Dinner was was sticky rice sweet pudding made with kidney beans, casava, coconut, agar-agar, Irish sea moss, bladderwick, filtered water and the main ingredient sticky rice. Sticky rice is readily available from Asian shops as it is seen as medicine along with all the other ingredients mentioned with the exception of the Irish sea Moss and Bladderwick, which have to be ordered online.
Sticky rice is also known as glutinous rice, which this is a particular type grown in various South Eastern Asian countries and does not contain any gluten. Just as its name and texture suggests, it takes on a very sticky consistency when cooked.
When cooked, the excess release of starch during steaming that sticky rice gets that glue like texture to each grain. Sticky rice contains a unique nutritional profile that includes high levels of protein, multi B vitamins, selenium, zinc, magnesium, copper, and phosphorus. This rice does contain fibre, but not as much as is found in brown rice and other forms of white rice. My total daily recommended fibre intake is 25-30 grams but majority people are lucky to get 15 grams. I am not a fan of fruits due to the high fructose levels which can become harmful to Liver so my family get their fibre from other sources.
Health benefits:
Metabolism and weight loss: in TICM, we know how much warm, glutinous rice helps the digestive system because it is easily assimilated and turned into usable energy, even in those with weak digestions as it is a complex carb. Furthermore, many of the B vitamins found in sticky rice help the Stomach and Spleen systems through creating enzymes and providing hormonal balance.
Warms the body and boosts circulation: as mentioned above, sticky rice boosts the functioning of the Spleen and Stomach which dominate the limbs. When they are functioning properly, they can send adequate Qi (energy) and Blood to the arms and legs to keep them warm, if not you may suffer from cold hands and feet or heaviness or puffiness in the arms and legs. If the Spleen and Stomach have Qi (energy) and Blood deficiency symptoms include fatigue, bloating which is worse after eating, sluggish bowel movement and weight gain. You may even suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, an underactive thyroid or irritable bowel syndrome.
Diabetes: a study published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that eating sticky brown rice for a day improves glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes which was assessed by continuous glucose monitoring.
Sticky rice also helps to increase bone density, decrease inflammation and promote Heart health.
For sticky rice porridge, boil 1 handful or cup of sticky rice in 4 cups of water. After the rice boils, turn it to a simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is soft and ready to eat. You can add any of your favourite flavours and make it either savory or sweet. Think ginger, meat, beans, cinnamon, walnuts, dates or any herbs and spices you like.
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