With the Dragon Boat Festival just around the corner, the Bureau of Health Promotion advised people against overeating zongzi, or sticky rice dumplings, a festival treat, and to consume them wisely to avoid health-related problems.
One zongzi contains about 600 calories, which is equal to that of a market-bought boxed meal, and one would need to climb the Taipei 101 twice to burn that amount of calories, according to the bureau.
Eating two rice dumplings in addition to regular meals every day for a week would result in one extra kilogram of weight, the bureau said,
Overconsuming zongzi, which are high in sodium and fat and low in fiber, would have a negative effect on a person’s health, it added.
The agency advised the public to eat the traditional treat wisely, choosing those that are smaller or relatively low in calories as many are now sold with labels indicating calorie content, eating more vegetables on the side and avoiding adding sauces.
Patients with chronic illnesses should be particularly cautious about overconsuming zongzi and take heed of the ingredients in different kinds of rice dumplings, the bureau said.
It added that people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes or indigestion should refrain from excessive or unhealthy eating.
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