Is brown rice healthier than white rice? | ahchealthenews.com/
Is brown rice healthier than white rice? | ahchealthenews.com/
Is brown rice healthier than white rice?
As you start eating cleaner and making better food choices, you may have wondered: Is brown rice really healthier than white rice? The answer isn’t cut and dry, but brown rice does have some nutritional advantages.
“Brown rice can have a bit of a nutritional edge over white rice,” says Pam Voelkers, a registered dietitian and integrative health coach at Aurora Health Care. “In general, whole grains can lower our risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and help keep us full, thereby preventing obesity.”
How does this happen exactly? When brown rice is converted to white, the beneficial fibrous bran and germ are removed. In the process, fiber, vitamins and minerals are also removed, Voelkers explains.
As brown rice is a whole grain, providing fiber, vitamins and minerals, your gut health will be enhanced, and your blood sugar will be controlled a bit better, she says.
If you are watching your cholesterol, blood sugar or encouraged to increase your fiber intake, brown rice may be a better option for you, in moderation.
However, white rice is often a daily staple in many cultural cuisines. Voelkers explains that for individuals who eat rice daily, white rice may be better to limit your exposure to a substance called phytic acid, which is in brown rice and other whole grains. Phytic acid can decrease the absorption of key minerals and vitamins, such as iron, zinc, magnesium and calcium, so it is something to be mindful of if you regularly consume a lot of brown rice.
Generally, whether you’re choosing white or brown rice, rice is high in carbohydrates. It’s best to pair with protein and vegetables to increase fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This combination can help control your blood sugar, appetite and provide for a balanced meal, Voelkers recommends.
Check out these recipes for a few nutritious ways to prepare rice. And did you know that red and purple rice are also higher in antioxidants because of their pigments?
Are you trying to watch your weight? Take a free online quiz to learn more about your healthy weight range here.
Original source can be found here
Alerts Sign-up