Basmati Rice is not only a staple food around the world but is a cultural symbol for fertility, health and wealth in many countries. In India it is customary to throw rice at a newly wed couple, symbolizing wishes for fertility and prosperity. Here it is believed that Lord Vishnu caused the Earth to give birth to rice and that the god Indra taught the people how to raise it. Rice is used for worship, and colored powdered rice is used to create beautiful works of art in the form of mandalas in the Far East. In these countries, rice is treated with reverence and associated with elaborate planting rituals.

There are several dozen varieties of rice. White rice is considered easier to digest in Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda, Basmati rice is the king of all rices. Basmati rice is saatvic or pure, it balances all three doshas, it is nourishing for the body tissues and it is easy to digest. Aged Basmati rice has an aroma and flavor arguably the best in the world. Ayurveda recommends avoiding rice that is par boiled, instant or pre-cooked because is has less nutrition and less prana or life energy in it.

Rice contributes the sweet taste according to Ayurveda. It is a light, soft, smooth and nourishing food. It is cooling in nature. Eat rice that is cooked well, in plenty of water, and add a dash of Ghee to the cooked rice. Desserts made with rice and milk are particularly cooling and healthy foods. 

Eat a diet with Low G.I. as part of the Healthy Eating:

There is good scientific evidence that G I influences blood glucose level. Rise and fall in glucose may in addition help you feel full for longer. G.I. can play a role in weight management by helping to control appetite and insulin level.

Here are the facts:-

· For low G.I. Basmati rice to be effective in a slimming plan, it must be part of a calorie controlled diet.

· Rice with a high G.I. are not necessarily unhealthy foods, but low G.I.Basmati rice are better than others or you can say that this is appropriate for every person.

· When you mix foods together the G.I. changes. So a high G.I. food when mixed with a low G.I. food becomes a medium G.I. meal e.g. add raw vegetables and short grain rice mixed with low G.I. Basmati rice and makes a delicious pulao.

· It makes good nutritional sense to add a salad or vegetable to meals- this also helps to lower the overall G.I.

· A meal based mainly on low G.I. food may improve insulin sensitivity (Insulin is the hormone which helps control blood glucose). The WHO/FAO report list low G.i. foods as a possible factor for decreasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and reducing risk of weight gain (WHO/FAO,2003).

· Low G.I. foods such as Mulberry Basmati rice are great for carbohydrate loading before a sports event and high G.I. foods like a glucose drink provide fast release carbohydrate, quickly replacing glucose in the blood stream after an event.

· Low G.I. rice can also help to reduce blood Cholestrol as part of a heart healthy diet.

· A low G.I. diet, along with lifestyle changes, may also benefit those with Metabolic syndrome (a condition characterized by reduced insulin sensitivity, obesity, high blood pressure and abnormal blood fats).

For our Expert Advice on Basmati Rice, please email us at:
neha.sharma@namasteyjee.com