For a Bengali, a meal without rice never seems to satisfy hunger; that is why Bengalis are said to be made of fish and rice. But many people now leave rice off their plates for fear that it makes them put on weight. Is rice really bad for health?

According to celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, rice has great health benefits and supplies the body with many nutrients. Rice eaten in moderation will not make you gain weight but will meet the body's need for various nutrients. Here are 10 reasons to keep rice on your plate.

• Rice is a source of carbohydrates and so is called a powerhouse. Eating rice gives the body the energy it needs.
• Rice contains prebiotics, which keep the stomach full for a long time and even destroy germs in the gut.
• Brown rice, that is unrefined rice, gives the most nutrients, so keep brown rice in your diet.
• Rice keeps blood sugar stable. When rice is eaten with lemon, ghee and meat, blood sugar stays stable.
• Rice is easily digested, which leads to good sleep and helps keep hormones in balance.
• Rice is good for the skin too. It helps get rid of enlarged pores caused by high prolactin levels.
• Rice promotes hair growth. Many people lose hair because of thyroid problems, and rice is very helpful for such patients.
• Every part of the rice grain can be used. Rice can be made into bhat, payesh, kheer and more, and rice flour into various pithas.
• Rice is a hypoallergenic food. Those who do not want to eat rice can have flour, noodles or roti instead as alternatives.
• Rice is local, seasonal and part of food heritage. It sustains health, the economy and the ecosystem. Rice is worth no less than pure gold.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.