People around me used to say, “Once you’re over 30, you’ll really start to feel old physically.” I’m 32 now, and I can confirm that’s true. One night’s sleep is no longer enough to recover, and sometimes I even struggle to fall asleep. I often feel tired, and my body frequently complains with back pain or shoulder stiffness.
So, I started paying more attention to healthy foods. I tried eating more vegetables, drinking green powders, and adding so-called “superfoods” like goji berries. But surprisingly, I discovered that when I eat rice, I don’t feel as tired—I actually feel energized. Rice has become my real superfood, and I only realized this at age 32, even though rice has been with me literally since I was born.
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Rice is popular but still…
In Japan, we have a wide variety of foods, so even though rice has traditionally been our staple, many Japanese—especially younger people—tend to eat flour-based products like bread. They’re easier to prepare and often tastier.
Walk into any Japanese bakery and you’ll see rows of pastries that all look delicious. At supermarkets, there’s a huge range of pasta sauces, and pasta takes only about 10 minutes to cook. Rice, on the other hand, takes 30–60 minutes to boil. Instant rice does exist—you just microwave it—but it’s more expensive. So, in my 20s, when I was living alone, I mostly ate pasta and bread. I think this is true for many other Japanese people too.
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Benefit to Eat Rice
1. It’s Chewy, So It Keeps You Full.
Rice is chewier than wheat bread. Because rice requires more chewing, you eat more slowly and feel fuller.
It usually takes 15–20 minutes for the brain’s satiety center to recognize a rise in blood sugar. Since rice encourages slower eating, it naturally helps you feel satisfied. So rice is a strong ally for people trying to lose weight.
2. It Rarely Causes Allergies.
According to the Consumer Affairs Agency’s 2018 report on food allergies, wheat accounts for 10.6% of allergenic foods—the third highest after eggs (34.7%) and milk (22.0%). Rice, by contrast, is safe for people with wheat allergies. This makes rice one of the safest staple foods.
3. It Doesn’t Spike Blood Sugar.
Carbohydrates need time to break down from starch into sugar. Because rice is filling and digested slowly, it causes a gentler rise in blood sugar. Rice has a lower GI than bread made with butter or sugar, and brown rice is even lower. It’s also a clean staple—no preservatives, no additives, no salt.
4. Rice Pairs Perfectly with Traditional Japanese Foods.
Grilled fish, seaweed, and fermented foods like miso and natto all go beautifully with rice. Together, they provide:
• Dietary fiber
• Magnesium
• Omega-3 fatty acids
These nutrients are often lacking in other meals, especially bread-based ones.
I eat rice before I play sports for 2 hours, and I don’t get hungry during it.
Gluten free
I can strongly recommend rice if you normally eat gluten free food. Gluten-free foods originated as a dietary treatment for celiac disease, a condition in which gluten damages the intestines and prevents nutrients from being absorbed. They have since gained attention as a healthy diet and are now popular among women and middle-aged and elderly people as a way to lose weight. I tried gluten free bread a few times, and I have to say that they aren’t so tasty. I would say rice is better option than gluten free bread.
Onigiri
In major Europe cities, there are new onigiri restaurants. Onigiri is literally rice ball, our traditional energy food for over 2,000 years. I’m not joking!
https://share.google/X5zZcSqgASCy4nukp
The most traditional filling is sour plum, it goes so well with rice, but this might doesn’t suit western taste. Tunamayo, literally means tuna and mayonnaise, is most popular by Japanese and should also suit westerns people’s taste.
Rice Abroad
Living in the UK made me appreciate rice even more. Here, supermarkets are full of bread, potatoes, and pasta, and Japanese-style short-grain rice is expensive. But I make the effort to cook it because it truly makes me feel better and reminds me of home.
I also love onigiri—Japanese rice balls. They’ve been an energy food in Japan for over 2,000 years. In Europe, new onigiri shops are popping up, introducing this tradition abroad. Classic sour plum may not suit Western tastes, but tuna-mayo is popular with both Japanese and foreigners. Eating onigiri in the UK feels like carrying a little piece of Japan with me.
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Conclusion
Rice isn’t just food for me—it’s comfort, energy, and a daily reminder of home. I remember that my grandmother used to make onigiri when I stayed at her house—it was warm and tasty. My father used to say that onigiri is the ultimate homemade food because it is made so simply by hand. Living in the UK has made me appreciate rice even more. It’s my everyday superfood, and it always will be.
Reference
健康な体をつくる「お米vsパン」米と小麦の違い・栄養価比較 – 関西業務用米.com
【トレンド日本】コメは「グルテンフリー」＝健康な食事？ 海外セレブも実践 日本では売り込みに整備を急ぐ – 産経ニュース