Chestnuts are a snack loved by many, and their small size makes them seem low in calories. But did you know that 8 chestnuts are equivalent to the calories in a bowl of rice? So, what are the benefits of eating chestnuts?
Steamed Chestnuts
8 chestnuts, assuming they are on the larger side, weigh about 100 grams after being cooked. According to the "China Food Composition Table," 100 grams of cooked chestnuts contain 214 kilocalories.
184 grams of rice would contain about 214 kilocalories, which is made from about 65-70 grams of uncooked rice. This is slightly more than the amount of rice served in a cafeteria for one "liang" (a traditional unit of weight, about 50 grams).
Therefore, there's no need to worry too much about the calorie content of chestnuts. Additionally, many people who are afraid of gaining weight skip their rice after eating chestnuts, but consuming only carbohydrates can actually lead to easier weight gain. When chestnuts are used in dishes, such as braised pork with chestnuts or braised chicken with chestnuts, or in chestnut rice, they are equivalent to a multigrain rice. This increases the variety of the meal, combining whole grains with refined ones, which can even be helpful for weight loss.
What are the benefits of eating chestnuts?
Every 100 grams contains 5.7 grams of protein, 2 grams of fat, 40-45 grams of carbohydrates, and 25 grams of starch. The vitamin content in raw chestnuts can be as high as 40-60 milligrams, while in cooked chestnuts, it's about 25 milligrams. Chestnuts also contain inorganic salts such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, and potassium, as well as various other components like carotene and B vitamins.
The benefits of chestnuts are as follows:
1. The rich unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals in chestnuts can help prevent and treat diseases like hypertension, coronary heart disease, arteriosclerosis, and osteoporosis. It is a nourishing delicacy that fights aging and prolongs life.
2. Chestnuts contain riboflavin. Regular consumption of chestnuts is beneficial for persistent canker sores in children and mouth ulcers in adults.
3. Chestnuts are a type of dried fruit with a high carbohydrate content, providing the body with more energy and helping with fat metabolism. They have the effect of replenishing qi and strengthening the spleen, as well as nourishing the stomach and intestines.
4. Chestnuts are rich in vitamin C, which helps maintain the normal function of teeth, bones, blood vessels, and muscles. They can prevent and treat osteoporosis, soreness and weakness in the waist and legs, pain in the muscles and bones, and fatigue. They also slow down the aging process, making them an ideal health fruit for the elderly.
Steam chestnuts