
Last week I wrote about snacking and listed some of my kids favourite after school snacks. You can catch up here. So this week I thought it appropriate that I share their absolute favourite snack – my healthy version of those awful, fake instant noodles (or noodle cups).
Instant noodles are a perfect example of not what to eat – heavily processed, nutritionally void, packaged…I can’t even call it ‘food’. As I wrote last week, every time you feed your kids, it’s an opportunity to nourish them and improve their health and wellbeing, not promote illness and disease.
Just today my hairdresser told me that she educates her young children about good and not so good food choices by explaining that some food is ‘tricky’ – that is, it tastes good and tricks you into feeling like eating more (that your brain convinces you it’s ‘not so bad’). I thought this was just a brilliant analogy and a great way to explain and educate kids about widely available, well marketed processed foods.
Anyhow, now for my polar opposite version of instant noodles. I’ve shared the basic recipe, but as a well liked food, it’s a great opportunity to increase it’s nutritional value by adding a few nutrient and flavour ‘boosters’ (for which I’ve also made suggestions).
Healthy Instant Noodles

Ingredients
- 250 ml chicken stock or bone broth (1 cup)
- 100 g noodles (I've used gluten-free brown rice noodles here, but you could use any type of good quality noodle or zoodles for grain-free)
- Pinch sea salt
I make big pots of broth and freeze it in recycled jars to defrost and enjoy as needed.
Method
- In a small pot bring about 4 cups of water to the boil. Add the noodles and cook until just cooked. How long you cook (or soak) for will depend on the type of noodle you choose (follow the directions on the pack).
- Drain and rinse well. Add to a bowl or thermos.
- Now heat your broth (recipe and more info about its goodness here) in the pot until hot, season and pour over the noodles.
Variations
Boost with…
- We love adding grated parmesan (or cheddar) to ours, so yum (for dairy-free use nutritional yeast).
- Spring onion is delicious (unless you are onion-free)!
- Herbs or leafy greens like baby spinach or kale can be added to the broth at the very end of cooking to wilt.
- If there’s a vegetable your kids like, add it. I often add sliced mushrooms, broccoli or carrot (into the broth to cook).
- Add an egg beaten and drizzled through the hot broth to form egg ribbons (to add protein).
- Add any leftover chicken meat, tofu, legumes etc (also to add protein).
- Add garlic and/or ginger for an immune boost (or just ginger if you are garlic-free).
Anita Josh Patton says
Just wondering what brand of thermos you use? I have had trouble finding one that keeps food hot enough!
Georgia Harding says
I have tried a lot of brands Anita and the best I have found for my kids lunches is the King Thermos (by Thermos). Great design and keeps the food SO hot for a very long time. Hope this helps G x
https://t.cfjump.com/15188/t/14846?Url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.biome.com.au%2f446-thermos-insulated-food-jars
Danielle McPharlin says
My boys love noodles…You could also throw some hemp seeds or dulce flakes into the noodles at the end!
Georgia Harding says
Yes, perfect, thanks for the suggestion Danielle x
aususacan says
Fabulous, Thankyou! I have your lunchbox book and breakfast book. My children eat your recipes everyday due to a well stocked freezer! Thankyou for all your helpful, delicious, easy to prep/cook and nutritious recipes.
Sarah says
I’m wondering if you have a brand of brown rice noodles you could recommend?
Georgia Harding says
I don’t have any in the pantry at the moment to check brands but I always buy ones with brown rice as the only ingredient and organic if possible. Most health shops have multiple brand options G x
Linda says
Good article . The way how you explain this strategies. Is very professional.
Georgia Harding says
Thank you!