Dainty Foods, Division of MRRM (CANADA) Inc. 120 Years of Excellence.

Saturday July 31, 2010.

Rice has been consumed as a diet staple for thousands of years by more than half of the world's population. It has seen a tremendous growth in popularity among North Americans in recent years. This is due in part to the growing recognition of the health benefits associated with eating rice. Not to mention the endless versatility rice offers from the most basic recipes to exotic cuisines.

Rice is quick and easy to prepare. It is an economic choice and an ideal companion to more expensive dishes. Rice is mild in flavor making it an ideal accompaniment to spicy dishes. It enhances the subtleties of fish, chicken or other mildly flavored dishes as well. It is delicious in both traditional and more modern gourmet recipes.

All of these features have made rice a regular for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the world over. In addition to its convenience and simplicity, rice offers important nutritional value. Rice is a complex carbohydrate, vital to fuelling the body. Complex carbohydrates are stored in muscles and released as energy when needed. Nutritionists recommend that over half of our caloric intake should come in the form of complex carbohydrates such as rice. See nutritional chart.

Rice protein is considered one of the highest quality proteins compared to that of other grains. It has all eight essential amino acids necessary building blocks for strong muscles. It is also one of the few foods that is considered non-allergenic. Rice contains no gluten, fat, cholesterol or sodium, making it very well suited for people with special dietary needs.

Best of all, rice can be prepared in countless ways, offering a wide range of delicious alternatives. Its no wonder rice is the world's favourite food!