in it. These small changes in your life today like picking an atta Maggie instead of a regular Maggie, can make your life healthy tomorrow. Just choose wisely, think about how can make it healthier, try it according to your body’s needs and have the most heavenly taste in the world.
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Loved it !!!❤️