An article produced by Yahoo Health earlier this month brings information to college campuses across the nation that may cause mass budgetary and taste-bud panic. The inexpensive pre-packaged noodle-y sensation known as ramen noodles are now considered a health hazard. I know, you may be shocked, but this salty broth of delight reached its limit long ago. As college students, we know how to stretch a dollar, but there’s only so far you can stretch a noodle.

Personally, I knew this day was coming from the first moment I looked at the packaging on my favorite brand of ramen—flavor: beef. As I unwrapped pack number two and plopped it heavily into the boiling, raging water, something suspicious caught my eye. Servings per container, I read, and blinked suddenly. That tiny square was meant to serve two. And here I was eating four servings. Something else attracted my attention. I may have been capable of eating four servings, but I suddenly knew why the portions were so small:

Those four servings collectively contained 3,640 mg of sodium, 152% of the daily-recommended intake in one meal.

That can’t be too healthy.

Furthermore, the ingredients list was also filled with other obvious problems, such as 11% daily intake of fat per serving, or 44% in two squares. But, being college students and only costing $1 per pack? You know you can’t eat just one. This was the packaged boil-in-a-pot ramen. What about the instant ramen that comes in one of those nifty microwaveable cups? Studies have shown that the Styrofoam packaging may not be safe for microwaving and then consuming. While one cup won’t cause any harm, repeated ingestion of the delicious salty snack may not be the best decision.

It boils down to one thing: like anything else, ramen should be consumed in moderation. Great moderation. Sure, it is a safe alternative to a meal plan, but not for health. Ramen consumption should be supplemented by other nutritious items to avoid stretching both your wallet and your waistline.