In this ancient and vibrant land of China, the table culture can be described as inextricably linked and deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. From south to north and east to west, rice always plays an indispensable role, whether it's a lively family feast or a simple roadside stall.
However, with the change of the times, people's understanding of dietary health has deepened, and some emerging dietary concepts have also begun to rise quietly.
Especially in urban areas, some people are trying to give up rice in favor of vegetables in pursuit of a slimmer figure or a healthier lifestyle.
This change may sound reasonable, after all, who wouldn't want to have a healthy and aesthetically pleasing body?
If we don't eat rice and only eat vegetables, how will our body react after 30 days?
1. The impact of the absence of staple foods
Ah, staple food, that is a big role in the food culture of our Chinese nation. Do you think, if there are three meals a day, and there is no rice, the table will not be empty, and the heart will be empty.
But it's not just a psychological loss, it's also a good lesson for you physically. The staple food is not only to fill the stomach, it is also the main source of energy, especially the carbohydrates, which are the "coal" of our body.
If you don't eat rice, where does this energy come from? Although there is energy in vegetables, the amount is really small compared to rice. In the long run, the body's energy reserves will be insufficient, affecting daily vitality and work efficiency.
And, did you know that rice also has B vitamins and dietary fiber in it, which are essential for maintaining the normal functioning of our body? Without them, your body may have all kinds of minor problems, such as hair loss, dry skin, constipation, etc., which are not trivial.
2. The relationship between obesity and dieting
When it comes to losing weight, you probably think of dieting, which is considered by many to be the golden rule. In today's society, obesity has become a big problem. The proportion of adults in our country who are overweight or obese has risen to more than half, which is not a small number.
Obesity not only affects the appearance, but more importantly, it brings a series of risks to health, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and so on. So, many people have started dieting, hoping to lose weight by reducing their food intake. However, there is also a lot to learn about it.
Dieting, especially the extreme way of eating only vegetables and not rice, may make you see the effects of weight loss in a short period of time, but is this weight loss really healthy?
You may feel like you've lost weight, but it's not about oil, it's about muscle, and it's hard to stick to this way of eating for a long time, and once you return to a normal diet, the weight is likely to rebound.
In addition, dieting may also lead to an imbalance in the body's nutrition, which can bring a series of negative effects to the body, which is not to scare you.
3. The double-edged sword effect of carbohydrates
Carbohydrates, as one of the three major sources of energy in the daily diet, are self-explanatory. In a regular diet, carbohydrates provide about 50%-65% of energy intake. However, carbohydrate intake is like walking a tightrope, and if you are not careful, you can go to two extremes.
On the one hand, carbohydrates are the preferred source of energy for the brain and muscles, especially brain cells, which are almost entirely dependent on glucose, which is a product of carbohydrate metabolism.
When carbohydrate intake is insufficient, the body feels fatigued, unable to concentrate, and even emotionally irritable.
Long-term lack of adequate carbohydrates can also cause the body to switch to breaking down protein for energy, which not only affects muscle building and repair, but can also cause metabolic disorders.
On the other hand, excessive intake of carbohydrates can also cause problems. Excess carbohydrates are converted into fat and stored in the body, which in the long run not only increases weight, but also may lead to metabolic syndrome and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and other diseases. Therefore, carbohydrate intake needs to be carefully controlled to meet the body's needs without overdoing it.
Fourth, gastrointestinal health considerations
When it comes to gastrointestinal health, we have to mention the balance of the diet. The stomach and intestines are the "kitchen" of our body, which is responsible for the digestion and absorption of food, and is the only way for nutrients to enter the body.
A healthy gut requires a coordinated combination of nutrients, not a single food source. Although eating only vegetables can provide a large amount of dietary fiber and vitamins, excessive dietary fiber intake may lead to increased gastrointestinal burden, abdominal distension, diarrhea and other symptoms of indigestion.
In addition, vegetables lack essential proteins and fats, which are important components for maintaining the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal mucosal barrier and digestive enzymes.
Long-term monotonous eating habits can also lead to an imbalance in the intestinal flora. Gut microbiota plays a vital role in our digestive system, they help us break down food, synthesize vitamins, and even affect our immune system.
When there is a lack of diversity in the diet, these beneficial bacteria may decrease due to nutritional deficiencies, and the harmful bacteria may increase as a result, causing intestinal diseases.
In fact, medical studies have confirmed that a balanced diet is essential for maintaining gut health.
For example, a study published in the Journal of Nutrition pointed out that a reasonable intake of carbohydrates can help maintain a balance of gut flora, while excessive dietary fiber intake may be counterproductive.
Therefore, eating only vegetables and not rice may not be a wise choice for gastrointestinal health.
5. Weight-loss strategies combined with exercise
Since dieting alone can pose a series of problems, is there a better strategy for weight loss? The answer is yes, and that is a combination of diet and exercise.
Exercise can help us burn off excess energy, improve the body's metabolic state, but also help improve cardiopulmonary fitness, improve blood lipid and blood sugar levels, and have many health benefits. Moreover, exercise can also help us maintain muscle mass and avoid the muscle loss that is common when dieting.
Exercising doesn't mean you have to go to the gym or run ten kilometers every day. In fact, any activity that makes you sweat counts as exercise. For example, brisk walking, jumping rope, swimming, climbing stairs, and even doing housework are all good forms of exercise. The key is to keep it consistent, with at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise, to help you stay healthy and manage your weight effectively.
epilogue
Going back to our original question, what will happen to the body after 30 days of eating vegetables without rice? The answer is that there may be weight loss, but at the same time, it may also bring a series of problems such as energy deficiency, nutritional imbalance, mood swings, etc.
Moreover, this way of eating is difficult to stick to for a long time, and once you return to a normal diet, the weight is likely to rebound. So, if you're looking to change your diet to improve your health and manage your weight, the best way to do that is to eat a balanced diet with a moderate amount of exercise.