5 tips to eat glutinous rice balls on the winter solstice without getting fat! Can you tell the difference between glutinous rice balls and Yuanxiao?

The winter solstice is the day with the shortest day and the longest night in the year. Every family will gather together to eat rice dumplings, which symbolizes perfection. But how can we eat glutinous rice balls without getting fat? Nutritionists remind us of 5 secrets to help you enjoy eating glutinous rice balls without getting fat.

One stuffed glutinous rice ball has about 65-75 calories.

Nutritionist Liao Wanru said that nowadays there are more and more flavors of glutinous rice balls, and they are becoming more and more creative, and can even be described as bizarre. But what are you eating, glutinous rice balls or Yuanxiao?

Can you tell the difference between glutinous rice balls and Yuanxiao?

The raw materials for Tangyuan and Yuanxiao are both glutinous rice flour. The traditional thing to eat during the winter solstice is small, unfilled tangyuan. Glutinous rice flour is mixed with water and then kneaded into a dough. It is usually made in red and white colors to add to the festive atmosphere. It is only in recent years that stuffed glutinous rice balls with different flavors have gradually developed. The prepared glutinous rice dough is wrapped with fillings and then rolled into balls. The most common flavors are peanut and sesame. The Yuanxiao eaten during the Lantern Festival is made by first making the filling and dividing it into small pieces. Then the pieces are placed in a bamboo sieve filled with glutinous rice flour and shaken continuously to coat them with layers of glutinous rice flour. The final product is Yuanxiao. Due to the difference in the preparation methods, the surface of Yuanxiao is not as smooth as that of stuffed glutinous rice balls.

A stuffed glutinous rice dumpling has about 65-75 calories

How can we celebrate the holidays happily and add years to our age without gaining weight? Ten traditional red and white glutinous rice balls without fillings have about 70 calories, which is equivalent to 1/4 bowl of rice; while a glutinous rice ball with fillings has about 65-75 calories, and the fillings often require the addition of sugar and oil during the production process, so the calories should not be underestimated. Coupled with the traditional custom of pairing it with sweet soup, the sugar content continues to soar.

Eating glutinous rice dumplings on the winter solstice will add years to your age but not weight. (Photo provided by nutritionist Liao Wanru)

5 tips for eating glutinous rice balls on winter solstice without getting fat

Nutritionist Liao Wanru suggests that if you want to eat glutinous rice balls during the winter solstice without feeling burdened and gaining weight, here are 5 tips:

1. Reduce the intake of whole grains in the main meals of the day.

2. For the sweet soup, you can reduce the amount of sugar and add longan, red dates, and sugar-free barley tea to enhance the flavor.

3. Divide into small bowls.

4. Share with your family and friends. Share and distribute the heat.

5. Chew slowly. Reminder: Tangyuan is made of glutinous rice flour. Eating too much can cause bloating. People with weak gastrointestinal digestion ability should pay special attention. Remember to chew slowly and not eat too much, so that you can celebrate the festival happily without spoiling the fun.