Lowering the energy density of parboiled rice by adding water-rich vegetables can decrease total energy intake in a parboiled rice-based diet without reducing satiety on healthy women

In this study, we examined whether the energy density of parboiled rice could influence the total energy intake and satiety of a parboiled rice-based diet by using vegetable. Healthy women (n = 30) ate similar amounts of two types of parboiled rice in which energy intake from parboiled vegetable rice (177.7 ± 4.0 kcal) was significantly (p < 0.001) lower than that from parboiled normal rice (301.5 ± 9.3 kcal) due to differences in energy density (parboiled normal rice: 1.42 kcal/g, parboiled vegetable rice: 0.86 kcal/g). Despite lower energy intake, the subjects consumed significantly less parboiled rice and side dishes at dinner after they consumed parboiled vegetable rice diet for lunch compared with parboiled normal rice diet. The subjects also reported higher levels of fullness and lower levels of hunger after eating the parboiled vegetable rice diet compared to the parboiled normal rice diet. At 4 h after lunch, the average hunger rating of parboiled vegetable rice diet (22.1 ± 2.43 mm) was significantly (p < 0.001) lower than that of parboiled normal rice diet (56.2 ± 2.41 mm). In conclusion, these results indicate that consuming low energy dense parboiled rice by eating parboiled vegetable rice in place of parboiled normal rice may be a useful strategy for weight loss and weight management since it allows individuals to consume fewer calories without reducing satiety.