One thing surely ties Southeast Asians together: rice. Rice is the most common staple food in this tropical region. Whether urban or rural, rich or not, rice is always on the table. Its role is diverse, from daily cuisines to traditional ceremonies.
But what if we need to start eating less rice right now?
Our dependence on rice can harm food security in the face of climate change, while the population continues to rise. If this continues, someday, rice production won't meet what people need. Overconsumption of rice can also lead to health problems. It's about time to consider whether eating too much of it is doing more harm than good.
Why do Southeast Asians love rice?
Rice has been produced and consumed for generations, making it a fundamental part of local culture. This is one of the reasons most Southeast Asians eat rice every day. It has been part of people's daily life.
Rice can be a main dish, side dish, or even dessert. Its neutral flavor can be combined with many other foods. It can also be cooked into a whole different flavor. Nasi Lemak from Malaysia, Nasi Goreng from Indonesia, Khao Pad from Thailand, and Cơm Tấm from Viet Nam are some examples of how rice can transform into rich-flavored dishes. This made people's dependence on rice rise.
Nutritional problems in Southeast Asia
According to FAO, one of the nutritional problems in rice-consuming countries is unbalanced dietary intake. Rice as a staple is eaten with proteins or vegetables, but the composition is not balanced. It can cause protein-energy malnutrition, anemia, and vitamin A deficiency.
Singapore’s Health Promotion Board (HPB) also urges people to eat less white rice because of its potential to cause diabetes. Sugar in rice can do harm just like sugary drinks.
If we plan to cut sugar in our diet, then we need to eat less rice too.
Rethingking Our Plate
With the world's population and urbanization continuing to grow, but rice production continuing to decline, it can lead to an imbalance in supply and demand in the near future. High prices and rice shortages already happen in some countries.
Rice shortage will cause food insecurity. It will also increase the incidences of public health issues and poverty among Southeast Asians. People's dependence on rice can cause health problems such as stunting, malnutrition, and hunger when shortages happen.
For households struggling with poverty, it will be a big problem when rice has high prices. People need to have other choices besides rice.
Climate change, a threat to our future, also plays a role in rice production. Longer dry spells make it more difficult to grow rice because of increased water needs and greater challenges related to soil degradation.
What should we eat more if we eat less rice?
By not replacing rice as a staple, people can eat more protein and vegetables so the dietary intake could be more balanced. Balanced nutrition can improve health and decrease the potential for stunting and malnutrition.
But if rice needs to be replaced, the alternatives could be cassava, corn, sago, and whole grains. Maybe they can't replace rice entirely, as they are less easy to combine with other foods. But collectively, they can improve food security in the future.
References:
https://www.csis.org/blogs/new-perspectives-asia/politics-rice-and-security-southeast-asia
https://globalvoices.org/2016/05/17/singaporeans-are-urged-to-eat-less-rise-as-fears-grow-about-links-to-diabetes/
https://www.fao.org/4/aq656e/aq656e.pdf
https://www.fao.org/4/t0567e/T0567E05.htm
