CHOOSE THESE INSTEAD OF WHITE RICE AND PROCESSED NOODLES.
CHOOSE THESE INSTEAD OF WHITE RICE AND PROCESSED NOODLES.
White rice, sugary bread, cakes and pastries are considered bad carbs as they are highly refined and processed. On the other hand, whole grains and wholewheat products are seen as good carbs, as they are higher in fibre, vitamins and minerals, and take a longer time to be digested.
If you’ve only been eating white rice, white bread and processed noodles, now’s the time to start incorporating whole grains into your diet.
These options will satisfy your longing for rice and noodles without packing on copious amounts of carbs. When prepared right, they are downright nutritious and tasty!
Super Life Co. Asian Quinoa Packs (from $8.90 per pack, http://www.superlife.co)
Quinoa is favoured by foodies because it has three times the protein and fibre than white rice. Plus, the tiny morsels are so fun to chew. These quick-prep quinoa packs come in an assortment of flavours – mushroom, Japanese, Korean kimchi, spicy curry and Thai green curry – and only require you to add water to the ingredients in a rice cooker. No rinsing required!
Superlife also carries plain quinoa products if you wish to whip up something from scratch.
Miracle Noodle Kitchen Ready-To-Eat Spaghetti ($29.40 for 200g, http://www.redmart.com and http://www.thecleverconsumer.com)
These noodles contain just 3g carbs and 10 calories per 100g serving. A regular serving of pasta has 25g carbs and 130 calories. Also known as shirataki noodles, they are made from konjac flour, which is mostly water (97 percent) and fibre (3 percent), so you’ll feel full faster and for longer. Just don’t expect them to taste like wheat noodles. These have a jelly-like texture and little flavour of their own. Serve them in sauce-based dishes such as spaghetti bolognese and laksa for a yummy meal. Another bonus: No food coma afterwards.
Maggi Oatmee ($2.95 for four packs, major supermarkets)
Instant noodle junkies, consider this your healthier choice. Made with 51 percent wholegrain oat flour, one serving of Maggi Oatmee has about 4g of fibre, which is equivalent to a cup of oatmeal. The noodles are chewier and springier than other dry instant mee we’ve tried, and we think this actually slowed down our eating and promoted mindfulness. There are two flavours: savoury soy chicken and curry. To cut the sodium level, halve the seasoning.
Hakubaku Multi Grains For Rice – 16 Grains ($16.50 for 15 packets, selected supermarkets)
Jazz up white rice by adding these mixed grains and seeds to cook together. They consist of barley, brown rice, adlay (job’s tears), corn, proso millet, black rice, red rice, amaranth, quinoa, oxtail millet, black sesame, white sesame, sorghum, adzuki beans, barnyard millet and black soya beans. All are high in fibre as well as essential vitamins and minerals. You’ll also get extra flavour and texture!
