Rude Food by Vir Sanghvi: Going against the grain

Rice is taking over, even in the wheat-loving north. It’s seen as the smarter Indian’s staple too. Here’s the lowdown on gut, gluten and grain selection

It wasn’t until I went to boarding school in north India that I realised that many people thought of rice as a soft or flabby food that made people fat. Wheat, on the other hand, was hailed as the food of champions and strongmen. (It was a boys-only school so we had no idea what made women strong.)

While wheat was hailed as a the better grain before, rice and rice dishes are now taking over the spot. (ADOBE STOCK)

Arborio, a risotto rice, isn’t the best option if you’re looking for healthy rice.

Jasmine rice, used in dishes such as Thai curries, scores high on the glycaemic index. (ADOBE STOCK)

Not all rice is good for you. Basmati is less healthy than brown rice. (ADOBE STOCK)

If you want to eat rice that is better for your blood sugar, or does not make you put on much weight, then go by the GI numbers. (ADOBE STOCK)