Here are some recipes to make your instant foods a little bit healthier

If you're someone who likes to consume instant foods such as pancit canton and canned goods on an everyday basis, medical professionals are asking you to slow down a little bit and reflect as these ultra-processed foods have their own detrimental effects.

Dr. Oyieo Balburias, a resident doctor of Pinoy MD, explains, “Instant foods kasi napakataas ng asin kasi ginagamit ang asin dito as preservatives at ginagamit din syang taste enhancer. Ang problema dito dahil sa processing na pinagdaanan nila, nawawala nga ang sustansya ng instant foods.”

Research has shown that one pack of instant noodles contains 1,700 mg of sodium. Our Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of it is around 2,300 mg only. Although it still hasn't reached the quota, consuming it on a daily basis could further heighten the effects.

But we get it that these instant foods are more convenient and accessible, especially for those who are always on the go and have little to no time to make food. Dr. Oyieo says that consuming instant foods once or, at most, twice a week is already more than enough.

One way to go about it is to mix it with healthy vegetables that can counter its effect. Elixir Patrick Javier, a chef and online food content creator, thought of recipes to elevate and somehow make your instant foods a bit healthier.

Cabbage roll

Ingredients:

1 can of corned beef, cabbage, green onion, tomato sauce, garlic, onion, and eggs

Procedure:

1. In a bowl, mix all of your ingredients.

2. Wrap the mixture in a cabbage roll.

3. Tie the cabbage roll using the spring onions.

4. In a pan, saute garlic, onion, tomato sauce, and sugar.

5. Add your cabbage roll to the pan and let it simmer for 5 minutes.

Yakisoba

Ingredients:

Eggs, garlic, onions, cabbage, carrots, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and 2 packs of instant pancit canton

Procedure:

1. In a pot, boil your noodles.

2. On the side, mix oyster sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, and pepper in a bowl.

3. In a pan, sauté garlic, onions, and carrots.

4. Add your sliced cabbage.

5. Once cooked, add your instant noodles and yakisoba sauce.

6. Mix for the flavors to seep and then serve.

Although these recipes somehow change the way we consume our favorite instant foods, Dr. Oyieo states, “Ang pagdagdag ng whole or real na mga pagkain doon sa instant foods, masasagot ang kakulangan ng instant foods which is kakulangan ng sustansya pero hindi nito matatanggal yung epekto ng instant noodles lalo na yung mataas na asin nito. “

Check out the video below.

For more features like this, watch Pinoy MD every Saturday, 6 a.m. on GMA.

YOU CAN OPT TO EAT THESE ROUND FRUITS INSTEAD.