I hate to sound like a stereotype, but ramen noodles were one of my staple foods in college. I also remember eating a lot of waffles and popcorn. Sometimes for lunch and dinner. That, and Hamburger Helper. It's a wonder I survived at all, now that I think about it.

My friends recently gave me some packaged food they didn't want, and it included one lone packet of ramen noodles. It was chicken "flavor," which really doesn't mean there's any actual chicken in it (though there is plenty of MSG).

Once I cooked the ramen, I noticed how lonely they looked sitting there in the bowl. Nothing green or colorful, just a bland mix of cloudy yellow water and yellow noodles. Kind of sad looking.

I remember I had some roasted seaweed in my cabinet, and when I put some strips into the soup bowl, voila, I suddenly had something that looked like actual soup!

Seaweed is an excellent source of nutrition. It's packed with vitamins and nutrients. It's also pretty cheap. One large bag will last quite a while if you are just using it as an additive to various foods.

In this "Ramen Noodle Economy," it's a good idea to find inexpensive ways to spruce up your cheap food options with some healthy additives. Seaweed is one such item. I not only put it in my soups but sometimes mix it up with other dishes, like the Trader Joe's beef hash that is a bit of a guilty pleasure.

If you want more ideas on how to make the most of your ramen noodles, check out Ramenlicious, which has tons of recipes, including vegetarian. I'm going to try making their Ramen Snack Mix next. By adding almonds and cranberries to crunchy bits of ramen, you've actually got a fairly nutritious snack.

The good thing about these recipes is that if you don't use the included flavoring packet, you won't be adding MSG to your diet, but you can still enjoy your ramen. (What on earth is "Oriental Flavor" anyway?)

So perhaps I won't write ramen off as just a college indulgence after all!