The soldiers fighting for us during the Second World War may not have been strong enough to do their jobs if it weren’t for Ambrosia’s creamy rice pudding (so I like to think). Back then, it was packed in Red Cross food parcels and distributed to all the hungry and the soldiers.
However, then, people were not paying attention to what they ate because everyone and everywhere was so hostile that they ate anything. Now, we have to scrutinize and look really closely at what we eat or give to our babies for proper growth and development. Here is all you need to know about Ambrosia rice pudding and diabetes.
What is Ambrosia rice pudding?
If you have no idea what rice pudding is, it’s pretty simple. Rice pudding is a typical dish made from rice, but this time, with water, milk, spices, some sweeteners and flavorings, and most times eggs, Ambrosia is a brand name and a staple brand founded in 1917.
They were the first to package rice pudding in cans before the Second World War. What they did was take the idea of homemade rice pudding, but using West Country milk, and then package them in cans in a bid to make them ready to eat, especially as desserts that can be served and enjoyed at any temperature.
Although the company was founded in his village home in Lifton Devon, the company has moved from the original owner, Alfred Morris, to other buyers like Colman’s Ltd. and Unilever, and since 2004, now belongs to Premier Foods alongside other brands.
The catch with the rice pudding is that you can make it in different variants and flavors, but this is mostly when you’re making it yourself, and Ambrosia has not failed to replicate this in their products; they go extreme to produce more exciting flavors for their consumers.
Recently, in 2022, the company rolled out a new range called the sticky Toffee flavor rice pudding, this is in addition to the lighter variant, strawberry, etc.
Is Ambrosia rice pudding a healthy meal choice?
Rice pudding may be one of the most loved desserts in the UK, and because there are so many manufacturers in this business, it can be a bit difficult to ascertain which brand does it best and which of them provides a more healthier version of the pudding.
I’ll say making your rice pudding yourself is best and healthier, because this way, you know exactly what goes into your plate, and you also do not have to add things you don’t need, like preservatives. However, when it comes to the ambrosia pudding, here are some of the things it does to the body:
- Firstly, rice puddings are made up of polished ground rice, meaning that it has been processed, and when food or grain has gone through little or much processing, some if not most of the vitamins and minerals are lost. However, rice pudding still manages to offer the body some necessary vitamins, like B1, B2, potassium, magnesium, e.t.c.
- Because of the milk content, Ambrosia rice pudding can provide some amounts of calcium and other minerals beneficial for the bones.
- Also, Ambrosia pudding is marketed as not having any artificial colors or preservatives, which can be a benefit.
- The sugar content, which is mostly added sugars (13g-16g), contributes to a significant level of carbohydrate content in the rice pudding and would not be ideal for some groups of people, like diabetics who need to control their sugar intake.
- The carbohydrate content is quite high, as just one serving (per 150 grams) may contain around 150-170 calories, and the carbohydrate content would be about 25-30 grams.
- This particular rice pudding provides a decent or moderate amount of protein and fat, which is necessary and helpful in slowing down the absorption of sugars in any meal; however, the amounts of fat and protein in Ambrosia rice pudding are not enough to balance the sugar content in it.
Can diabetics eat Ambrosia rice pudding?
Truly, Ambrosia rice pudding is nice, creamy, and even as tasty as you would always want your pudding. However, if you’re diabetic, it would be wise if you spoke to your doctor before eating this rice pudding, and here’s why:
High sugar content
If you’re having just a simple serving of 150g of Ambrosia rice pudding, you should know it may contain at least 13-16g of sugar. Just imagine you added 3-4 teaspoons of sugar to your rice. The implication is that foods like this will cause rapid spikes in your sugar or blood glucose levels because added sugars do literally nothing in your body; they are just absorbed quickly into the bloodstream, hence the rapid increase in blood sugar levels.
Processed white rice
This is the main ingredient in Ambrosia rice, and we all know that white rice has a high glycemic index of about 70 or even higher, making it very unsafe for diabetics. Rice is one of the foods that your doctors may have warned you about, and in addition to this, rice constitutes a huge amount of carbohydrates, which if combined can make it very difficult for diabetics to manage their blood sugar levels, and would be much more terrible if you’re dealing with type-2 diabetes.
Empty Carb
This means that rice pudding is not able to boast of any substantial amount of fiber, which can help reduce the negative impact of both the sugar and the white rice on your blood glucose levels by slowing down the absorption of carbohydrates and sugar into the bloodstream. Sorry to say, Ambrosia rice pudding contains nothing like that.
Final Thoughts
Usually, we would tell you to enjoy any meal you like, but to portion and to eat in moderation; however, when it comes to these rice puddings, it’s always best to avoid them as they are of little or no nutritional value to you who’s dealing with diabetics, so when you feel the urge, make some vegetable sauce or grab some fresh fruits to satisfy your taste buds. Goodluck!
