Yes, instant ramen is affordable and filling. But is it healthy?

Few foods are known for being as filling, tasty, and, most importantly, inexpensive as instant ramen. Even in today's inflated economy, the iconic colorfully packaged squares of dehydrated noodles can still cost as little as 30 cents apiece - a bargain when you consider that for many people, one package counts as an entire meal.

While that price point might not seem very profitable, the company Maruchan that makes a large percentage of those little packages in the U.S., says on its websitethat it produces 3.6 billion units of the soup every year.

That's impressive enough on its own, but Maruchan is just one of more than a dozen major producers of instant ramen, and there are many retail stores and restaurants who offer more traditional forms of the product as well.

What is ramen?

Ramen is a Japanese noodle dish that comes in four main varieties: miso ramen, tonkotsu ramen, shoyu ramen and shio ramen. When served in certain kitchens at home or restaurant settings, the wheat noodles are often made from scratch, presented in a hearty, flavorful broth, and are often topped with hard- or soft-boiled eggs, corn, bamboo shoots, seaweed, bean sprouts, and protein such as beef, pork, shrimp, or chicken.

But the majority of people living in the U.S. don't think of fancy Japanese cuisine when they hear "ramen." Instead, we think of its instant variety - "a pre-packaged version of the dish that has become a convenient meal for people with busy schedules, including college students," says LeeAnn Weintraub, a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant based in Los Angeles.

Instant ramen was created in 1958 by the founder of Nissin Foods - a man by the name of Momofuku Ando. Ando discovered that by frying the noodles in oil, he could dehydrate them for easy storage before remoisturizing them in boiled water to become fresh noodles again.

Instant ramen still has similar trademark noodles as its traditional counterpart - and each colorful package also contains a packet of flavored seasoning powder such as beef, pork, shrimp and chicken. Some varieties of instant ramen also come with dehydrated vegetables such as peas, carrots and corn - and some people also add their own toppings to instant ramen at home.

Is ramen healthy?

Instant ramen has some nutritional value, mainly being that the food offers plenty of quick energy, provided by its refined carbohydrates. What's more, "the sodium therein also helps maintain electrolyte balance, fluid retention, and muscle function - improving hydration and performance," says Jen Messer, a nutrition consultant and registered dietitian at Jen Messer Nutrition. "By adding a source of protein, you can have a simple and fast pre-workout meal."

Ramen is also filling and can thereby help curb hunger pangs. "And, depending on the toppings and broth included, ramen can contain small amounts of protein and micronutrients like iron," says Lisa Young, a registered dietitian nutritionist, author of "Finally Full, Finally Slim," and adjunct professor of nutrition at New York University.

Messer adds that many varieties of instant ramen also provide micronutrients like thiamine and riboflavin, which can be good for immune health, digestive health, and skin health.

Can you eat ramen every day?

Despite such benefits, all three experts agree that it would be unwise to deem instant ramen a "health" food. "It is critical to avoid overeating instant ramen as it can lead to imbalanced nutrition since it is calorically dense but lacks meaningful amounts of essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals," says Weintraub.

Messer adds that both the traditional and instant varieties of ramen "are also high in sodium - which is an important consideration for anyone monitoring their sodium intake, including people with high blood pressure or those trying to avoid high blood pressure."

"And instant ramen is frequently high in saturated fats and may contain additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) or preservatives that aren’t ideal for regular consumption," adds Young.

At the same time, occasionally eating a bowl of ramen "is perfectly fine," and even a good opportunity "to consider elevating its nutritional profile by adding a protein source like eggs, tofu, or chicken and complimentary vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, and carrots to create a balanced, economical, and filling meal," says Messer. "It's all about moderation."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is ramen healthy?