Is Puffed Rice Good For Weight Loss? Let’s Find Out!

What is Puffed Rice?

Puffed rice or murmura, however you like to call it, is a staple ingredient that is commonly used in Indian households. It is processed by heating rice kernels under high pressure in the presence of steam to form puffed grains. It can also be easily fabricated into ready-to-eat cereals. Puffed rice is a healthy and nutritious food with many health benefits. Let’s take a look at the nutritional value of puffed rice.

Nutritional Value of Puffed Rice

How is Puffed Rice or Murmura Good For Weight Loss?

Rich in Complex Carbohydrates

Your body needs carbohydrates for energy. Including complex carbohydrates in your diet has several benefits including weight loss. Puffed rice is rich in complex carbohydrates, which boost your metabolism and thus help you lose weight. 

High in Fiber 

Puffed rice is high in dietary fiber. This helps keep you full for long periods and thus curbs your hunger. Fiber absorbs water and increases in volume inside your stomach. This keeps you satiated and helps you avoid unwanted snacking.

Low in Calories

For losing weight, it is necessary that you are on a calorie deficit. You should aim at burning more calories than you consume. This makes it essential that you choose foods that are low in calories while on a weight loss journey. Puffed rice checks this box too as it has a low calorie count.

Loaded with Nutrients

Puffed rice is nutrient-dense. It is rich in protein, calcium, magnesium, and iron. It is low in unhealthy fats or cholesterol. It helps keep your blood sugar and cholesterol levels in control, and thus promotes weight loss. Being abundant in healthy nutrients and low in fat makes it the perfect weight-loss snack. 

Good for Digestion 

As puffed rice is packed with fiber, it promotes digestion and regulates bowel movements. It stimulates the secretion of digestive juices and thereby increases the absorption of essential nutrients. It prevents gastrointestinal disorders such as bloating, heartburn, constipation, and gas.

Which is the Best Time to Have Puffed Rice for Weight Loss?

Puffed rice can be consumed for breakfast or as an evening snack. As it is high in fiber and complex carbohydrates, it will keep you full and energized for a long period. 

How Much Puffed Rice Can be Consumed in a Day?

You can consume 150 to 170 g of puffed rice in a day. The glycemic index (a value that measures the rise in your blood sugar levels after consuming a particular food) of puffed rice is considered high. Therefore, eating more than the recommended amount per day can increase the risk of developing chronic conditions such as obesity and/or diabetes. 

How to Eat Puffed Rice for Weight Loss?

Make Healthy Bhel Puri

Take puffed rice and add vegetables of your choice such as boiled potatoes, onions, carrots, boiled corn, etc., with coriander or tamarind chutneys and spices such as cumin powder. 

Eat Mildly Sweetened Puffed Rice Balls

Add a small amount of molten jaggery to puffed rice and roll the mixture into balls, to be enjoyed as a healthy snack. 

Make a Spicy Chai Time Snack With Puffed Rice

Roast puffed rice in a skillet with a little bit of oil, curry leaves, peanuts, coconut pieces, and spices such as mustard seeds, cumin seeds, chili powder, turmeric powder, etc. Cook for about 3 to 5 minutes, while stirring frequently. 

Have it for breakfast as a Cereal

Mix puffed rice with a milk of your choice (cow milk, almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk), add in fresh fruits such as bananas for sweetness, and nuts or seeds if desired, to have a healthy start to the day.

Risks of Overconsumption of Puffed Rice for Weight Loss

• Puffed rice is high on the glycemic index. Thus, eating too much of it may put you at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. 
• Puffed rice is a good source of carbohydrates. Thus, eating it regularly in large quantities can lead to weight gain,

What are the Other Health Benefits of Puffed Rice?

Apart from promoting weight loss, puffed rice has several other health benefits:

• The low sodium content in puffed rice helps in regulating your blood pressure and thus promotes heart health. 
• Puffed rice is high in essential nutrients and antioxidants. This helps in boosting your immunity and shielding your body against various infections.
• Being enriched with calcium and vitamin D, puffed rice promotes bone health. Calcium also benefits the functioning of your muscles and nerves. Calcium and vitamin D also play a role in preventing chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.