Banh troi and vegetarian cakes are an indispensable culinary beauty during the Korean New Year (March 3rd of the lunar calendar). However, due to their high sugar and starch content, doctors recommend that some groups of people should limit eating these dishes to protect their health.
These two types of cakes mainly consist of rice flour (mixed between sticky rice and plain rice), rock sugar, ginger and cassava flour. Vegetarian cakes also have a smooth green bean filling. The combination of stickyness of sticky rice, light sweetness of sugar and strong aroma of ginger creates an irresistible attraction for this traditional dish.
Warning about calorie and blood sugar levels
Although delicious, banh troi and vegetarian cakes are "poor" nutrients but "rich" in energy. In 100g of banh troi, vegetarian cakes can contain up to 300 - 400 calories, depending on the processing method.
The crust is usually mixed according to the ratio of sticky rice: plain rice is 9:1 or 8:2. The main ingredient is sticky rice containing starch with a high glycemic index, which easily causes fat accumulation and creates a feeling of bloating and indigestion if consumed too much.
The following groups of subjects need special attention:
People with digestive diseases: Starch in sticky rice is a branchy starch, requiring the stomach to contract and secrete more gastric juice for digestion. This can worsen symptoms of reflux, bloating, heartburn or stomach ulcers.
Overweight, obese people: With high calorie content from sugar and starch, this is an "enemy" for people who are on a weight loss diet or have a physical condition that is prone to weight gain.
People with diabetes, blood fat, cardiovascular disease: Consuming large amounts of refined sugar and starch causes blood sugar to spike suddenly. This is dangerous for diabetic patients and adversely affects the blood fat control process as well as the cardiovascular system.
Pregnant women: To prevent the risk of gestational diabetes – a condition that can adversely affect both mother and fetus – pregnant women should minimize sweets and starchy foods such as banh troi and vegetarian cakes.
Each time you eat, you should only consume a small portion of about 100 - 200g depending on your physical condition.
