The popular ITV show often serves up the dish to celebrities roughing it in the jungle
A food specialist has claimed that there’s a specific reason that ITV bosses want all the I’m A Celebrity campmates to eat rice and beans together. The stars are often filmed eating this plain blend of ingredients for breakfast and lunch around the campfire.
Contestants always seem to have food on their minds, given just how scarce it is in the Australian jungle. If they’re not successful in the challenges set by Ant and Dec, then a terrible night awaits them of basic and bland rations.
Nutritionist Jenny Tschiesche, a best-selling author, broadcaster and consultant, claimed that the ITV reality show contestants have to likely eat both of these basic items together throughout the day for an important and ‘filling’ reason. She said: “If you’ve ever wondered why the unsuccessful contestants on I’m A Celebrity get their beans and rice, allow me to explain.
“Together, these two form a complete protein. On their own, they lack some of the essential amino acids, the building blocks of protein. The soluble fibre and resistant starch in the beans will slow the absorption of the carbohydrates in the rice, keeping the contestants fuller for longer.
“Thirdly, they provide complementary nutrients. The beans will provide you with folate, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, as well as B vitamins. They are a nutrient powerhouse when combined.”
There have only been a few nights in this series where stars have been forced to come home empty-handed after managing the entire day with just their portion of rice and beans. Celebrities faced an all-or-nothing situation when the camp was previously divided into Win City and Doomsville.
Some nights, Martin Kemp, Kelly Brook, Shona McGarty, Eddie Kadi, and Aitch went hungry after failing to win certain challenges. There was one evening when Lisa Riley, Ruby Wax, Jack Osbourne, Vogue Williams, Alex Scott and Angry Ginge suffered a night without any extra food.
The King or Queen of the Jungle will be announced when the final airs on Sunday, December 7. It will be broadcast on both ITV1 and ITVX from 9pm.
What kind of rice and beans do they eat?
Previously, Ant and Dec showed exactly how much of the basic rations celebrities get per day in a TikTok clip. If the stars are not successful in completing the daily trial for evening meals, it’s often all they get to eat in a day.
The rice on offer is plain, and the white beans appear to be dried haricot or navy beans that can often be seen on the show rehydrating before cooking. Each comes in a pre-packaged portion for the celebrities, working out roughly to contain up to 800 calories.
More often than not, these basic rations are boosted by some of the exotic and unusual dishes that can be won each evening for the celebrity contestants. This year, stars have earned main courses including kangaroo tail, crocodile meat, ostrich eggs, eels, hare and more.
