Very true, but rice will fill a belly. A lot of people eat only rice and a can of 555 mystery meat for a family and call it dinner. Many times that is all they can afford.
A full belly trumps protein every time.
Trivia:
When I'm with my wife at her family home in Bacong people sometimes drop by at lunch or dinner time and the guests always get fed.
It seems if someone comes at meal time they are probably hungry and have nothing at home, my wife's family always feeds them.