MIND YOUR BODY . 4 Oct 2006 (pg 19)
Q: Will Brown Rice stunt my children's growth?
A: Brown Rice (BR) is the whole grain of rice with only the inedible outer husk removed. Compared with white rice (WR), BR has approx 1.5g of fibre per half cup, which is abt 3 x the fibre of WR. BR also provides us with higher contents of B vits n minerals.
BR is not harmful for growing children. H/w, over-consumption can lead to feelings of bloatedness, due to its high fibre content. This is becoz fibre adds bulk to our diet n hence promotes a sense of satiety.
As such, young children may have no room in their stomachs for other nutritious foods, thus leading to poor weight gain if they are unable to consume sufficient energy n nutrients to meet their growing needs.
Excessive fibre intake may also lower the absoprtion of certain minerals, such as sinc, iron, magnesium n calcium, all of which are impt nutrients for general growth n body functioning. Phytate, which is present in whole grain foods, such as BR, reduces zinc n iron absorption too.
Therefore you may want to ensure that your child consumes a balances diet, including meat, fish and chicken, as these are rich sources of zinc n iron, as well as diary producrs, for adequate calcium intake.
-- reply from a Dietitian, KK hosp