What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Rice Every Day - EatingWell

Just like bread and pasta, rice is often vilified by keto devotees and low-carb lovers. Not only are those who steer clear of rice missing out on some serious health benefits (more on that shortly), but they're also stigmatizing members of nearly all cultures of the world.

The USDA's Economic Research Service reports that more than half of the global population relies on grain to make up the bulk of their diets. For reference, according to the nonprofit industry group USA Rice, the average resident of Asia consumes an average of 300 pounds of rice per year. In the United Arab Emirates, that figure is around 450 pounds per year, and here stateside, Americans eat approximately 27 pounds annually.

"Rice can be such an affordable and convenient carbohydrate, and we should stop demonizing it and instead help people understand how best to consume it. Rice can absolutely be a part of a healthy diet," says Laura Ligos, RDN, CSSD, a registered dietitian nutritionist and the founder of The Sassy Dietitian in Albany, New York.

Nutrition Information for Rice

According to the USDA's FoodData Central nutrition database, here's how a 1-cup cooked serving of rice shakes out, based on the variety.

Wild Rice

A 1-cup serving of cooked wild rice provides:

• Calories: 166
• Protein: 7 g
• Total fat: <1 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sodium: 5 mg
• Magnesium: 53 mg
• Folate: 43 µg

Brown Rice

A 1-cup serving of cooked brown rice provides:

• Calories: 218
• Protein: 5 g
• Total fat: 2 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sodium: 2 mg
• Magnesium: 86 mg
• Folate: 7.8 µg

White Rice

A 1-cup serving of cooked white rice provides:

• Calories: 242
• Protein: 4 g
• Total fat: <1 g
• Carbohydrates: 53 g
• Fiber: <1 g
• Sodium: 0 g
• Magnesium: 8 mg
• Folate: 110 µg

In addition to delivering those macronutrients and a mix of micronutrients, which vary by type, "rice is incredibly versatile," says Roxana Ehsani, M.S., RD, CSSD, a Miami-based board-certified sports dietitian. "You can eat it on its own, make a rice pilaf, add it to veggies and protein to make a rice stir-fry, enjoy it in place of morning oats, try it in sweet or savory dishes. You can flavor it up or down. The rice will absorb the flavors that it's cooked with, like herbs and spices, or you can keep it basic and plain too."

Caitlin Bensel

Pictured Recipe: One-Pan Garlicky Shrimp & Rice

What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Rice Every Day

Because of its adaptability, accessibility and affordability, many people eat rice on the regular—even daily. It can certainly be part of a well-balanced meal plan. Still, it does come with some potential drawbacks that are important to keep in mind. Ahead, what happens when you eat rice every day.

You'll Get an Energy Boost

"Rice is a healthy, nutrient-dense grain that's an excellent source of carbohydrates, which is one of the three major macronutrients we need to consume daily," Ehsani says, pointing to fat and protein as the other parts of the powerful trio. That's right: Your body needs carbs to survive. Depending on which governmental organization you tap into and your personal health status, carbohydrate recommendations may vary. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest that carbs should constitute about 40% to 65% of your daily calories. "Carbohydrates provide our bodies with fuel, aka energy, we need each day," says Ehsani.

Rice is a quick source of energy, Ligos adds, which can be a big win for those who need to power up fast, such as athletes, individuals with labor-intensive jobs and those who are pregnant, nursing or healing from an injury or illness.

"Carbs are an important macronutrient that our bodies need for energy, hormone production, cognitive function and so much more," Ligos says.

You Might Notice Smoother Digestion

Along with bananas, applesauce and toast, rice is a signature component of the "BRAT diet" that's often promoted for those who are dealing with or recovering from nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

"If you've ever had a stomachache or stomach bug, one food you may think of that's easy to tolerate and digest is plain rice. There's very little fat in rice too, which is ideal for ease of digestion," Ehsani says.

This can be helpful whether you have digestive issues or not, Ligos adds. Having an easy-to-digest carbohydrate can be helpful if you are experiencing a wonky stomach due to anxiety or stress, if you are bouncing back from an illness, or for pre-or post-workout.

You Can Mix Up Your Micronutrients

Depending on the type of rice you are choosing, it has different health benefits, Ehsani says.

