As living standards continue to rise, we often hear at the dinner table, "Eat less rice and more dishes. Rice has no nutrition; the nutrition is all in the dishes." On the surface, this seems quite reasonable. However, from a scientific nutritional perspective, if this practice continues for a long time, it is extremely detrimental to one's health.
Rice and noodles are the staple foods for Chinese people. The reason they are called staples, while a variety of dishes are called non-staples, is inseparable from the eating habits of the Chinese people from ancient times to the present. Our Chinese nation has always treated rice and noodles as essential foods. The eating habits and nutritional absorption patterns of a nation are not easily changed in just one or two generations; they have been formed through a process of evolution spanning tens of thousands of years.
Carbohydrates are the "basic raw materials" our bodies need. 50% to 60% of the total energy a person obtains in a day comes from carbohydrates. The main component of rice and noodles is precisely carbohydrates, which can be directly converted into energy. Furthermore, compared with rich dishes like meat and fish, rice is much easier to digest. Why is it that we can eat rice for a lifetime without getting tired of it, but after eating rich dishes for a few consecutive days, we lose our appetite? This is because rich dishes are strong in flavor, color, and oil. Eating too much of them can cause significant irritation to the digestive system. In contrast, the taste of rice and noodles is very light, and even daily consumption will not be repulsive. Excessive intake of rich dishes places a heavy burden on the digestive system. Some people believe that eating more vegetables is harmless. This is certainly reasonable. However, vegetables stir-fried with excessive cooking oil should also not be eaten in large amounts, as this can easily lead to high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity.
Nutritionists do not advocate for the absolute view of "eat more dishes, less rice." They promote a scientific and reasonable combination of staples and non-staples, with staples accounting for the absolute majority. Additionally, one must also consider the stage of life each person is in. For example, teenagers are in a stage of physical growth and have high levels of activity. It is very necessary to appropriately increase non-staples to scientifically absorb nutrients.
Nowadays, the number of people with digestive system diseases has increased compared to the past. The trend of the disease occurring at a younger age, especially among teenagers, is related to the indiscriminate "mindless eating" of many only children who are doted on at home. This unhealthy dietary concept of "eat less rice, more dishes" should be corrected promptly.