There was a time rice was the only grain in town. Not anymore.
Quinoa has emerged as a healthy alternative. It has already taken rice’s place in many recipes.
But if you love rice, the news isn’t all bad. Both grains have health benefits.
You could argue that comparing quinoa with rice isn’t fair, because quinoa isn’t actually a grain. It’s the seed of the goosefoot plant and
But quinoa is known as a pseudocereal because it’s cooked and eaten like a grain and has a similar nutritional profile.
The benefits of quinoa
- It’s a complete protein.
- It’s high in fiber.
- It’s high in minerals.
Quinoa is nutrient-rich and has significant health benefits, including:
It’s a complete protein
For such a tiny seed, quinoa has a lot of protein: One cup cooked has
It’s gluten-free
Quinoa is naturally gluten-free. Keep in mind that some brands may become cross-contaminated with other grains such as wheat during processing. If you have celiac disease or you’re sensitive to gluten, only use brands that are certified gluten-free.
It’s high in fiber
One cup of quinoa contains
It’s high in minerals
Quinoa is a great source of:
- iron
- magnesium
- phosphorus
- manganese
- zinc
It also contains calcium, potassium, and selenium.
It may be good for your gut
Quinoa may help protect your gastrointestinal tract. Both
The benefits of rice
- It’s easy to digest.
- Brown rice is high in fiber.
- Brown rice may help reduce blood pressure.
Rice is a staple for people all over the world. It comes in many colors and sizes, but the two most popular types are white rice and brown rice. White rice is the most processed of the two. Its husk, bran, and much of the germ has been removed.
Many brands of white rice are enriched with thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, and iron to restore the nutrients lost during processing. The husks are removed from brown rice, but the nutrient-rich bran and germ remain.
White and brown rice are low in fat and sodium. They are free of cholesterol and trans fats. Other health benefits include:
It’s naturally gluten-free
Like quinoa, rice is a great option if you’re on a gluten-free diet. Beware of flavored rice or the rice used in sushi, they may contain gluten.
It’s a good source of minerals
Brown rice is a great source of:
- phosphorous
- manganese
- selenium
- magnesium
It contains lesser amounts of copper, calcium, and zinc.
It’s easy to digest
White rice is known for being easy on the tummy. It’s part of the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast). This is a
It may promote weight loss
Though not as high as quinoa, brown rice is higher in fiber than many other refined carbohydrates and may help you lose weight by making you feel fuller longer. One cup of brown rice contains
One study showed that simply adding more fiber to your diet may help some people who have difficulty following other diets lose weight.
An older study found that eating brown rice instead of white rice helped reduce dangerous abdominal fat. This may be due to brown rice being low on the glycemic index (meaning it doesn’t spike your blood sugar).
More recently, a
It reduces blood pressure
Whole grains such as brown rice may help blood pressure by:
- helping you maintain a healthy weight
- increasing your potassium
- helping your body use insulin effectively
- reducing blood vessel damage
Randomized clinical trials from
Most rice contains an unwanted ingredient: arsenic. Arsenic is an element found in air, water, and soil.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, inorganic arsenic is a human carcinogen. Human exposure often happens through food. Rice absorbs arsenic
We have enough evidence to believe that pregnant women, infants, and children need to be cautious about arsenic from food, particularly infant rice cereal.
Other points to consider:
- Brown rice is higher in arsenic than white rice.
- Washing (rinsing) rice before cooking
can help reduce arsenic levels .
Rice and quinoa can both be part of a healthy lifestyle. White rice is great if you’re recovering from a stomach bug. The extra fiber in quinoa and brown rice helps prevent blood sugar spikes. White rice is best enjoyed when accompanied by fiber-rich vegetables, unless you are on a low-fiber diet.
The health benefits of quinoa and brown rice are similar. They’re both gluten-free, a good source of minerals and fiber, and they both support healthy digestion. Either ingredient can be substituted for white rice in most recipes.
