Why parents should reconsider rice in children's diets
Rice is an ingredient found in many dishes that young children enjoy. It is also used in ready-made cereals, rice cakes, and drinks. It is often considered healthy and easy to digest. However, a dietitian has highlighted an important concern.
Anna Jedrej, a clinical dietitian, has revisited the topic of rice on her Instagram profile. Some time ago, she recorded a video emphasising the significance of proper storage. She pointed out that leaving cooked rice on the kitchen counter at room temperature is a significant error, as it creates an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria that cause food poisoning. What issue has the expert raised this time?
The amount of rice is important
In her new video, the dietitian poses an important question to parents: do they consider the amount of rice in their infants' or young children's diet? Drinks, rice cakes, cereals, porridges, desserts... rice is found in many products. It has a neutral taste and rarely causes allergies, which is why food manufacturers often choose it. But where does the risk lie?
It's worth diversifying the diet
The dietitian brought attention to arsenic, a chemical element that naturally occurs in the soil. There has been increasing discussion about its health risks.
- Rice has a tendency to accumulate inorganic arsenic due to its specific physiology and growing conditions – it is cultivated in flooded fields, which often contain natural or pollution-derived arsenic, points out Anna Jedrej.
Children are particularly sensitive to the toxic effects of arsenic. Their bodies are in a phase of rapid growth, making them more susceptible to faster absorption. Both white and brown rice contain substantial amounts of arsenic, as do all products based on this grain. The dietitian refers to studies indicating that children with excessive arsenic showed poorer IQ, memory, and intellectual abilities. However, she maintains no need to eliminate rice from the diet. She highlights the importance of monitoring its quantity and avoiding daily consumption. She emphasises the value of incorporating other grains, such as oats or barley, into meals. A good alternative is products based on quinoa or amaranth, which contain less arsenic than rice. She also mentions methods to help reduce the amount of arsenic in rice.
What does the dietitian recommend?
- Rinse rice before cooking until the water becomes almost clear,
- Soak rice for several hours before cooking,
- Cook rice in a large amount of water (1:6) and then drain the water,
- Use polished rice, which contains up to 50% less arsenic.
