The Chinese eat rice and stay thin because rice is used as a vehicle for nutrient dense vegetables in China as well as lean proteins, instead of being the bulk of the meal.
When the rice is combined with built in daily movement and smaller portion controls, it balances the blood sugar and calorie intake.
Chinese use and have cultural habits that allow them to eat so much rice, but also stay thin and not gain a lot of weight.
The Chinese cultural habits that allow them to eat so much rice and stay thin, involves meal balance, controlled portions, liquid over sugar, minimal stacking as well as having active lifestyles.
Traditional Chinese meals follow the "rice method", in which a small bowl of rice is paired with multiple communal plates of cooked vegetables and small amounts of lean protein.
The high fiber from the vegetables also slows down digestion and prevents sudden spikes in blood sugar.
And rice in China is also eaten from a small, single serving bowl and meals lack the "free refill" or massive portion culture that is common in Western diets.
Meals in China are also often accompanied by water or unsweetened, calorie free hot tea, instead of sugary sodas.
And snacking on processed foods and processed snacks is less common in China as it is in other countries including the United States.
People in China, also tend to stop eating when full and eat set meals.
And in China, walking is also a highly integrated part of their daily life for commuting to work, shopping and running of errands.
And furthermore, a common Chinese cultural practice is to take a brisk walk immediately after having large meal to aid digestion.
The Chinese remain slim and don't get overweight in most cases as Chinese people and Chinese cuisine focus on balance, portion control and plant based nutrition, instead of restrictive dieting.
Meals in China also center around highly fibrous vegetables, lean proteins, and fermented foods, and the Chinese use specific daily habits that naturally help them to keep calorie intake in check.
Unlike in Westernized takeout foods, traditional home cooked Chinese meals treat the meat as a seasoning or garnish.
And plates of food in China are loaded with fiber rich cruciferous and leafy vegetables such as bok choy and broccoli, that fill you up on very few calories.
And clear, broth based soups, like egg drop or clear vegetable soups are also often eaten before or during a meal, which is a practice that naturally reduces total calorie consumption by keeping you satiated faster.