Many individuals contribute to rice-elimination diets when they start a weight loss attempt. There is a misconception that rice leads to belly fat or weight gain. One small spoon of rice can even make someone feel

guilty!

Is rice really the problem?

Experts mostly agree that rice alone is not typically the cause of becoming overweight. The greater concern is one, how much rice you are consuming, two, how you prepare it, and three, what your daily lifestyle looks like.

Rice is a simple carbohydrate which quickly digests in the body and provides energy quickly. Consuming a lot of rice -especially if it is not accompanied by vegetables or protein- can contribute to an increase of excess body fat; this problem does not just apply to rice however, you can increase body fat by eating too much of any food.

Why Our Diet is Important

Nutritionist Dr. Manjari Chandra states that while rice is an issue, the bigger issue is our diet in India. Most Indians eat too many carbohydrates – wheat, rice, maida (refined flour), sugar, and processed food – and don’t engage in enough physical activity.

According to her, eating an excess of carbohydrates leads the body to produce an excess of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that stores fat, and when produced in excess, it sends signals to the body to store excess fat – particularly fat around the organs. This fat is more dangerous than fat underneath the skin.

How to Eat Rice the Right Way

Rice does not need to be omitted altogether. Rather, the focus should be on moderation and balanced meals.

When consuming rice in conjunction with vegetables, proteins (e.g. dal, paneer, chicken) and healthy fats (e.g. ghee or nuts), the rice will digest much more slowly and will also keep you feeling fuller for longer – and in turn, helping to keep blood sugars controlled.

What about brown rice?

Many people tend to think that brown rice is a lot better for you than white rice. However, Dr. Chandra says that the difference is not as profound. Just like with brown bread, brown rice may appear to be healthier, but they both do similar things to the body’s sugar levels.

Instead, she suggests trying minimally processed rice varieties like red rice, black rice, wild rice, or parboiled rice. These rice varieties have more fiber and nutrients than polished white rice.

It’s not just rice

Even the healthiest rice can be an issue if you’re eating it in excess – especially if you are sitting all day. In days gone by, people had more active lifestyles than we do now. These days, most of us have desk jobs and simply do not move like previous generations did. This makes it difficult to burn off extra carbohydrates.

Also Read: Why People Avoid Eating Onion And Garlic During Sawan

In conclusion: Eat Smart, Not Less

Rice is not a villain. A small portion eaten with good foods can fit into a healthy diet. Weight gain happens as the result of many habits – overeating, taking no exercise, poor food choices, and not because of one food.

Instead of focusing on rice, focus on your lifestyle overall.

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