Ramen In The Prep Stash, Yay Or Nay?

[halfclickwest]

Curious what folks think about keeping ramen in the prep stash. I know it's not exactly nutrient-dense, but it's cheap, filling, and lasts a while.

I've got a few cases stored away, but I'm wondering how long they really last past the date. Also — is there a better way to store them than just keeping the packs in the box?

Anyone rotate ramen regularly or have tricks to make it a little more useful in a long-term situation? They seem to last longer than their expiration date.

 

[rugeraficiando]

Need to add some Tabasco sauce with your kit to kick the ramen up.

 

[WAYNO]

My experience with ramen...
The packages are barely adequate to contain the contents, and are barely air-tight, if they are at all. The only reason the packaging works at all, is the noodles are already desiccated and they are not expected to be stored, long term. Not unlike saltine crackers.
I do believe they have long term nutrition value, but they must be stored in another air-tight container, with the ability to remove as much air as possible. A quality zip-lock bag comes to mind.

And speaking of ramen... many years ago when packaged ramen first regularly found its way to American stores, I/we would often pack some ramen into the field while I was in the Army. We survived on C-Rations only, and ramen was a great treat to augment our C-Rats.



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[Rimfire Fanatic]

Yes. It lasts for many years.

 

[McGavin]

It lasts, it's filling, and that's pretty much where it ends. I don't have it in any of my food preps and I won't. This is mainly due to 2 reasons:

1. Like you noted, it has really no nutritional value.
2. And this is the bigger point for me, it's very high in sodium. It's going to make you need more water than the water you used to prepare it. It may fill the belly for 30 minutes, but you'll be creating a hydration deficit by eating it.

So it doesn't really solve a problem and it creates a problem that may be difficult to solve depending on the situation.