Rice
Culturally, rice has long been associated with fertility. You see this in American society as a tradition of pelting brides and grooms with rice as they leave the church after their wedding ceremony.
Rice is the staple food for two-thirds of the world's population. Rice is a wholesome and nutritious cereal grain and it has qualities which make it ideally suited for special dietary needs.
RICE...
- Contains only 103 calories per half-cup serving of white rice and 108 calories per half-cup serving of brown rice.
- Is cholesterol-free.
- Is fat-free.
- Is sodium-free.
- Is a complex carbohydrate.
- Is gluten-free and non-allergenic.
- Is easy to digest.
- Rice is an ideal food to include in sodium-restricted diets.
Rice contains a very high percentage of carbohydrates (ranging from 23.3 to 25.5 grams per 100 grams of cooked rice). As a matter of fact, 90 percent of the calories in rice come from carbohydrates. Rice, a complex carbohydrate food, provides more vitamins, minerals, and fiber than simple carbohydrate foods.
Dietary Fiber
Experts recommend we consume at least 25 grams of fiber every day to decrease risk of chronic diseases. Fiber-rich foods help promote proper bowel function and reduce the risk of developing intestinal disorders. One-half cup cooked white rice provides 0.3 grams of dietary fiber. One-half cup cooked brown rice provides 1.8 grams of dietary fiber.
Protein
The protein content of rice, while limited (ranging from 2.0 to 2.5 mg. per 1/2 cup of cooked rice), is considered one of the highest quality proteins to that provided by other cereal grains.
Fat
Rice contains only a trace of fat (ranging from 0.2 grams for 1/2 cup cooked white rice to 0.9 grams per 100 grams for 1/2 cup cooked brown rice). The Dietary Guidelines of Americans include a reduction in current intake of total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Because rice is very low in fat (less than 1-percent of the calories come from fat), and contains no cholesterol, it is an excellent food to include in all types of diets.
See also: Rice Salads: Surprise for the Taste Buds and/or...
Vegetarian? Get the Most out of Rice! and the Cooking Tip on Cooking Rice.
