Chemical composition of shirataki rice and its calorie content. Useful properties of the product and harm to the human body. How is unusual rice eaten and what is its peculiarity? Recipes for dishes using it.
Shirataki rice is a natural dietary product that is recommended for overweight people and adherents of a healthy lifestyle. These grains are not harvested in rice fields, but are made from a special kind of flour. For the most part, they are made up of dietary fiber and have virtually no calories. What other advantages does shirataki have and why is it not recommended for use by children and pregnant women? Let's consider in more detail the chemical composition of the product and its consumer properties.
The composition and calorie content of shirataki rice
You will not find fat, sugar or salt in shirataki rice. 96% of the product mass is dietary fiber. There are also not many useful substances here - sodium (Na) is present in a small amount - in 100 g of the product 0.3 mg.
According to the traditional recipe, shirataki rice contains only a few ingredients:
- Flour extracted from the tubers of a perennial plant called konnyaku;
- Purified water;
- Thickener E526.
This type of rice can be sold in regular or frozen form. Sometimes salt is added to its composition. The manufacturer does not recommend that consumers freeze dry friable rice packed in a sealed package on their own.
The calorie content of shirataki rice per 100 g is 9 kcal, of which:
- Proteins - 0 g;
- Fat - 0 g;
- Carbohydrates - 0.6 g;
- Dietary fiber - 0 g;
- Water - 0 g.
Energy ratio b / w / y - 0%: 0%: 27%.
For reference:
- The root of the konnyaku plant is shaped like a beet. It is suitable not only for the extraction of flour, but also for consumption raw.
- One standard package of shirataki rice contains 340 g of product.
Useful properties of shirataki rice
Shirataki is easy to prepare and is considered a healthier counterpart to Mivina and other instant noodles. However, the popularity of rice is due to another advantage - this product contributes to weight loss. Shirataki is easy to digest, contains no fat, and is satisfying enough. The product is included in the dietary food, so it can be consumed without restrictions.
The benefits of shirataki rice for the human body:
- Normalization of blood pressure and cholesterol levels … Diet grain, entering the body, performs the function of an absorbent, absorbs harmful substances and removes them outside. Cholesterol negatively affects blood pressure, so the less it is in the blood, the healthier the human cardiovascular system.
- Cleanses the intestines … Fiber, which is the most in rice, does not dissolve in the stomach, but mechanically cleanses the gastrointestinal tract. Thanks to this, the stool is normalized, the heaviness in the abdomen disappears.
- Suitable for diabetics … The product does not contain sugar, which negatively affects the health of insulin dependent people. Also, rice does not contain carbohydrates, so its consumption leads to a decrease in the volume of glucose in the blood.
- Does not cause allergies … The product contains no flavors, dyes or other chemicals that are toxic to the human body.
Anyone can buy shirataki rice, the product is relatively inexpensive and is sold in specialized grocery stores. The easiest way is to order it in the online store. The grains are packed in a special two-layer package with a small transparent window so that the buyer can see what the product looks like.
Contraindications and harm of shirataki rice
A product of natural origin cannot harm the human body, but there is also no great benefit in it. People suffering from loss of weight and appetite can experience the harm of shirataki rice.
When doing hard physical work, it is almost impossible to get the proper charge of energy from this type of rice. Due to the lack of vitamins and beneficial microelements, shirataki are not recommended to include in the diet of people who are in a postoperative state or are trying to recover from a serious illness.
Also, eating a low-calorie product is not recommended for pregnant, lactating women and minor children. These categories of consumers need to get as many nutrients as possible with food, which are practically absent in shirataki.
Even a healthy adult who decides to lose weight with Asian rice should consult a specialist before experimenting with their diet.
How to cook shirataki rice?
In the store, this product is already sold semi-finished. The cook only needs to rinse the grains and boil them in water. Although, according to the traditional recipe, it is better to cook the product in broth.
Note! It is important to throw the grains into the boiling liquid and cook for no longer than 2 minutes so that they do not boil.
Before serving, the dish can be seasoned with different types of sauce. Often this rice is eaten as a side dish with vegetables or meat.
On a note:
- If you bought rice frozen, you should not defrost it before cooking.
- Any kind of shirataki should be stored in the refrigerator if the tightness of its packaging has been broken. In general, the product is usable for 12 months from the date of manufacture.
Shirataki rice recipes
Many lovers of shirataki rice, having tried it for the first time, were unpleasantly surprised - the finished product has a snow-white color, practically has no smell and taste. In such a situation, you should not be exposed to the general opinion: if you cook the rice correctly, the dish will come out fragrant and very tasty! To make a culinary masterpiece in your kitchen, you will need Ducan Shirataki Rice Recipes.
Ducan is a successful doctor from France who developed a diet that is popular around the world and named after him. Thanks to Ducan's advice, a person can quickly lose pounds without limiting themselves to protein foods and other foods that overweight people love so much.
A lot of people have already gained a slender waist thanks to this method. The main thing is that after completing the course of losing weight, a person does not gain weight again. Hearty shirataki rice is great for the low-carb diets of the Ducan diet.
