Ah, noodles. They’re just the best, right? Whether they’re coated in soy sauce or steamed in a rich ramen broth, they’re a comforting and delicious ingredient we as a nation can’t get enough of. Convenient and affordable, it’s no surprise that over 40.6 million kilos of dry noodles were sold in the UK last year. 

To celebrate National Noodle Day, on 6th October, we’re dedicating this blog to one of our number 1 ingredients - from its origins to delicious recipes. So, let’s get to it…

Where did noodles originate from?

The earliest known record of noodles dates back to the Eastern Han period, around 4,000 years ago, in China. The noodles were made from wheat dough, and became an integral part of the Han dynasty’s diet. 

Since then, they’ve become an everyday part of life for so many people, from those in Japan, China and Korea to all the way over here in the UK.

Types of noodles

Rice noodles

Made with rice flour, rice noodles are a great alternative for those looking to avoid gluten. They come in a variety of sizes, from super-thin vermicelli to the thick flat noodles you’ll find in a Pad Thai. 

Soba noodles

A Japanese noodle style, they’re made primarily with buckwheat flour, which gives them a deep brown colour. Soba noodles are traditionally served either chilled with a dipping sauce, or hot in a delicious soup. 

Egg noodles

One of the most common types of noodles in the UK, egg noodles are unsurprisingly made with a mix of egg and flour. They’re used most commonly in Chinese and Southeast Asian dishes, like Chow Mein and Korean Stir Fry.

Udon noodles

Another Japanese style, Udon noodles are made with wheat flour and are much thicker than many other types. They’re often used in ramen soups but can also be used in stir fry for a more satisfying meal. 

Hand-pulled noodles

Watching someone hand-pull noodles is almost like theatre. It’s such a skill and the end result is super-delicious and succulent noodles that soak up the flavours of the dish they’re in. Although they’re hard to come by, it’s a noodle worth searching out.

Want to know more? To give you an idea of the nutritional content of an average portion of noodles, the USDA explain that 100g of cooked egg noodles contain:

• 138 calories

• 2.1g of fat

• 1.2g of fibre 

• 4.54g of protein

• 12mg of calcium

Are noodles healthy?

Like pasta, dry or fresh noodles can be healthy when eaten as part of a balanced diet. When choosing your noodles, it’s important to look at the nutritional contents, being careful to avoid any high in salt and saturated fat. 

Noodles can even be enjoyed on The 1:1 Diet. On top of our Chicken Flavour Noodle Soup and Thai Green Style Curry with Noodles, we’ve worked with nutritionists to create some truly delicious and healthy noodle meals.

Healthy noodle recipe

Chicken Satay Noodle Salad

There are so many ways you can enjoy noodles, and this crisp and crunchy salad with warm noodles and chicken is a great example. Plus, the pomegranate seeds make it really colourful and add a hint of sweetness.

Ingredients:

Salad:

Spray oil

200g chicken breast fillets

25g rice noodles (dry weight)

1 medium carrot, coarsely grated

80g white cabbage, shredded

¼ small cucumber, cut into matchsticks

2 spring onions, thinly sliced

A handful of coriander, chopped

1 tbsp roughly crushed salted roasted peanuts

Seeds of ½ pomegranate

Peanut satay sauce:

1 tbsp crunchy peanut butter

1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce

Juice of ½ lime

1 tbsp of water

Method:

1. Spray a non-stick frying pan or griddle pan lightly with oil and place over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through, until cooked right through and golden brown. Cut into thin slices.

2. Mix the peanut satay sauce ingredients together and add the warm chicken. Turn it in the sauce to coat.

3. Meanwhile, cook the rice noodles according to the directions on the packet. Drain well.

4. Put the chicken and noodles in a bowl with the carrot, cabbage, cucumber, spring onions and coriander. Toss together lightly.

5. Divide the salad between 2 serving plates and sprinkle with the crushed peanuts and the pomegranate seeds. Serve immediately.

Variations

• You can experiment with different salad vegetables. Use crisps ones, such as thinly sliced red or yellow peppers, shredded kale or Chinese leaves and sliced mangetout.

• Cut the carrot into matchsticks rather than grating it.

Find more recipes like this on our recipe page. 

Now, all that’s left to do is celebrate National Noodle Day in style by recreating our super-yummy tasty Chicken Satay Noodle Salad. 

Got photos? Be sure to share your foodie creations on Instagram using the hashtag #One2OneDiet

To start your weight-loss journey, contact a friendly Consultant near you.