NWAnews.com :: Northwest Arkansas Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Slim pickings

Posted on Wednesday, May 7, 2008

URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Food/225033/

WHAT: Nissin Choice Ramen

STATS: One serving (there are two per package ) contains 140 calories and 1 fat gram.

THE SKINNY: Our inner college student squealed when we heard about this new slimmed-down version of Ramen noodles, our all-time favorite cheap, easy — but unfortunately fattening — fallback.

You still get a cake of noodles (this one being circular and baked ) that you cook in boiling water (maybe in your hot pot for old time’s sake ) for a few minutes before stirring in a seasoning packet (either Slow Stewed Beef, Savory Herb Chicken or Shrimp Supreme ).

Only this time you’re taking in a lot less fat, calories and even 25 percent less sodium. But possibly more black pepper — that was the overwhelming flavor of the beef and chicken varieties.

Choice Ramen is more expensive than traditional packages, but it’s still budget-friendly. They were selling five for $ 2 at Kroger (compared to the traditional six for $ 1 ).

With saved calories, you can re-create the whole dorm-dining experience with a (light ) beer. Slim Pickings is a weekly review of light foods. E-mail:

jchristman@arkansasonline. com