IOs urged to be RICEponsible

TAGBILARAN CITY, Nov. 06 (PIA)--The Department of Agriculture (DA) urged information officers from the local government units and national government agencies in Bohol to eat rice but Be RICEponsible.

Amid the issue of whether or not to continue serving unlimited rice in food establishments, DA reminded the members of the Association of United Development Information Officers in Bohol (AUDIO-Bohol) to take it easy on eating rice because consuming too much has its ill effects on one’s health.

Citing a study by the Harvard School of Public Health, DA Regional Field Unit 7 Information Officer II Cheryl Dela Victoria said excessive rice intake may adversely affect glucose metabolism and insulin production of the body thus may result in diabetes.

In addition, the study found that carbohydrate content of one bowl of rice is equivalent to more than twice of a can of soft drink and each plate of white rice eaten in a day raises the risk of diabetes by 11 percent in the overall population.

“This is the main reason why we are promoting brown or unpolished rice as it has lower glycemic index, which means that it takes longer before it is converted to blood sugar,” Dela Victoria explained.

Brown rice is the whole grain or unpolished version of white rice with its bran retained and contains superior amount of protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help control blood sugar level, lower bad cholesterol, prevent heart disease and the risk of developing cancer.

The campaign also tries to influence policy directions and involve farmer-cooperatives to make brown rice more accessible and affordable to the general public.

“We are tapping local governments to issue ordinances and resolutions that will support the advocacy. Meanwhile, we also talk to farmer groups to produce brown rice and sell it at reasonable price,” Dela Victoria added.

The Be Riceponsible Campaign is DA’s nationwide initiative to promote responsible rice consumption by reducing rice wastage in households and eating healthier forms of rice such as brown rice. 

On October 25, 2017, DA-7 hosted the monthly assembly of AUDIO-Bohol at JJ’s Seafood Village in Tagbilaran City to promote the National Rice Awareness Month for this month of November and solicit support towards achieving rice competitiveness from the information officers. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)