WHAT IS CREAM OF RICE?

Cream of rice—the crème de la crème of pre-workout meals—is a pure and finely milled, smooth white rice cereal that is made of grounded rice grains.

CREAM OF RICE: BOOST YOUR PERFORMANCE WITH CARBOHYDRATES

Rice is a carbohydrate, and as one of the body’s primary sources of energy, carbohydrates can help to keep your body fuelled during intense physical activities. But why should athletes add cream of rice to their diets? The advantages of cream of rice are discussed below.

CARBOHYDRATE LOADING

The body needs carbohydrates to fuel itself, and many endurance athletes therefore tend to follow a carbohydrate-loading diet before an extreme event. A carbohydrate-loading diet, also referred to as a carb-loading or carbo-loading diet, is a technique where athletes consume carbohydrates to maximise their bodies’ glycogen stores—a type of energy that is stored in the liver and muscles. Glycogen is made when the body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose. Glucose, on the other hand, enters the bloodstream to fuel red blood cells, the brain and internal organs. If glycogen stores are depleted, the body will burn fat and protein for energy instead of carbohydrates, which can result in fatigue, muscle breakdown, decreased performance and delayed muscle recovery.

To sum it up: carbohydrate loading can improve the way you feel and perform during and after an intense exercise session.

THE SIMPLE TRUTH BEHIND COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES

Let’s get back to the basics: carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of energy and can be grouped into simple carbohydrates or complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates contain longer chains of sugar molecules than simple carbohydrates. The body converts sugar molecules into glucose, which is used for energy.

It is important to remember that not all carbohydrates release energy at the same time, and that is where the glycaemic index (GI) comes in. The glycaemic index ranks carbohydrates according to how quickly or slowly they are digested by the body and how quickly or slowly they raise the glucose levels (blood sugar levels) in the blood. Thanks to its high carbohydrate content, cream of rice is a slow-releasing carbohydrate, which makes it perfect for endurance athletes who need energy for longer periods.

Benefits of adding slow-releasing carbohydrates to your diet:

• Provides energy: Complex carbohydrates retain their fibre and are digested slowly in the bloodstream, providing a more stable supply of energy to your body.
• Cardiovascular health: Complex carbohydrates can help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, as it has been shown to decrease the levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol.
• Weight management: Slow-releasing carbohydrates move slowly through the digestive system, making you feel fuller for longer and assisting with hunger and cravings.
• Overall performance: Slow-releasing carbohydrates can assist with endurance, speed, energy and alertness.
• Assists with recovery: Immediately after a strenuous exercise session, you will have to replenish your glycogen stores. Complex carbohydrates can replenish glycogen stores, which can assist with muscle recovery.

INSIDE USN’S RICE CRÈME

USN’s Rice Crème contains the following:

• White rice flour: As a gluten-free complex carbohydrate, it provides the body with energy. It also replenishes glycogen stores and provides the body with an effective and easily accessible source of energy.
• Sodium: This essential mineral helps to reduce cramping while competing in endurance activities when expending energy in high temperatures and high intensity environments that cause large amounts of mineral loss through sweat.
• Protein: Protein protects the body against muscle loss, increases muscle fibre formation and increases lean muscle mass.
• Fibre: Assists with regulating digestive processes and increases satiety.

Visit our website to learn more about Rice Crème.