Calories in Brown Rice and Healthy Weight Loss

Rice contributes to the same amount of calories, with respect to its wheat counterpart. It is the quantity of rice that matters most! There is a lot of misconception that eating wheat tortilla (chapattis) helps to reduce weight. Wheat contributes to some amount of fiber, which is negligible in rice. Rice is a commonly eaten grain, apart from wheat. Rice is a good source of complex carbohydrates and acts as a good source of protein alternatives for meat in a vegetarian diet. The increase in rice decreases the intake of meat in the Asian diet. This attributes for the decrease in saturated fats. Brown rice is highly beneficial, in comparison to white rice. It is an excellent source of manganese, B complex vitamins, selenium and magnesium, in addition to dietary fiber. Selenium acts as an antioxidant and reduces the probability of colon cancer, due to the dietary fiber. The association between whole grain and certain cancers are low. Brown rice consumption decreases the risk of cancer in the colon, throat, thyroid, pancreas, rectum, stomach, breast, liver, mouth and uterus.

Benefits of Rice Includes:

• It is cost effective and easy to afford, for the whole family.
• It is a versatile food, as it blends well with other foods and can be also eaten, as such.
• It is easy to prepare and takes less time to cook, especially in a pressure cooker.

Rice does not contain preservatives or additives and has a good shelf life. Rice is free from gluten, which is a protein found in rye, wheat, oats and barley. It is not tolerated by many sensitive individuals. It is also a good source of energy and is devoid of cholesterol and salt. Resistant starch in rice helps in the growth and proliferation of healthy bacteria, thus helping in good bowel movement. The insoluble fiber in rice helps to provide relief from constipation.

Wheat bran causes sensitivity issues in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome. This is absent in the case of brown rice consumption. Research also reveals the effect of rice bran oil on the cholesterol levels. White rice is easily converted to simple sugars, with little usage of energy. This, in addition to sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits contributes to weight increase. Your intake of rice with the right exercise and proper lifestyle shall not result in gaining the extra pounds. Whole grains and whole wheat bread are better options for white polished rice.