A SENIOR nutritionist at the Ministry of Health says Solomon Islanders should eat more locally grown root crops, vegetables and fruits than refined food such as rice.
Erica Reeve, senior public health nutritionist, made the comments following a report which linked white rice to diabetes type-2.
Rice is the staple diet in many homes here.
Speaking to the Solomon Star after reading the report, Ms Reeve said the important focus should be that yes, rice is eaten too much but you don’t need to go and buy brown rice.
“Instead use local root vegetables for your energy needs. They are high in fibre and have more nutrients than brown rice,” Ms Reeve said.
“Fruit is also a good source of energy,” she said.
She pointed out that the findings of the US-based study by Harvard University public health scientist highlighted an issue which is very relevant in Solomon Islands.
“This because people consume very large amounts of white rice often several times a day,” she said.
Ms Reeve said that in the past Solomon Islanders relied on root vegetables like cassava, pana, banana and taro for their energy needs.
With the root vegetables they used to add a stack of green vegetables and lean protein like fish.
“But now white rice was commonly eaten in every home,” she said.
Replacing root vegetables with rice has caused significant problems, she added.
“For one, the energy from rice is absorbed very quickly, and this causes your body to increase blood glucose levels which sends messages to your body to gain weight.
“Over time, this can result in diabetes and also increases your risk of heart disease,” she said.
Ms Reeve added that it is not just white rice though, white flour products like bread, noodles and biscuits can also have this effect on the body when eaten in large amounts.
“In addition, these rice and flour products do not have all the vitamins and minerals that we need to be healthy,” she said.
The senior nutritionist said the study confirms relationship between higher consumption of rice and increase cases of diabetes.
“What we are seeing in the country is where rice consumption is increasing at the same time as large numbers of Solomon Islanders are being diagnosed with diabetes.
“It is likely that even larger number of Solomon Islanders are living without knowing that they have diabetes.
“Diabetes can be very damaging and even fatal, but it can be controlled easily through healthy diet and exercise,” she said.
She cautioned that rice is okay to use sometimes, but in small amounts.
“In our diet, it is better to eat foods which increase your blood sugar slowly, keeping you feeling full of energy and from being hungry for a longer period,” she said.
As for the brown rice, Ms Reeve said the reason brown rice was found to be beneficial is that it is full of fibre, nutrients and carbohydrates which are absorbed slowly.
Luckily for Solomon Islanders, root vegetables found in the Solomon Islands have the same effect as brown rice, or perhaps even better, she said.
“They are high in fibre and leave your body feeling full and energized for longer.
“They are cheap, readily available and easy to prepare.
“Therefore it is best to eat them without rice, instead with green vegetables and lean protein like seafood or egg on the side.
“Fruit is another great way to get energy,” she said.
By MOFFAT MAMU
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