TOP 5 recipes for shirataki rice for home cooking:
- Rice with chicken … To prepare the dish, you will need 350 g of chicken fillet. Rinse the meat under running water and cut into slices. Rub it with a marinade made from 1 tsp. wine vinegar and 2 tsp. French herbs. Simmer the chicken for about 10 minutes over moderate heat. Then add 3/4 tbsp to the meat. water and 340 g of shirataki. Simmer the porridge without closing the lid of the pot. At the same time, add the chopped onion and 2 tbsp. l. tomato paste. Salting the dish is optional.
- Meat balls with rice … Rinse 1 pack of shirataki and pour boiling water over the rice (the liquid should completely cover the grains). Leave the porridge to infuse for a few minutes. At this time, finely chop 1 onion. Mix together rice, onion and 0.5 kg of minced meat (choose beef or chicken at your discretion). Add salt and seasonings to the prepared mixture to your taste. Roll the minced meat into balls, the size of your palm or slightly smaller. Place the pieces in a baking dish. Pour the special sauce over the meatballs. To prepare the gravy, you will need to beat 200 g of kefir (preferably with a low percentage of fat) with 1 tsp until smooth. tomato paste and 1 egg. You can add a little salt to the finished sauce. Bake the balls for 40 minutes.
- Stuffed tomatoes … Cook the rice. Add 1 chopped onion, a clove of garlic and a few sprigs of parsley to the porridge. Toss ingredients with ground beef (200 g). The resulting meat mass should be enough for 4 large tomatoes. To stuff tomatoes, cut a volumetric cavity into them. Bake the stuffed tomatoes in the oven for 30 minutes.
- Vegetarian rice salad … Boil 1 packet of shirataki and combine with finely chopped vegetables. For a vegetarian salad, a few tomatoes, cucumber and bell peppers (preferably yellow) are optimal. The proportions of vegetables can be varied according to your individual preferences. Season the salad with lemon juice and olive oil. Season with salt and a few pieces of mint. Before serving, the finished dish should be cooled slightly in the refrigerator. Thanks to this, the rice will absorb all the aromas of vegetables and seasonings.
- Vegetable stew with rice … Boil a bag of rice in boiling water for a few minutes. In parallel with this process, prepare the vegetables - fry the chopped onion and a clove of garlic in heated olive oil. Add two zucchini to the browned ingredients. Zucchini is best cut into small cubes. Season the semi-finished stew with salt and pepper. Put it out for about 15 minutes, while the heat should be moderate. Then combine the vegetables with the rice and simmer the stew over moderate heat for another 5 minutes. Sprinkle the finished dish with chopped parsley leaves.
Shirataki can be used to make a lot of sweet desserts and even drinks. Muffins, puddings, smoothies and sugary dietary rice porridge prove you can eat sweets without getting fat!
Note to the cook! Olive oil and lemon juice are ideal for dressing Asian rice dishes.
Interesting facts about shirataki rice
In Asia, shirataki products have been actively consumed for over 2000 years. The largest volumes are consumed by Japan. Around 200 tons of various products made from konnyaku flour are eaten here annually, this is not only rice, but also vermicelli, spaghetti and even fettuccine (one of the varieties of pasta). All types of products are made from the same type of flour, so they can easily replace each other.
Various types of shirataki products are included in the national dishes of Japan. For example, ready-made noodles are served with seafood, tofu and various vegetables. Diet rice is indispensable for making sushi.
However, shirataki rice receives positive reviews not only from the inhabitants of Asia. In European countries, an exotic product is preferred to be added to various types of soup.
Another interesting fact about homemade rice is that it contains an additive under the number E526. In the scientific literature, this food substance is called calcium hydroxide, and in the people - lime. It is actively used not only as a food additive - it is indispensable in the following industries:
- Construction - the walls are whitewashed with lime, it is added to cement mortars and silicate concrete.
- Medicine - Calcium hydroxide is used as a disinfectant in dentistry.
- Energy - lime is indispensable in the organization of the grounding structure.
- Agriculture - calcium hydroxide is used for the manufacture of fertilizers, it also perfectly neutralizes acidic soils.
Many consumers have a question - can shirataki rice be harmful to human health due to the fact that it contains such a specific food additive? Scientists claim that it belongs to the category of safe. However, it should be consumed in moderation. If you regularly supersaturate the body with calcium hydroxide, you can provoke the formation of kidney stones or the development of pancreatitis. The mass of this substance in Asian rice is normal, therefore, in reasonable doses, this product will not harm the consumer.
How to cook shirataki rice - watch the video:
Shirataki is a natural product that is mainly used for weight loss. In this regard, Shirataki Dukan rice was appreciated at its true worth. A French doctor has developed an effective diet that has received worldwide recognition. Asian rice is easily included in the diet. If you are unable to purchase this product, you can replace it with any type of shirataki noodles - they are also low in calories and are made from the same products as rice. You should not overuse food that is poor in nutrients. It is important to approach the process of cleansing the body thoroughly and consult a doctor on this issue.