Top 10 Reasons to Eat Rice

1. Rice Eaters are Healthier. Research shows Americans who eat enriched and whole grain rice consume more nutrients, are less likely to be overweight, have lower blood pressure, and lower risk of metabolic syndrome.
2. Rice is good throughout the life cycle. Enriched white rice is a good source (12% for the day in 1/2 cup cooked) of folic acid and contains 5% of the daily value for iron. Folic acid helps to prevent birth defects and may help with heart disease and certain cancers.
3. Brown rice is a whole grain. Brown rice has a nice mix of phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. This is a really easy switch to make to get some whole grains. One half cup cooked counts as one of your servings of whole grain for the day.
   
4. Rice is nutritious. Rice is packed with vitamins and minerals such as B-vitamins, iron, potassium, and fiber.
5. White rice is enriched in nutrients. Since 1998, white rice in the US is fortified with folic acid because of the direct link of folic acid with preventing neural tube birth defects. Enriched white rice actually has more folic acid, niacin, thiamin, and iron than brown rice.
6. Rice is cheap! With the tough economy at the present time, everyone is looking for less expensive options that are still nutritious. as half cup serving is about 10 cents. You can't beat that!
7. Rice is versatile. Because rice has such a bland flavor, you can use it in so many different dishes from side dishes to soups to desserts.
   
8. Rice is the most popular grain in the world. People of all different cultural backgrounds love rice. It is a staple in Asia and in many Latin American countries as well.
9. You support local farmers. 80% of the rice consumed in the US is grown by farmers in California, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi.
10. Rice is easy to prepare. Some companies offer 90-second pouches of brown or enriched rice, or you can easily find the quick cooking varieties that cook in less than 5 minutes.

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