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Nutritionist Reveals White Rice as Easiest-to-Digest Carb, Debunks Common Myths

Nutritionist Reveals White Rice as Easiest-to-Digest Carb, Debunks Common Myths

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Nutritionist Diego Sívori identifies white rice as the most easily digestible carbohydrate, contrary to common belief.
  • He clarifies that the difficulty in digestion often comes from accompanying ingredients like cheese, sauces, and processed meats, not the rice or pasta itself.
  • Sívori also offers advice on other dietary topics, including cold legumes for muscle maintenance, the impact of alcohol color on hangovers, and the caloric content of ice cream versus its perceived cooling effect.

Nutritionist Diego Sívori has identified white rice as the carbohydrate most easily digested by the human body, challenging a widespread misconception. Appearing on LN+, Sívori explained that while many perceive carbohydrates as difficult to digest, rice is actually an exception.

There is nothing easier to digest than a plate of rice.

— Diego SívoriIdentifying white rice as the most easily digestible carbohydrate.

"There is nothing easier to digest than a plate of rice," Sívori stated. He further specified that white rice is preferable to brown rice for optimal digestibility. Sívori emphasized that the real culprits behind digestive issues are often the "friends" of these carbohydrates – ingredients like cheese, sauces, and processed meats, rather than the rice or pasta themselves.

Beyond rice, Sívori shared other nutritional insights. He recommended consuming cold legumes as a refreshing option that also supports muscle mass. Addressing the common summer indulgence of ice cream, he noted that while it provides a cooling sensation, it is calorie-dense. "Eating hot does not mean eating caloric. And eating cold does not mean eating low-calorie," Sívori explained, using ice cream as a prime example where 70% of its calories convert to body heat and only 30% to energy.

For all those who want to refresh themselves without neglecting muscle mass, eat cold legumes.

— Diego SívoriOffering advice on healthy summer food choices.

Sívori also touched upon alcoholic beverages, identifying colored drinks, particularly aperitifs, as those that tend to cause more severe hangovers. He explained the link between alcohol consumption and fat storage, describing caloric intake as an "autopista" (highway). Excessive alcohol consumption leads the body to demand significant energy, with any excess being stored as abdominal fat.

The caloric intake is a highway. For example, if you consume a lot of excess with alcohol, then the body will demand a lot of energy from you.

— Diego SívoriExplaining the relationship between alcohol consumption and fat storage.

Regarding fruits, Sívori highlighted melon and watermelon as hydrating choices for summer. He pointed out that a slice of watermelon contains less sugar than a single candy and provides satiety, hydration, and fiber. He also suggested freezing red grapes as a healthy and convenient snack, noting their brain-protective properties.

Eating hot does not mean eating caloric. And eating cold does not mean eating low-calorie.

— Diego SívoriClarifying the misconception about temperature and calorie content in food.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.