The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) had designated 2004 as "The year of rice". Asians eat rice as a staple. “Almost 3,000 million people share the culture, traditions, and untapped potentials of rice,” says FAO. “…rice is a food - but more than a food. It is society, culture, politics, business, the beauty of the landscape, people in their communities. In short, rice is life.”
What is the Nutritive content of rice?
Rice is a nutritious cereal. It is a good source of insoluble fibre. Insoluble fibre reduces the risk of bowel disorders and fights constipation. Among other nutrients, rice is rich in carbohydrates, the main source of energy, low in fat, contains some protein and B vitamin.
The following is the nutritive content of rice:
100 gms. of raw rice contains:
- Carbohydrate 78.2 gms
- Protein 6.8 gms
- Fat 0.5 gms
It can give 345 calories of energy.
What are the newer varieties of rice? (Hybrids) Are they equally nutritious?
The newer varieties of rice include the hybrids like IR 8, IR 20, ADT 36, etc. These varieties are short duration crops which can grow in less than four months and there can be three yields (harvests) per year. Though nothing much has been done on comparative nutritional values, they have more flour producing grains especially the IR varieties and can be used to make dough for idly, dosai etc. ADT is good as food.
What is Golden Rice?
Golden rice is the genetically modified rice which was created to combat the malnutrition present due to the presence of Vitamin A deficiency. Two genes of DAFFODILS and one of BACTERIA have been used to prepare this rice. Practically to provide the Daily requirement for Vitamin A only from rice a person needs to consume approximately nine kgs of the rice per day.
However, some controversy surrounds the concept of golden rice. One of the issues of the controversy is that it is an expensive alternative to native sources of Vitamin A, for the poorer countries.
How is rice best cooked? Which is the best way in which to consume rice?
Rice is best cooked by the following method. Use a steamer with a loose lid. Water for cooking the rice twice or three times in volume. Don’t strain the excess volume of water.
Rice can be consumed in any form as rice, idly, dosai, idiappam, pongal, payasam etc. But to meet the daily requirement of carbohydrates rice can be consumed as rice. Weight watchers can cut the quantity of rice as an easy way to cut the calories.
Weight watchers are advised to eat less rice today, why is that? Is there an optimum level of rice consumption per day?
Weight watchers are advised to eat less rice because of the following reasons:
When you are having chappathis, you can count the number you are supposed to have and limit your meal.
It is very difficult to quantify rice in a meal, unless we are very careful about it.
Few of us can limit the measure of rice during a 2/3 course rice based meal, or when many side dishes are provided.
Normally weight watchers overeat and one rule of thumb for cutting calories is to reduce the rice taken.
There is an optimum level for total calories to be consumed per day. Experts say that 55 - 60% of normal diet calories come from carbohydrates; complex carbohydrates in particular. This means that if you eat 2,500 calories a day, carbohydrates should supply approximately 1,375 and 1,500 calories. Not all of this need come from rice (or any cereal like wheat, ragi, bajra etc.). Other foods in a meal, such as vegetables also contribute carbs in varying amounts. So you may be advised to take 2-3 cups of rice a day (depending on age, activity level etc.) to meet the carb needs.
Urban Indian cuisine patterns are changing drastically. Is this a good trend? Are we coping with this well? Do you believe that crop of the region is related to the constitution and lifestyle of the people of the region?
Urban Indian cuisine patterns are changing currently for the worse. Because of globalisation, affluence and availability of foods the trend is towards a high fat, more refined food culture. We have to take rigorous steps to educate people to choose the right combinations of foods to remain healthy though they can keep up with the changing trends. What was indigenously cultivated in an area is called “crop of the people”. It definitely fits into the lifestyle of the people.
Is there something that we as consumers must know about the patents on rice and how the economy plays a role what we eat?
Awareness helps. About three years ago some basmati rice patents were granted to an American company. RiceTec was allowed to register three hybrid versions of basmati - Texmati, Jasmati and Kasmati which are produced by crossbreeding basmati seed with American long-grain rice. RiceTec was also given permission to claim that its brands are "superior to basmati".
The IRRI, international rice research institute has several germplasm from India.
WTO’s new policies may have a negative impact on rice production and sale by Indian farmers.
