Maggi has only recently been deemed unsafe yet again in India, for the second time. After it made a comeback since its last brush with the recall drama over food safety, it was greeted with polite enthusiasm, while many maintained the stance that the country’s favorite instant noodle had lost most of its charm. On the whole, however, most people heaved a sigh of relief to have their favorite instant hunger remedy back on the shelves, and pregnant woman felt safe eating the noodles again. But now that Maggi is coming under the radar once more, the question of its safety for the consumption of pregnant women is again on the forefront.
Very little nutrition
First of all, let us consider what the benefits of Maggi are. To be very frank and fair, it is unlikely that you will be getting anything nearing considerable nutrition from a pack of instant noodles, Maggi or not. These are processed and packaged goods, meant to be cooked instantly and stay on the shelf for long periods. The smattering of vegetables or meat in the packets are incredibly tiny, and they are filled to the brim with trans-fats and unhealthy oils. In short, it is difficult to find anything to say in favor of the nutritional advantages of Maggi.
But it’s convenient
On the other hand, it cannot be denied that Maggi is extremely convenient. Most women nowadays have a career to focus on, in addition to household responsibilities, and it gets only more difficult to manage when you are pregnant. Maggi is pretty much a savior when you are pressed for time and much cook up something filling. Besides, it can be cooked in literally a couple of minutes, which makes it an instant fix for the frequent hunger pangs and cravings a pregnant woman will definitely get. And if you love Chinese food, it is likely that you will get a craving for them more than usual during your pregnancy, and Maggi is the closest thing you can get our hands on at a moment’s notice.
The MSG debate
However, Maggi has come under the radar for containing monosodium glutamate, or MSG as it is commonly called. Now the jury is out regarding its potential effects on the health of the pregnant and non-pregnant population alike, but it has often been linked to nervous disorders. On the other hand, MSG is a common ingredient in many South East Asian cuisines, and the children in those countries are not born with any ore disorders than any other part of the world. However, since we do not know how exactly this affects us, it is best to keep its consumption to a minimum.
Weight issues
Yet another major concern with Maggi is that it contains a considerable amount of trans fats and unhealthy oils, and excessive consumption of the same can lead to a lot of weight gain and high cholesterol levels. Needless to say, this is not healthy at any time of your life, and especially dangerous when you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant.
Also read: Can I eat KFC while pregnant?
It is important to understand that there is really no harm in eating a bit of Maggi now and then during your pregnancy, and harm will only come your way if you overindulge in the stuff. That is true for the healthiest of foods, and even more so for Maggi. Eat in moderation, maybe a single helping a month, and you will be alright.