8 Rices and their Benefits

In the off chance I haven’t mentioned it before, rice is a huge part of the Indian culinary experience, to the point that most Indians consume it on a daily basis.  As I’m sure you know, rice is a healthy food, but India actually has a wide variety to types, all of which with they’re own set of benefits.

First off is white rice, the one I’m sure we’re all most familiar with!  This type is the easiest to digest and provides a wealth of energy after consumption.  Keeping with the digestive theme, it also aids in relieving digestive problems, such as diarrhea, dysentery, colitis or even morning sickness!

As far as health goes, brown rice is arguably the best there is for you.  It has countless benefits to help you lose wait and stay active, and is a great source of fibre while having less starch and calories.  Additionally, the oil in it can help you lower you bad cholesterol.  Just to name a few more things, it can lower you risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome and childhood asthma, is a good source of manganese, selenium and phytonutrients and even aids your cardiovascular system!

Third we have red rice, and although this isn’t everyone’s favorite it can keep you at normal levels of iron in your blood, as well regulating your blood sugar and insulin.  Additionally, it has vitamin B6, which you need to balance the formation of serotonin and red blood cells.  Not only that, but it can also aid the creation of DNA cells.

Next off we have sticky rice.  The primary health benefits for this one are its supporting of the immune system and promoting of healthy brain function.   Not only that, but the copper that sticky rice contains keeps your connective tissue strong as well!

Parboiled rice is especially helpful for diabetics.  Just a single cup of it provides 2 to 3 percent of the recommended daily intake of potassium, magnesium, iron and calcium.

Sixth we have black rice, which is most beneficial to those struggling with Alzheimer’s.   This is in part because the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of it are higher than any other kind of rice in India.

Next is basmati rice, which has about 20% more fibre than other types of Indian rices.  Not only that, but it also has a medium to low gycaemic index, which means the energy it releases comes out slow and steady, giving off a more balanced level of energy.

Lastly we have Jasmine rice.  Of everything it does for you, it’s best known for its vast amount of amino acids, which help to lessen the muscle pain in your body.

For a continued reading on the matter, click here to view Bold Sky’s article on the matter.

6 Healthy Indian Foods You Should Start Eating!

February means a lot to many people, but according to everyone on Facebook, the big thing is Valentine’s Day.  Personally I’m looking more forward to buying a couch two days later, but couples seem to be spazzing out to make plans for the big day.  Reservations are being made, roses are being sold faster than they grow, chocolate is on sale everywhere, and there’s a whole influx of new movies in the theater.

Now again, I stand by the couch I plan to sit in, but that’s all really impressive!  It’s the making of a glorious day to let yourself go and bask in love, but as long as we’re all planning on ignoring our diets on the 14th, it wouldn’t be too bad an idea to eat healthier now to make up for it!

And to do that, I’ve got six healthy foods for you to try!

First off, we have Idli, which originates in South India.  It’s a wonderful source of carbohydrates and proteins, and the fermentation process that it undergoes enhances its vitamin B.  Additionally, it can be easily mixed with dal and rice for a great deal of amino acids!

Second is Sattu, which conversely comes from the North.  Originally crafted from roasted gram flour, it’s now come to include an array of other nutritious flowers such as barley, wheat and more.  Additionally, it can be prepared in several ways, including parathas, laddoos, and litti chokhas just to name a few!

Next up is Dhokla, a Gujarati snack, which is made flour and then steamed.  The fermentation process of this enhances it’s nutritional value and it has a low glycemic index, which makes it good for those with diabetes.

Breaching the halfway point is Daliya, a popular breakfast cereal in North India that’s made of broken wheat and whole wheat grits.  It can be made either sweet or savory and is a complex carbohydrate.  This means it releases glucose slowly and consistently, making it another good food for diabetics and those wanting to lose weight.

Fifth we have Bajra, which is especially popular in Rajasthan and also known as pearl millet.  It’s predominately eaten in forms of rotis or khichdis, especially during the winter.

Rounding out the list is sprouts.  While a nontraditional Indian favorite, the health benefits of these are vast.  Spouts go through a germination process that breaks down all its nutrients into their simplest forms, predigesting them and making them easier to absorb by the body.  Sprouts are rich in vitamins, proteins, minerals and fibre.

After you have all that healthy food you won’t have to feel bad about splurging in a week and a day!

For a continued reading, click here to read The Health Site’s article in its entirety.