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Freezing leftovers rich in carbs cuts down calories, says doctor
Foods rich in carbs hold a bad reputation. People dread the high-calorie count, but what if we said you could still enjoy leftover rice or bread without worrying about gaining weight?
Not all carbs are as bad as the popular opinion claims. In fact, carbohydrates can come in many forms, including protein and fiber, which help in shedding pounds. However, if you can’t give up on rice or white bread, try the doctor-recommended hack to count down calories.
Doctor recommends freezing leftovers to reduce calories
We know avoiding carbs is the biggest challenge for dieters. But TikTok moms are swearing by a simple hack to bring down the calorie count, and London-based doctor Karan Raj gives this technique a thumbs up.
He says leftovers rich in carbs, such as rice, bread or pasta can make a great meal option the following day if you simply freeze them before reheating.
Discussing the effectiveness of the viral technique, the doctor explains: “When you cook it and cool it or freeze it, and then reheat it, it’ll now magically contain fewer calories when you eat it.”
The simple hack is backed by the fact that all carbs aren’t created equal and resistant starch – found in rice, oats, potatoes, and more – can have unique benefits.
Supporting the hack popularized by health freaks, Healthline notes that eating foods high in resistant starch can also be “beneficial for the bacteria in your intestines as well as for your cells.”
The science behind the viral hack
Well, the added benefits of frozen food aren’t entirely truly magical, as the doctor explains the science behind it.
The calories in carb-rich food are reduced because of a chemical process known as retrogradation. The carbs in the resistant starch food do not easily digest in the small intestine, but end up in the colon where the gut bacteria can feast on them.
“Those carby leftovers become a wannabe fiber Aka prebiotics. They feed beneficial bacterial species like bifidobacteria and lactobacilli,” says the doctor.
Not just cutting down calories, but frozen leftovers can also regulate the blood glucose level, reduce your risk of colon cancer, and improve bowel regularity and stool bulk.
Dr. Karan Raj is a certified NHS surgeon from London, currently serving as a lecturer at Sunderland University. He boasts over seven years of experience. His expertise combined with entertainment has gained him millions of followers.
