X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023

Senator Cynthia Villar : "Unlimited rice is bad for the health"

3 min read

In the Philippines, rice is a staple food. Not eating rice during a meal is almost unheard of, especially for the regular Filipino.

Which is why unlimited rice promos have become very popular, with a restaurant offering the promo popping up in almost every mall, or street corner.

But if Senator Cynthia Villar has her way with it, she wants Filipinos to cut back on eating unli-rice.

“Unli-rice is unhealthy”

Senator Villar, who is currently the chair of the senate committee on agriculture and food, told reporters, “You know, the findings in other countries, mas better ang diet nila. Hindi masyadong maraming rice, may vegetable. If you really ask doctors, that’s a better diet.”

“So dapat i-train na rin nating mga Filipinos not to eat too much rice kasi nagiging diabetic. And you know, it’s expensive to cure diabetes. Parang sinasabi sa ibang bansa kaya hindi sila nagiging self-sufficient, because they have a better diet. So makakatulong iyon, iyong sinasabi nilang unlimited rice, hindi maganda iyon sa diet natin.”

She adds, “Rice causes an increase in the level of sugar in the blood, which makes pancreas produce more insulin and cause frequent spikes in blood sugar level leading to diabetes. When not managed, diabetes may cause organ malfunction leading to death.”

No ban on unli-rice

The senator was also quick to point out that she’s not out to ban unli-rice promos in the country, as some have reported. She just merely expressed her concern that a lot of Filipinos take advantage of these unli-rice promos, and eating too much rice can cause a lot of health problems, including diabetes.

She added that it would be difficult to stop Filipinos from eating rice, as we are a nation of rice eaters.  She then goes on to say, “But to decrease health risks, cutting down on rice is still a good idea.”

Not only in the Philippines

In the United States, where the obese and overweight population is getting larger and larger, some restaurants, notable McDonald’s, has attempted to offer healthier options for diners. Previously, McDonald’s offered a ‘supersize’ option, wherein a customer can buy a larger portion of food compared to the regular size.

Due to this promo, the growing number of obese and overweight Americans was blamed on eating too much fast food, and fast food restaurants not offering healthy options for diners. A documentary was also made, entitled, “Supersize Me,” wherein Morgan Spurlock, a filmmaker, documented himself living solely on fast food for an entire month. Unsurprisingly, at the end of a month of living only on fast food, he was extremely unhealthy, and his health was very much at risk due to the rapid weight gain.

This spurred McDonald’s to eventually phase out the supersize option, and offer healthier food to their diners.

Sources: news.abs-cbn.com, nbcnews.com, newsinfo.inquirer.net

READ: Eating one egg a day can possibly help your kids grow taller

Be sure to check out theAsianparent Community for more insightful stories, questions, and answers from parents and experts alike. If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Jan Alwyn Batara

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Dining/Restos
  • /
  • Senator Cynthia Villar : "Unlimited rice is bad for the health"
Share:
  • Looking for Valentine's Day date ideas? Here are 14 restaurants with promos and deals this coming Hearts' day

    Looking for Valentine's Day date ideas? Here are 14 restaurants with promos and deals this coming Hearts' day

  • 8 restaurants that will let you eat for free on your birthday

    8 restaurants that will let you eat for free on your birthday

  • 5 burger places that your kids will absolutely love
    Partner Stories

    5 burger places that your kids will absolutely love

  • Looking for Valentine's Day date ideas? Here are 14 restaurants with promos and deals this coming Hearts' day

    Looking for Valentine's Day date ideas? Here are 14 restaurants with promos and deals this coming Hearts' day

  • 8 restaurants that will let you eat for free on your birthday

    8 restaurants that will let you eat for free on your birthday

  • 5 burger places that your kids will absolutely love
    Partner Stories

    5 burger places that your kids will absolutely love

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at lifestyle update.