Is puffed rice useful, how to make it at home

Delicious, nutritious, unusually light puffed rice is a favorite children's breakfast. Health-conscious people also know a lot about this snack. But what are the benefits and harms of puffed rice and what are its properties - discussed in the article further.

What is puffed rice

Crispy rice can be called a kind of "popcorn". But it is not made from corn, but from ordinary white rice grains. Thanks to heat treatment and a special cooking method, the hard grains turn into a crunchy delicacy, which retains its useful properties.

According to some sources, the dish was invented in India, while others claim that it is a Thai appetizer. It is now common in traditional cuisine as an appetizer and dessert.

How puffed rice is made

On an industrial scale, the process of producing puffed rice is quite labor intensive. The enterprise uses special cannons to explode grain. Exploded delicacy is obtained after a series of chemical and thermal treatments.

1. To prepare a healthy dish, use ordinary white rice.
2. The grains are cleaned, sorted out, dried.
3. Prepared rice is placed in a special cannon. Within 2 minutes, it is exposed to high temperatures and high pressure. Because of this, the grain changes at the cellular level: it is literally "inflated".
4. The finished grains are poured into a special rotating container.
5. Rice is combined with various additives: for example, sweet syrup.
6. Then the grains are thoroughly dried.
7. The finished delicacy is pressed into small briquettes, packaged and sent for sale.

You do not need to add additional impurities to ready-made rice and use it in the form of diet bread. Their beneficial properties will be appreciated by people who take care of their health.

Chemical composition and calorie content of puffed rice

Crispy rice is quite a healthy, high-calorie and nutritious dish that is rich in trace elements and valuable nutrients.

Chemical composition per 100 g of product

The calorie content of the product is 349 kcal, which is slightly more than 20% of the daily requirement.

Why puffed rice is useful for the body

Exploded rice contains many substances that have a beneficial effect on the human body. And due to its low calorie content, it will bring benefit people adhering to diets, including for medical reasons.

The beneficial properties of "exploded" rice also include the following:

• the product contains a lot of coarse dietary fibers that help cleanse the intestines from toxins, radionuclides and toxins;
• "Exploded" grain is well absorbed in the body;
• useful complex carbohydrates are favorable for satisfying hunger for several hours;
• the absence of gluten in a diet dish makes it hypoallergenic;
• useful amino acids have a beneficial effect on the work of the heart;
• The lecithin in puffed rice is beneficial for the brain;
• grains in finished form do not contain cholesterol;
• persistent starch in the composition of the product is favorable for the growth of beneficial microflora, which is important for the intestines;
• insoluble fiber can help protect against cancer cells;
• the beneficial properties of potassium eliminate the harm of excess fluid in the body, which can affect pressure and weight reduction;
• the enveloping action of rice is beneficial for gastritis and stomach ulcers;
• the content of the group of B vitamins helps to normalize the functioning of the nervous system and improve sleep;
• significant indicators of calcium, iron, zinc help to strengthen the skeletal system;
• the product helps to increase lactation;
• helps to eliminate bad breath.

Is it possible to eat puffed rice while losing weight

Crispy rice is high in starch and complex carbohydrates. These substances provoke excess weight gain.

However, it is worth remembering a wonderful rule - everything is good in moderation. Even neutral rice loaves should not be carried away, since an overabundance of food can turn benefits into harm.

Cooking puffed rice recipes

Sweet puffed rice can be made at home, and the homemade product is as good as the store's one. To prepare the base, you will need round rice and vegetable oil. Then everything depends on the taste and imagination of the hostess.

Classic puffed rice

The classic recipe for making sweet puffed rice at home. On its basis, you can create other healthy snacks and delicious desserts.

Ingredients:

• round rice - 2 cups;
• refined oil.

Cooking method:

1. Rice is boiled in a large volume of water for 20 - 25 minutes, slightly overcooking, but not turning into a sticky mass.
2. The grains are poured into a colander, dried, spreading on paper napkins.
3. Finally, the rice grains are dried in the oven on baking paper, in one layer, at temperatures up to 110 ° C for 1.5-2 hours. It is also possible to dry puffed rice in the microwave.
4. To "blow up" the prepared rice, a little oil is poured into a frying pan, heated up and rice is spread in small portions, which should immediately "explode": this will be a sign that everything is done correctly according to the technology.

Chocolate bars with puffed rice

A very simple recipe for making chocolate bars with puffed rice will not leave indifferent any sweet tooth. Children enjoy eating these small chocolates. Before cooking, you need to make puffed rice or purchase a finished product.

Ingredients:

• sweet puffed rice - 60 g;
• dark chocolate - 100 g.

Cooking method:

1. Pieces of chocolate are placed in a bowl. Then it is melted in a water bath.
2. Puffed rice is poured into another dish, to which melted chocolate is added. Mix everything well until smooth.
3. The baking dish is covered with cling film, rice is spread on it, evenly distributed in shape and everything is completely wrapped in plastic.
4. The mixture is removed to the refrigerator.
5. After 40 minutes, the mold is taken out, the film is removed and the bars are cut into equal parts.

The dish is wrapped in paper and stored in the refrigerator.

Harm of puffed rice and contraindications

Main contraindications:

• some components of the finished product can cause allergies: in order to avoid harm, you should carefully study the label;
• people with diabetes mellitus are prohibited from rice due to the large amount of starch that can be harmful for this disease;
• due to phytic acid in the product, iron is poorly absorbed in the body: therefore, contraindications concern iron deficiency anemia;
• excess rice causes constipation;
• an overdose of a product in the diet can also affect male potency;
• the product causes a risk of constipation;
• and can also cause atherosclerosis and kidney stones.

Storing puffed rice

To preserve the beneficial properties of puffed rice for a long time, it is necessary to observe the conditions for its storage:

• rice is placed in a dry glass jar, which is hermetically closed;
• the finished product is stored for up to 12 months;
• storage temperature of puffed rice - 10 - 20 ° С with relative humidity up to 75%.

Conclusion

Crispy grains are a wonderful product, but it is worth remembering what the benefits and harms of puffed rice are. The main advantages of the product are its lightness, the ability to quickly saturate, improving bowel function. The negative effect is manifested in cases of abuse of the dish, its individual intolerance and problems with blood sugar.