Rice Alternatives For Healthier Food Routine

Rice is one of the staples in many people’s diets. It is considered to be one of the most inexpensive, filling, and great mild-tasting foods ever. But, it may not be the most appropriate choice for everyone’s dietary needs. Indeed, people who are trying to eat fewer carbs or calories should definitely avoid eating it. They should keep to lighter rice alternatives. Swapping out rice for alternative healthy choices, such as other whole grains, can add variety to your diet. Here we are sharing with you the healthiest rice alternatives:

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Quinoa

Quinoa is one of the most popular rice alternatives. It is gluten-free and much richer in protein than rice. In fact, ½ cup serving of cooked quinoa provides 4 grams of proteins, which is double the amount found in the same serving of white rice. Also, it is a good source of magnesium and copper. To cook it, combine one part dried quinoa with two parts water and bring to boil. When the water is absorbed, remove the cooked quinoa from the heat and let it rest for five minutes. You can start eating immediately or experiment with some creative recipes with it.

Whole-wheat orzo

Orzo is a type of pasta resembling large grains of rice. Whole-wheat orzo packs more fiber and protein than regular orzo, which makes it the healthier choice. If you are not counting calories, but still want to keep your healthy food diet routine then RiceSelect^® Orzo is a perfect choice for you. It will provide you with about 50% more calories than an equal serving of white rice, but also will improve your digestion by bulking up and softening your stool, thanks to the fibers it contains. It is one of the best rice alternatives, being both rice and pasta at the same time. To prepare it, boil the pasta in water over medium heat until it reaches the desired tenderness then drain it and it, and voila it is ready to serve.

Riced cauliflower

Another in the list of healthy rice alternatives is riced cauliflower. It is an excellent low-carb and low-calorie rice alternative. Its texture and appearance are similar to cooked rice, with only a fraction of the calories and carbs. To make riced cauliflower, first chop a head of cauliflower into several pieces and grate them using a food processor. Then cook them over medium heat with a small amount of oil. When it gets a tender texture and slightly brown color, it is cooked.

Riced broccoli

Riced broccoli, like riced cauliflower, is one of the smartest rice alternatives with low levels of carbs and calories. It is an excellent source of vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant that prevents cellular damage and boosts your immune health. You can cook it the same way as riced broccoli. First, cop it using a food processor and then cook it over medium heat with a bit of oil.

Whole-wheat couscous

Couscous is a type of pasta that is made of very small pearls of flour. It is one of the healthiest rice alternatives as it is richer in fiber and protein than most of the regular verities. The couscous pearls are smaller than the grains of rice. That makes their texture so unique and special. To cook couscous, combine one part couscous and two parts water. Boil the mixture. When cooked, remove it from heat and allow it to sit covered for five minutes. You can eat it alone or combined with other foods.