Hi parents
Today, would like to share with you about going riceless.
The human body was never meant to consume rice! Over more than 30,000 years, our genes have hardly changed. What has changed is our choice of good and lifestyle.
Caveman food was never cooked as fire was not yet tamed. He ate fruits, vegetables, fish eggs, nuts and meat. Yes, even meat can be eaten raw if you were starving in the forest. Our body has the necessary enzymes to digest meat.
Rice, like wheat and corn, must be cooked before consumption. Even if you were starving in the desert, you cannot eat rice in the raw form. This is because our body do not have the system of enzymes to break rice down. We were never meant to eat rice. To make matters worse, we not only eat rice but also make it the bulk of your food.
In Asia context, rice forms up to 85% of the plate. Keep it to a minimum if you can. Remember, it is only our tongue and not your body tasting the food. In fact, rice and other grains like wheat and corn are actually worse than sugar. Below are many reasons:
1 When consumed, rice becomes sugar
Rice is chemically no different from sugar – 1 bowl of cooked rice is equal of 10 teaspoons of sugar. It is the same for white, brown or herbal rice. Although brown rice is richer in fibre, contains some vitamin B and minerals, it is still equal of 10 teaspoons of sugar. To get the same 10 teaspoons of sugar, you need to consume 10 bowls of kangkong, how about that.
2 When digested, rice becomes sugar
Rice can only be digested when it is thoroughly cooked. However, when cooked, it becomes sugar and spikes circulating blood sugar within half an hour. This is almost like taking a sugar candy. Rice is very low in the ‘rainbow of anti-oxidants’ as compared to fruits. Fruits come with a sugar called fructose. However, these are not empty calories as they contain a whole bunch of other nutrients that help in proper assimilation and digestion.
3 White rice has no fibre
Kangkong is high in fibre and fills one up long before the blood sugar spikes. This is because the fibre bulks and fills up your stomach. Since white rice has no fibre, what you get is lots of ‘calorie dense’ food before you get filled up. Although brown rice has more fibre, it still amounts to the same level of sugar.
4 Tasteless-sugar rice
The reason why many people can eat one bowl of rice is because it is more or less tasteless. Imagine if you take 10 spoons of sugar in one go, you will want to throw out.
5 Rice as main part of the meal
Sugar may fill your dessert or sweeten your tea or coffee. However, it was never meant to be the main part of any meal. You may go for a couple of desserts (2 – 3 spoons of sugar) at one go. It is amazing how some people could eat up to 2 to 3 bowls of rice (equivalent to 20-30 teaspoons of sugar) in one meal. This is followed by a cup of tea or coffee and again with sugar. Just think of the sugar level consumed.
6 No real ‘built in’ mechanism to prevent overeating of rice
Have you ever wondered how much kangkong, fried chicken, steamed fish you can you eat at one go??? The truth is there is a limit you would take any of these but for rice, somehow one can take up to 2 to 3 bowls. Consuming rice causes one to take in more salt as rice is tasteless, This in turn can indirectly pump up high blood pressure. Imagine more curry, ketchup and soy sauce to add flavor to the white rice. All these contains high salt content.
7 Eating rice causes one to drink less water
The more rice one consumes, the less water one will drink as there is no mechanism to prevent the overeating of rice. In other hidden forms, rice, wheat and corn also come as rice flour, noodles and bread. We tend to eat these hidden forms daily which also translate into digested sugar.
8 Rice, when cooked, is still difficult to digest
Have you ever try eating half-cooked rice. Contrary to popular belief, rice is actually difficult to digest. If you have problems with digestion, try skipping rice for a few days. You will be amazed at how the problem will just go away. This is especially so with chicken rice. In some serious cases, eating cold chicken rice can cause severe indigestion or gastric problems.
9 Huge consumption of rice prevents the absorption of vitamins and minerals
Rice when taken in bulk can reduce the absorption of vital nutrients like zinc, iron and the B vitamins.
If you are rice eater, it’s time to consider going riceless for a change. Below are some tips in which you can do so:
· Gradually reducing the portion of rice consumed
Increase the intake of fruits and vegetables instead. Also, go for more lean meat and fish. Eggs and nuts are also good choices.
· Go ‘riceless’ once a week
Try going western for a change – steak or salad, Add colour to your food. Make eating a culinary delight. Enjoy food in the original flavours, using spices where applicable.
· Avoid sauces to go with the rice
Try eating plain rice and avoid all sorts of gravies and sauces. This will ensure less salt and sugar constent found in the gravies and sauces.
· Eating fruit dessert before the main meal
The rich fibre in fruits will make the stomach will feel fuller. That way, you will eat less rice. This in turn will reduce the sugar intake.
We are what we eat. Eating less rice or going riceless is also a way to loose weight, So parents, make the right choice for yourself and your family. Go riceless at least once a week, for a change.
