Do you often wonder if the spring rolls you ate for lunch are healthy? Well, they are healthy if their fillings are made of the freshest ingredients. Rice paper wrappers are popular in Vietnamese cuisine and are used to make scrumptious spring rolls.
All said and done, is rice paper really healthy? It is mooted to be a healthful ingredient, but how healthful is it really is? This post has the answers. Read on!
Is Rice Paper Good For You?
Rice flour is low in fat and calories, which is great as it will keep unwanted weight away. When you have a healthy weight, you keep diseases such as obesity, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, etc. away. Your immune system benefits as it gets boosted. With healthy weight, your energy levels also increase.
With so many health benefits, there is no doubt that rice paper is good for you. By preparing it with healthy foods such as vegetables and proteins like shrimp, chicken and lean meats, you can make sure that your body gains nutrition without the calories.
How To Make Rice Paper Even Healthier:
There are plenty of ways to make use of rice paper in your diet and make sure it helps in keeping those calories away. You can create delicious yet nutritious meals with rice paper and lose weight at the same time. Here are a few ways to use rice paper as an aide for WEIGHT LOSS AND a healthy body:
1. Use It Instead Of Breads:
As mentioned earlier, rice paper wrappers make excellent substitutes for breads. Instead of a sandwich made with high-calorie bread for lunch, use rice paper. An 8 ½ inch rice paper wrapper contains about 31 calories per serving while a serving of a single slice of white bread has 80 calories! Which do you think is better for your health and helps more with losing weight?
2. Opt For Veggie Fillings:
In Vietnamese cuisine, rice paper wrappers have fillings of rice noodles or cooked rice to make meals more substantial. Although they are low in fat, rice noodles are rich in calories. For a healthier option, fill rice paper with fresh vegetables like sliced peppers, lettuce, etc. Experts recommend eating 2 to 3 cups of veggies every day. This can effectively help you lose weight. A cup of lettuce that has been shredded is far better than a cup of rice noodles as it will reduce your calorie intake by 185 calories every time. Fiber-rich veggies will also make you feel fuller for a longer period and help in lowering the levels of blood sugar and cholesterol in your body, keeping heart diseases away.
3. Choose Healthy Proteins:
Rice paper wrappers are often filled with a mix of pork, beef and shrimp. For a healthier alternative, make your spring rolls with low-calorie proteins like shrimp. A 3-ounce shrimp serving contains 71 calories less than a lean steak serving. This can help you lose a significant amount of weight over time. By choosing healthier proteins, you make sure that you fill your stomach without taking in those unwanted calories and prevent overeating.
4. Avoid Deep-Frying Rice Paper:
In some cases, rice paper wrappers are used to make rolls that are deep-fried. To make sure that you only eat rice paper that is healthy, avoid frying them. By using only fresh ones, you avoid consuming fats that do nothing for weight loss. The great thing about rice paper is that they do not have to be cooked to be eaten as long as they have been softened. This way, you get a healthy wrapper that is free of oil and fats.
There have been debates about whether rice paper is healthy for you. They are healthy, especially when you use them with fresh, healthy fillings and are not deep-fried. If you want to avoid calories and still have a wholesome meal every day, rice paper wrappers are a great way to do that. They taste amazing and work well with different veggies and low-calorie proteins.
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