Should you include Arborio rice in your fitness diet plan?

Most people are constantly striving to achieve a healthy lifestyle. To achieve that goal, you must remember that all fitness plans must include integral activities which take into account the right exercise routine and nutritive diets.

A fitness lifestyle starts knowing the proper physical and dietary needs. Not all exercises or diets will work for any person, so you must do some research and choose the right one for you, which would likely involve making a good schedule of proper workout and food programs, and if you’re into fitness, learning the different exercises like the main types of culs compared as these exercises are important too.

Regardless of the exercise you choose, a balance between calories intake and usage must be followed. This consideration will help you to stay fit and look great.

Food plans should have adequate meals with all nutrients your body needs to work properly. Therefore, you have to decide what type of food you put on your shopping list.

As a general rule, all fitness foods require:

• Whole grains: whole wheat (pasta), oatmeal, brown rice, corn, barley, bulgur, quinoa, etc.
• Fruits: bananas, berries, oranges, grapes, apples, kiwi, watermelon, among others.
• Vegetables: broccoli, kale, spinach, tomato, carrots, cabbage, and so much more.
• Lean meat: Fish, eggs, skinless chicken, red meat, turkey, and pork chop.
• Plant-based proteins: Tofu, tempeh, edamame, lentils, peanuts, almonds, quinoa and spirulina.
• Healthy fat sources: nuts, seeds, avocados, olives oils.

Rice as a key fitness ingredient

Deciding which type of food to buy for your diet plan could not be too easy. You can start by gradually adding different ingredients to create your perfect and equilibrated meals. Undoubtedly one of the foods you must include from the beginning is rice.

The vast variety of rice types can be overwhelming too. However, you have to remember that all rice types have a lot of benefits for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. These include:

• Good source of carbohydrates.
• High protein content.
• Good vitamins and minerals content.
• Easy to digest.
• Keep diseases away.
• Gluten-free.
• Low in fat.
• Easy to prepare.
• Mild flavor.
• Economic price. 

There is no excuse not to use rice in your diet plans. If you feel that normal white rice is always your safe choice, try other varieties such as Basmati, Jasmine, or Arborio.

For example, 100 grams of Arborio rice has the following nutritional contents:

• Calories: 340 grams.
• Protein: 7.55 grams.
• Carbohydrates: 75 grams.
• Fat: 1 gram.
• Fiber: 4 grams.
• Potassium: 85 mg. 

How to include Arborio rice in a fitness plan?

Arborio is a short grain with an oval-shaped and pearly white exterior. Its high amylopectin starch content results in firm, chewy, and creamy rice.

It is used to prepare risottos, rice puddings, paellas, arancini, and soups. For learning more about this versatile grain check the following link https://riceselect.com/product/arborio and enjoy cooking some of the recipes.

You can also try these recipes and include them in your fitness plan.

Healthy Risotto

This healthy risotto is rich in vitamins and can keep you fuller for a long time. It has broccoli, leek and basil.

 Ingredients (2 servings):

•  ½ cup of Arborio rice.
• 2 teaspoons of reduced-salt vegetable broth.
• 2 tablespoons of rapeseed oil.
• 1 large chopped leek.
• 2 garlic cloves.
• 1 pack of basil.
• Lemon juice
• 200 grams of broccoli.

 Preparation:

1. In a saucepan, pour oil and cook leek until soft.
2. Add garlic, basil, lemon juice, and 3 tablespoons of water. Stir very well. Set aside.
3. In another saucepan, incorporate vegetable broth and Arborio rice. Bring to a boil.
4. Add broccoli and the leek mixture. Mix very well.
5. Cook until rice is tender. 

Vegetable soup with Arborio rice

It is a comforting and full of flavor soup.

Ingredients (4 servings):

• 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
• 2 diced sticks of celery.
• 2 diced carrots.
• 1 diced onion.
• 1 bay leaf.
• 1 cup of Arborio rice.
• 6 cups of chicken broth.
• ½ cup of frozen peas.
• Sea salt to taste. 

Preparation:

1. In a Dutch oven, pour olive oil and cook at medium heat. Add onion, bay leaf, carrots, celery, and salt. Cook until they are soft.
2. Incorporate rice, and mix until it is completely covered with all vegetables. Pour chicken broth.
3. Simmer until rice is tender.
4. Add frozen peas and salt to taste.