Ramen noodles are quick and easy to prepare, calorie-rich and super cheap. It’s easy to see why they’re also known as the official food of college students. A package of ramen, which typically consists of a dried block of noodles and a seasoning packet, can be found for as little as 10 cents a pop in bulk. The noodles seem to last forever, too, and would make for great fallout shelter food.

The downside of most ramen noodle dishes found on grocery store shelves? The flavor packets that come with the typical brands are loaded with sodium and MSG, and besides being high in carbs and low in vitamins and minerals, the noodles are often fried before being dehydrated. And you wonder where that 14 grams of fat and 380 calories per package comes from.

I’m not trying to dissuade anyone from eating ramen. I’m simply trying to provide some enlightening alternatives to eating them in the usual fashion.

The gist: Ditch the flavor packet and grab some veggies and lean protein to add to your noodles. This will increase the number of serving sizes you’ll get, so you’ll be eating less of the noodles, thus lowering the carbs, fat and calories consumed. It will also get you the vitamins, minerals and all that other good stuff your body needs.

So whether you’re a college student on a budget or just never outgrew eating these instant noodles after graduation, here are some easy, creative and healthier reuses for ramen.

This article appears in Oct 21-27, 2010.