brown rice

The Benefits of Brown Rice

Q: Is brown rice really better for you? Also, is instant rice or slow-cooked rice more nutritious?
A: Brown rice is definitely more nutritious than white rice. White rice is processed so that the bran and germ layers are removed — this essentially robs the grain of its nutritional value because those layers are the ones that provide the most nutrients. Brown rice retains its outer bran layer, which provides six times the fiber of white rice — and that's NO joke. The bran also provides many vitamins and minerals that are lacking in white rice. Brown rice also has a nuttier flavor than white rice.
In terms of cooking, it doesn't make a huge difference which way you choose to make rice. Instant rice is cooked and then dried, which is why it cooks so fast. Although it's easier to use instant rice, the grain does lose some of its nutrition because of the double cooking. However, if you're short on time and need to use the instant, that's okay. I certainly don't always have the time to slow-cook brown rice, and I definitely don't expect you to either.

Think Beyond Rice

Brown rice is nice, but for a little variety why not choose another food that packs a powerful, nutritious punch? Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is an amino acid-rich seed that is full of vitamins, minerals, and protein. It has a light, fluffy, crunchy texture and a slightly nutty flavor when cooked. While the ancient Incans called it "the Mother of Grains," it's actually a relative of spinach. Just boil it like rice until it's soft and serve. Look for it at your local health food store or major grocery stores and give it a try tonight.