FOOD IN ASIA

The wonder food of a continent

Rice is the staple food of most countries in Asia. It can form the main part of any meal, whether breakfast, lunch or dinner, and dessert, too!

Asian farmers grow 90 per cent of all the world's crop, with China and India growing over half of that. Only 6 per cent is exported. Most rice is eaten in Asia.

In some parts of Asia, a person may eat 60-80kg of rice per year. In the UK, the average person eats just 6kg of rice per year. A person in Asia eats 10-12 times more rice than someone in the UK.

Brown rice is a very nutritious grain, though unfortunately, in many countries in southeast Asia particularly, the rice is refined, removing the nutritious brown husk, and leaving just the white part.

Basmati rice, often eaten in India, is the one of the healthiest types. As a carbohydrate, it gives the body energy and aids brain function. It is low fat and cholesterol free, so it keeps the heart healthy, it contains all eight essential amino acids, is low in sodium, contains lots of B vitamins and minerals including magnesium, which helps keep blood pressure low and reduce asthma. Because of its fibre content, it helps keep the bowel healthy and helps prevent colon cancer. Rice also helps maintain a healthy body weight

and to reduce type 2 diabetes. So rice helps keep India healthy!