Calories of 4 sweet Yuanxiao = a bowl of rice! 3 Tips for Eating Yuanxiao to Make the Moon Full but Not Your Family

The Lantern Festival is always a time for eating soup or Yuanxiao, but if you don’t follow certain dietary restrictions or don’t understand the calorie count, be careful not to swallow too many whole, as the calorie count could exceed the limit! Director Wu Zhaojun of the National Health Administration teaches everyone 3 smart ways to eat glutinous rice balls or Yuanxiao without any burden on your health.

The Lantern Festival is the first "full moon" day after the Lunar New Year. The ancients called the first lunar month "Yuan Yue" and the night "Xiao", so the fifteenth day of the first lunar month of each year is designated as the Lantern Festival. According to past customs, a bowl of Yuan Xiao (Chinese Yuan Xiao) is served on that day to symbolize "reunion and perfection". Whether you eat Yuan Xiao (Chinese Yuan Xiao) or Tang Yuan (Chinese Glutinous Rice Balls), they are both high in fat, sugar and calories.

Calories of 4 sweet Yuanxiao = a bowl of rice

Consuming too much Yuanxiao or Tangyuan may cause health problems. For example, the calories in 4 sweet Yuanxiao or 5 salty Tangyuan are equivalent to a bowl of rice. You need to walk slowly (4 km/h) for 15 hours or climb 2083 steps (equivalent to the entire Taipei 101 building) to burn off the calories. In addition, don’t think that the calories in red and white dumplings are low. If you consume 20 of them, it is equivalent to the calories in half a bowl of rice, which should not be underestimated. Director Wu Zhaojun of the National Health Administration called on the public to master the techniques of "eating in small amounts, eating in alternations, and eating smartly" while enjoying the atmosphere of the Lantern Festival if they want to taste Yuanxiao or Tangyuan. This will allow you to find a balance between eating and health.

The calories in 4 sweet Yuanxiao or 5 salty glutinous rice balls are equivalent to a bowl of rice. You need to walk slowly (4 km/h) for 15 hours or climb 2083 steps (equivalent to the entire Taipei 101 building) to burn off the calories.

Although the methods of making Yuanxiao glutinous rice balls are different, don’t ignore the hidden calories

The Yuanxiao and Tangyuan sold on the market are all made from glutinous rice. Tangyuan is made by mixing glutinous rice flour and water. At first, small red and white tangyuan were mainly without fillings, and later stuffed tangyuan were derived. Yuanxiao is made by cutting the filling into pieces and then shaking it to coat it with glutinous rice flour, so the appearance will appear irregular. But no matter Yuanxiao or Tangyuan, if you are not careful, you will exceed the calorie limit if you consume too much.

3 smart ways to eat glutinous rice balls or Yuanxiao, healthy and worry-free

Whether it is sweet or salty, the hidden calories of glutinous rice balls or Yuanxiao are high, and the sense of fullness is low. If you are not careful, you will consume too many calories. The following 3 tips are smart and healthy to eat without burden:

1. Pay attention to the upper limit of intake

It is recommended to limit the intake to "20 small glutinous rice balls or 2 Yuanxiao" at one time (about the calories of half a bowl of rice).

2. Reduce the amount of rice

In addition, the glutinous rice flour used to make Yuanxiao or Tangyuan is starch. When consuming it, remember to "reduce the amount of white rice" to avoid consuming too much carbohydrates.

3. Cooking ingredients requires skills

In addition, adding more creativity to cooking can also reduce calorie intake. For example, for small unfilled glutinous rice balls, use rose tea, sugar-free green tea or sugar-free soy milk instead of strong sugar water. For sweet glutinous rice balls with fillings, cook them in boiling water before eating. For salty glutinous rice balls, it is recommended to add a variety of dietary fiber to the soup, such as cabbage, mushrooms, radishes and other vegetables. This not only adds sweetness and fiber to the vegetables, but also brings out the good taste.

Director Wu Zhaojun of the National Health Administration reminds people to use the above-mentioned techniques more often when cooking and enjoying Yuanxiao or glutinous rice balls. Don't forget to take advantage of the Lantern Festival to go out for a walk or to enjoy the lanterns with friends and family. Walking or exercising can promote gastrointestinal motility and digestion. He also wishes you "good things come in a circle, and your family is happy and reunited" on the Lantern Festival.