People should eat zongzi (粽子, glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves) in moderation and use healthier ingredients, health authorities said yesterday as the Dragon Boat Festival approaches.
Zongzi contains excessive calories, and insufficient fiber, vitamins and minerals, so it can be a burden to health, the Ministry of Health and Welfare told a news conference.
Citing a study conducted from 2018 to 2022, the ministry said that 71 percent of Taiwanese older than 19 daily consumed excessive amounts of salt and 17.2 percent consumed excessive amounts of sugar.
Photo courtesy of Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital
The research showed that 88.5 percent of Taiwanese did not eat enough fruits, 98 percent did not consume enough dairy products, and 87.9 percent did not eat enough seeds and nuts, it said.
Zongzi ingredients can include a broader variety of vegetables to alleviate health concerns, Health Promotion Agency (HPA) Deputy Director-General Chia Shu-li (賈淑麗) said.
Most commercially available zongzi the agency sampled contained excess sodium, salt and sugar while almost entirely lacking fruits and vegetables, HPA official Chin Yi-hua (秦義華) said.
People should eat lighter-flavored zongzi, favor those made with whole grains, and eat no more than one portion per meal, or share their portion with someone, Chin said.
Soy glaze, honey and other dips should be used sparingly, he said.
Consumers should inspect quality certifications and expiry dates on the product labels of dips and make sure their packaging is intact, Food and Drug Administration Deputy Director-General Lin Chin-fu (林金富) said.
Sauces should be scooped out of the containers with clean and dry utensils to ensure their preservation, he said.
Expiration dates for sauces apply only if the packaging remains unopened and once opened, sauces should be refrigerated and consumed as soon as possible, he said.
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