"Rice provides more than 15 essential vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, selenium, fiber, iron and zinc," says Lauren Harris-Pincus, M.S., RDN, founder of NutritionStarringYOU.com and author of The Everything Easy Pre-Diabetes Cookbook. "For example, white and brown rice share a somewhat similar nutrition profile, although brown rice is slightly higher in calories, fiber, protein, manganese, selenium, magnesium and B vitamins. Wild rice and black rice, also known as forbidden rice, are higher in antioxidants and lower in calories, with a lower glycemic index."

For a mix of micronutrients and flavors, try to integrate more than one variety of rice into your diet on a regular basis.

Your Blood Sugar Might Spike

Due to its higher proportion of carbs (compared to protein and fat, the two other macros), a serving of rice on its own can spike blood sugar levels. The glycemic index is a measure of how much food impacts blood sugar, and rice falls at about the middle; above corn, just below wheat and slightly lower than white potatoes, per Harvard Medical School.

"If you are not active or do not eat enough protein and fats to go along with rice, it may impact your blood sugar in a negative manner," if you're trying to keep it even-keeled, Ligos says. Since even a mere two minutes of walking after meals can lower post-meal blood sugar, she says, "It can also be helpful to eat rice around your most active time of day, especially if you are struggling with some blood sugar balance. That can look like having some rice—plus protein and fat—pre-workout or before a walk or after your workout."

Pre-workout or otherwise, Ehsani recommends bolstering your rice recipe with vegetables for more fiber and adding a high-quality source of protein, like fish, chicken, tofu or hard-boiled eggs, for longer-lasting energy.

For slower digestion, Harris-Pincus has a simple hack: Both white and brown rice are significant sources of resistant starch, she says, "especially when allowed to cool after cooking and prior to consumption. Resistant starch has shown real promise in promoting fullness and a healthy body weight." (Translation: Meal-prep your next batch of rice a day or two in advance, and enjoy those leftovers reheated—you may digest them at a less rapid clip.)

You Might Increase Your Arsenic Consumption

Compared to other grains, rice can be a higher source of arsenic, a chemical compound that's naturally in our soil and water in some parts of the world, Ligos says—and the Dartmouth Toxic Metals Superfund Research Program verifies. The World Health Organization says arsenic exposure can be linked to increased cancer risk over time. To limit your arsenic consumption:

• Choose rice grown in areas that produce rice that's lower in arsenic. White basmati from India, Pakistan and California fits the bill, as does sushi rice from the U.S.
• Wash rice before cooking and consuming it.
• Mix up your grains; other options like quinoa, bulgur, farro and amaranth tend to be lower in arsenic.

You Might Displace More Nutrient-Dense Foods

Similar to how health professionals promote mixing up your produce consumption (to, in turn, feed your gut various types of fiber and different micronutrients), it's ideal to eat a wide variety of grains.

"If you're only eating rice daily, you might miss out on all the other nutrients found in other grains like quinoa, bulgur, farro, oats, barley, millet, teff and amaranth. It's always a good idea to vary your grains," Ehsani says.

Also, try to keep tabs on how you round out your meal. Many entrees can showcase rice as the centerpiece, which is totally cool, but be mindful of the serving size. Building a diverse plate will allow you to fuel up with lean protein, fruits, vegetables and heart-healthy fats, too.

What to Keep in Mind When Eating Rice

Rice of all kinds delivers important vitamins and minerals, along with energy-boosting carbs and, depending on the variety, a good dose of gut-health-supporting fiber. For long-term energy, Harris-Pincus recommends filling half your plate or bowl with nonstarchy veggies, one-quarter with lean protein and one-quarter with carbohydrates, such as rice. Try this strategy in tasty, varied recipes like our Crispy Fish Taco Bowls, Vegan Coconut Chickpea Curry and Smoked Turkey, Kale, and Rice Bake.

The Bottom Line

"Rice is such a cultural staple for so many people, and it should be celebrated for its role in cuisine and health," Ligos concludes.

Rice sometimes gets a bad rap, Ehsani admits. But, she says, you can incorporate it into any healthy diet. Yes, even white rice.

"My father is from Iran, and white rice is always on the dinner table when we are eating a Persian dish. It's a staple. I've had patients eat it at every meal, we just work on ways to add other forms of nutrition around it to keep their meals balanced and nutrient-packed," she says.

To enjoy rice while sustaining your energy and keeping blood sugar steady, aim to keep the portion size in mind and pair it with ingredients that offer protein and fat, Ligos suggests.

"Health is about so much more than just calories and nutrients; it's also about joy and enjoying your food," Ligos adds. "Having a staple like rice that's easy to cook and tastes great is a win."

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What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Rice Every Day - EatingWell
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