13 Oct 2009
�New Year, new you� might be something of a clich�, but most of us resolve to eat more healthily after the excesses of Christmas and the party season. So, for reasons why Tilda Pure Basmati should be added to your shopping basket (and your cooking pot) Tilda has put together its 10 Healthy Grains of Truth for 2010.
1. Tilda Pure Basmati provides the perfect way to introduce more rice and whole grains into a new healthy-eating regime and can help kick-start the year without resorting to faddy diets.
Basmati rice is a naturally healthy supergrain. Gluten free, low in fat and sodium and with zero cholesterol, it also contains folic acid, and all eight essential amino acids. As a complex carbohydrate with a low to medium Glycaemic Index, energy is released at a slower, steadier rate � which in turn leads to more balanced energy levels and helps prevent any sugar or alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
2. Tilda�s range of wholesome Pure Basmati rices comes in two formats: dry or steamed. Dry rices include Wholegrain Basmati, Pure Basmati, and White & Wholegrain Basmati. The Tilda Steamed range includes plains, such as Brown Basmati, and recipe rices including Butternut Squash, and Lime & Coriander come in handy pouches and can be stirred straight into a wok or popped in the microwave for just two minutes.
3. Tilda Wholegrain Basmati has the bran layer of each rice kernel intact, giving its distinctive nutty flavour. Rich in nutrients and natural fibre, it is particularly delicious when added to soups, strong flavoured casseroles and vegetable mixtures such as ratatouille. Alternatively, Tilda White & Wholegrain Basmati is a unique variety combining the taste of pure white basmati with the nutritional benefits of wholegrain (another term for brown rice) � in other words, the best of both worlds.
4. �Many doctors agree with the Ayurvedic (ancient Indian holistic system) view that the key to health lies in the proper digestion of food,� explains chef and writer Anjum Anand. �Food that is easy to digest will be fully broken down and the nutrients assimilated to fuel a healthy body; conversely, undigested bits of food will sit in the gut and release toxins into the body. Pure Basmati rice is one of the foods that is easiest to digest and is not only highly recommended as part of a daily Ayurvedic diet, but is also the main grain used in an Ayurvedic detoxification programme.�
5. Fibre aids digestion and is in abundance in wholegrain basmati rice. Fibre helps clear out toxins and increases the effectiveness of the liver in its detoxification process, which in turn creates a better complexion and healthier hair� and can help shed the Christmas excesses.
6. Prevent that bloated feeling by choosing whole grains and complex carbohydrates instead of wheat, refined carbohydrates and sugars (which can lead to bloating). Refined carbs can make bacteria in the gut produce gases that bloat the tummy, so cut out toast, wheat based cereals, sandwiches and pasta and choose more easily digested basmati rice, sugar-free oat cereals or rye bread instead.
7. Combine complex carbohydrates such as basmati rice with protein (whether meat, fish, cheese, eggs or tofu) to ensure that energy levels remain prolonged and stable. Try making a risotto of Creamy Pumpkin, Mascarpone and Sage with Tilda Brown Basmati Rice.
8. At just 30p per portion, Tilda Pure Basmati is kind on the purse as well as the figure. Combined with its versatility, this makes it a perfect partner for healthy, delicious, and economical meals every day of the week. For example, Tilda Brown Basmati Rice, Chilli and Courgette Fritters make a perfect weekday supper dish.
9. Resist the temptation of unhealthy fast food when time is short, and keep a stock of Tilda Steamed Basmati Rice recipes in the cupboard. Roasted Pepper and Courgette Steamed Brown Basmati Rice can be used to whip up a vegetable paella in just a few minutes. Or try Butternut Squash Steamed Brown Basmati Rice as the base for a warm nutty winter salad with chicken, spinach leaves and toasted pine nuts.
10. Not all rice is the same. Tilda is the only rice brand on the market that guarantees consistently Pure Basmati rice in its packs (whereas others call themselves �Basmati� even with up to 7% of inferior grains). Tilda�s long slender, unbroken grains of Pure Basmati produce superior quality results: rice that is light, fluffy and perfectly separated rather than stodgy, starchy and stuck together.
Ends
Visit www.tilda.com for more recipe inspiration and the enchanting story of Tilda Basmati. For further information, contact Amanda Parkinson or Shannon Green at Wild Card on 020 7257 6470. Amanda.parkinson@wildcard.co.uk shannon.green@wildcard.co.uk