Sticky Rice Cakes and Sweet Cakes: Traditional Vietnamese Delicacies for Cold Food Festival In Vietnam, many families prepare sticky rice cakes and sweet cakes during the Cold Food Festival. According to doctors, some people should avoid or limit these dishes to ensure their health.
Sticky rice cakes and sweet cakes are two traditional types of cakes in Vietnam, primarily consumed during the Cold Food Festival on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month every year. This festival is a time to remember the deceased and honor ancestors, also known as “the day of sticky rice cakes and sweet cakes.”
The main ingredients of these cakes include glutinous rice flour (a mix of both glutinous and non-glutinous rice), rock sugar, ginger, and tapioca flour. Sweet cakes also have mung beans and white sugar as additional ingredients.
The rice flour used for the cake’s outer layer is typically mixed in a ratio of glutinous rice to non-glutinous rice of 9:1 or 8:2, making glutinous rice the main ingredient. The filling for sticky rice cakes consists of a small piece of rock sugar that has been chopped, while sweet cakes contain mung beans that have been mashed, cooked, and sautéed with sugar.
Sticky rice cakes can be enjoyed immediately after cooking, topped with a sprinkle of sesame and grated coconut, while sweet cakes are served with a syrup made from tapioca flour and ginger. This dish is loved for its soft, chewy texture and the fragrant combination of ginger, sesame, and the sweetness of sugar and mung beans.
Both types of cakes are high in carbohydrates and sugar, offering little nutritional value. Therefore, even without overeating, you may still consume excessive calories and increase blood sugar levels. In 100g of sticky rice cakes and sweet cakes, there are approximately 300-400 calories, depending on the preparation method.
Sticky rice cakes and sweet cakes are essential dishes for the Cold Food Festival.
Additionally, the starch in these cakes primarily comes from glutinous rice, which can lead to rapid increases in blood sugar and fat accumulation. Eating too much glutinous rice can also cause feelings of fullness, indigestion, acid reflux, and discomfort.
Some individuals may need to limit their consumption of these dishes.
People with digestive issues: The starch in glutinous rice is branched and more difficult to digest compared to that in non-glutinous rice. As a result, the stomach must work harder, producing more gastric juices to digest it, potentially worsening symptoms such as acid reflux, bloating, and ulcers for those with digestive disorders.
Overweight or obese individuals: Both types of cakes are high in calories and primarily consist of starch and sugar, making them unsuitable for those who are overweight, obese, or trying to lose weight.
People with diabetes, high cholesterol, or cardiovascular diseases: Consuming a lot of sticky rice cakes and sweet cakes can lead to excessive intake of starch and sugar, causing sudden spikes in blood sugar, which is detrimental for individuals with diabetes, high cholesterol, or heart conditions.
Pregnant women: Gestational diabetes poses a significant risk to expectant mothers due to its adverse effects on the fetus. Therefore, if you are pregnant, it is advisable not to consume too many sweet and starchy cakes.
Even for healthy individuals who love these delicious cakes, it is recommended to enjoy only a small portion, about 100-200g at a time, depending on personal needs and health status, and not to indulge too frequently.
