1 Yuanxiao contains 70 calories! The secret to eating Yuanxiao without gaining weight

It is a must to eat Yuanxiao (Chinese glutinous rice dumplings) during the Lantern Festival. The Department of Health estimates that four Yuanxiao (Chinese glutinous rice dumplings) contain about 300 calories, which can be burned off by walking about 10,000 steps. One glutinous rice dumpling contains about 70 calories. Nutritionists recommend that you only eat a small amount of glutinous rice dumplings, and eat no more than four at a time. Also, do not add sugar to the glutinous rice dumpling soup, chew the glutinous rice dumplings slowly, and drink a cup of barley tea after eating to aid digestion.

Nutritionists recommend that you only eat a small amount of Yuanxiao and eat no more than 4 pieces at a time. (Photography by Huang Zhiwen)

Nutritionist Lin Guanzhen pointed out that it is important to control calories when eating Yuanxiao, as eating too much will cause obesity, especially since Yuanxiao is made from glutinous rice and has a very high starch content. It is recommended to cut one Yuanxiao in half and "taste it lightly" in a small bowl, while pairing it with yam, vegetables, or salad to increase satiety. This is definitely helpful for those who are obese or suffer from the three high chronic diseases.

There is a secret to eating Yuanxiao without gaining weight

1. There are many kinds of fillings for Yuanxiao. One Yuanxiao has about 70 calories. A bowl of 4 Yuanxiao contains about 45 grams of sugar, 5 grams of protein and 15 grams of fat, which is equivalent to a bowl of rice, plus 1 tablespoon of oil and a small amount of meat, totaling about 350 calories, which is almost equal to the calories of a full meal. Recommendation: Try not to eat in the morning as it will affect absorption.

2. When eating Yuanxiao, people with diabetes need to pay attention to eating it with other foods, such as some vegetables, to lower the glycemic index. Recommendation: Add less sugar to the Yuanxiao soup and use an appropriate amount. It is best to cut 1 Yuanxiao into 2 pieces.

3. The elderly have poor digestive function, so they should eat less Yuanxiao to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort. If the elderly still want to eat it, it is recommended that they should not consume too much at one time, and because of the decline in swallowing and chewing functions, they should cut the Yuanxiao into small pieces and chew them slowly to avoid burning their mouths by eating too fast, and to avoid accidents caused by the Yuanxiao getting stuck in the throat due to rapid swallowing.

4. Chew Yuanxiao slowly and thoroughly. Saliva contains salivary amylase, which can help break down glutinous rice through full contact and mixing of saliva and food, breaking down the sticky components into a state that is more easily liquefied, which helps the human body absorb.

5. Since Yuanxiao can promote the increase of gastric acid secretion and aggravate the irritation of ulcers, it may worsen the condition for people with gastric ulcers or peptic ulcers, so they should be especially careful to eat less. In addition, children and infants have relatively weak swallowing and digestive functions. It is recommended that dumplings should be eaten in small bites and should not be consumed in excess.

6. After eating Yuanxiao, you may feel bloated and uncomfortable. You can drink a cup of barley tea to aid digestion. In traditional Chinese medicine, more emphasis is placed on helping stomach qi and relaxing the intestines.