Healthy eating for new mums over 40: the noodles that saved my sanity

Planning ahead is usually my secret weapon for eating well, but these past few weeks have tested even me, a new mum over 40. Sleep deprivation hit hard, and my kitchen became a graveyard of quick-fix meals: ready-made porridge, chocolate, coffee, and instant noodles. Not exactly the vibrant, protein-rich, fruit-and-veggie-packed diet I swore I’d return to post-baby.

I justified the odd chocolate chip cookie at work as an energy booster. And there I was, ready to spend another day slouched in my PJs, Netflix on, chocolate in hand, endlessly scrolling social media and taking selfies with Cyrus, when a parcel arrived: Mr Lee’s Guilt-Free, No Nasties Cup Noodles. Even Cyrus wanted a bite.

Before you think this is a sponsored post, let me clarify: it isn’t. Mr Lee is real. Damien Lee is a Bournemouth entrepreneur, a noodle enthusiast, and a single dad to two boys, James and Joshua. He’s also a Stage 4 cancer survivor who refused to let the diagnosis define him. Doctors gave him weeks to live, but he rewrote his own story.

Nutrition as a lifeline

Central to Damien’s recovery was nutrition. He cut out sugar and processed carbs, boosted protein, and embraced foods that fuelled his body for the fight. Today, he channels that ethos into healthy, natural, gluten-free noodles—low in calories, salt, saturated fat, and sugar. Freeze-dried ingredients preserve nutrients and flavour, making them far superior to the dehydrated noodles you find elsewhere.

As a busy mum juggling Cyrus in one arm and life in the other, I was curious. Could these noodles really be as easy and nourishing as promised? With six flavours to try—Hong Kong Street Beef, Penang Chicken Curry Laksa, Tai Chi Chicken, Shaolin Monk Vegetable, Dragon Fire Mushroom, and Warrior Fighting Shrimp—we were spoiled for choice.

Testing noodles at my lowest

I first tested them while running on empty after catching a nasty nursery bug. My appetite was low, but my need for nutrients was high. The Penang Chicken Curry Laksa immediately won me over: visually comforting, richly flavoured, and packed with anti-inflammatory, energy-boosting ingredients like ginger and turmeric. Each pot was generous with vegetables, a rare treat in the world of instant noodles.

“Even Cyrus wanted a bite. Mr Lee’s Guilt-Free Noodles made quick, nourishing meals possible on my toughest days.”

Quick, nourishing meals for busy parents

For new mums and dads, the convenience cannot be overstated. In just minutes, you have a meal that supports your health, is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and feels like more than just a quick snack. If Damien’s vision of noodle vending machines takes off, you could soon be getting your five-a-day in freeze-dried form straight to your desk.

For any parent over 40 trying to reclaim healthy eating, these noodles are a small, achievable win—a reminder that sometimes the simplest meals can feel like a lifeline.