Grow Your Muscles with Delicious Protein Noodles

November 22, 2023

Protein noodles are a tasty way to add more protein to your diet.

Protein is an essential part of a healthy diet. But if muscle growth is your priority, ensuring you consume enough protein daily becomes vital. This study of bodybuilders recorded a protein intake of 2.5g/kg of bodyweight during the bulking phase and an increase to 3g/kg in the cutting phase (1). The above numbers can be hard to hit, especially if you have a busy lifestyle. That’s why bodybuilders develop strategies to increase their daily protein intake, like consuming protein powders and protein shakes. Today, we’ll look at a more delicious way to do this — protein noodles.

Protein noodles might sound like a contradiction because, usually, when we hear noodles, our brains scream carbs! However, some noodles are high in protein, just as there are high-protein pastas, which can aid in weight loss. These foods allow you to get protein from whole foods, which are more sustainable and healthier.

So what are protein noodles, and why should you be interested in them as a weightlifter? In this post, we deeply dive into this noodle industry innovation and its fitness and muscle growth benefits. Here’s all you need to know about protein noodles so you don’t have to over-rely on protein shakes.

What Are Protein Noodles?

Usually, noodles are chock full of carbs and high in calories. This is why many fitness enthusiasts cut it out of their diets or use it as a cheat day meal. With protein noodles, it doesn’t have to be that way.

They contain enough protein to help you meet your daily requirements. Some are plant-based and high in fiber, reducing the amount of usable carbs while upping your protein intake. These noodles could contain soybeans, chickpeas, lentils, and eggs.

Please note that looking at the ingredients label is still essential when choosing a high-protein noodle. Some protein noodles, especially those made from animal protein, might still have outrageous carbs and fat. However, there are also low-fat, low-carb protein noodle options.

Ingredients of Protein Noodles

Protein noodles are a great addition to your diet and help you meet your daily protein ration. They’re also easy to prepare and taste great. Below are some ingredients they may contain.

Soybean
Chickpeas
Eggs
Lentils
Black Beans
Wheat Flour
Oats
Folic Acid
Riboflavin
Iron
Vitamins

Benefits of Protein Noodles

Protein noodles are a delicious way to enjoy your meal while getting the necessary macronutrients. You can easily pair it with vegetables and even more healthy protein sources and use it as a pre-workout or post-workout meal. As a pre-workout meal, protein pasta is rich in slow-digesting carbs that can fuel your exercises over time. They contain amino acids for post-workout meals to help with muscle recovery and growth during rest. Below are more benefits of protein noodles.

Energy

Sugar-packed carbs may give you an immediate energy boost, but you’ll also experience an ebb afterward. These highs and lows can be detrimental to your training. You might even want to give up after a while from a lack of energy.

On the other hand, protein-packed noodles contain complex carbs that take a bit of time to digest, giving you a sustainable, slow release of energy over time to supply you with the proper energy support for your brain and muscles.

Muscle Growth

Some protein noodles can give you as high as 23g of protein in one serving – about the same as most protein shakes. Mixing that with other excellent protein sources will increase your daily protein intake. Protein is a critical ingredient in muscle hypertrophy (2).

Low Sodium

If your diet is strict or you’re prepping for a contest, there are many low-sodium protein noodle options. These protein noodles also don’t contain cholesterol, which is excellent for heart health.

Folic Acid & Other Vitamins

Protein noodles are rich sources of vitamins and folic acid, essential nutrients. Folic acid is necessary for absorbing amino acids, which helps with muscle growth. Folic acid also helps the body in the absorption of oxygen. This increases your respiration, leading to more energy for your workouts. As a result, you’ll be able to work out harder and for longer.

What About the Carbs?

First, it’s essential to stop looking at carbs as the enemy. Proteins are not the only macronutrients you need to increase your muscle mass. Carbs are just as vital, so protein noodles are a great option.

For starters, carbs provide energy for weightlifting and other workouts (3). That’s because it supplies your muscles with glycogen. In addition, digesting carbs in the body lowers your blood sugar levels and boosts energy levels.

Carbs also regulate your digestive system, which aids in extracting nutrients like the proteins you need to build muscle mass. They help absorb calcium, which is necessary for strong bones. You can also work with lighter sauces and add lean meats to keep your protein noodles healthier.

Wrapping Up

Protein noodles are an excellent source of macronutrients, especially during bulking. They’re delicious and allow you to take a break from eating just rice, chicken, and protein shakes to hit your protein requirements for building muscle. In addition, they’ll keep you full and satisfied for longer, which can help with weight loss.

References

Gentil, P., de Lira, C. A. B., Paoli, A., Dos Santos, J. A. B., da Silva, R. D. T., Junior, J. R. P., da Silva, E. P., & Magosso, R. F. (2017). Nutrition, Pharmacological and Training Strategies Adopted by Six Bodybuilders: Case Report and Critical Review. European journal of translational myology, 27(1), 6247. https://doi.org/10.4081/ejtm.2017.6247
Tipton, K. D., & Wolfe, R. R. (2001). Exercise, protein metabolism, and muscle growth. International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism, 11(1), 109–132. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.11.1.109
Jéquier E. (1994). Carbohydrates as a source of energy. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 59(3 Suppl), 682S–685S. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/59.3.682S