It’s widely regarded as a high-fibre food, but the fibre level in brown rice is middling — an average serving (75g dry) contains 2.3g, compared with 7.5g fibre in the same size serving of wholewheat pasta. Just a slice of wholemeal bread has 2.5g fibre (the daily recommended total is 24g).
Brown rice is also lower than wholewheat pasta in minerals including potassium, iron and zinc. It can have a high Glycaemic Index (GI), which is not the best for slimmers, as high GI foods increase blood sugar levels quickly and curb hunger less effectively.
Get it right: Choose brown basmati rice, which has a lower GI due to the structure of its starch. On the plus side, all types of brown rice count as a healthy wholegrain, linked with low rates of heart disease and diabetes. Brown rice is also suitable for people who are allergic to gluten.
– Angela Dowden
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
