Rice or Noodles: which is healthier? Carbs, calories & more

Today I want to look at Rice or Noodles: which is healthier? Carbs, calories & more If you are looking for a starchy side for your meals, both rice and noodles make for tasty options. But if you are trying to pick one based on health, things can get a bit confusing. After all, they are both carbohydrates and they both have a similar consistency. However, there are some differences that may make one the winner. Read the full article on our blog: https://www.bitemybun.com/rice-or-noodles-which-is-healthier/ If you like Japanese food, you should get our free recipe quick guide, it's the ultimate EASY quick guide with our favorite recipes: https://www.bitemybun.com/free-japanese-cookbook/ Although it is hard to pick a clear winner, this post will guide you through your options and what to look out for in health benefits. There are two types of carbohydrates. One is a simple carbohydrate: Simple carbohydrates are also known as refined or processed grains. The grains are processed to increase shelf life but during the process, the grain loses some of its nutrients. Foods that are simple carbohydrates include bread, pastries, cakes, and most regular rice and pasta products. The other type of carbohydrate is the complex carbohydrate: This type of carbohydrate does not go through processing and therefore, has a richer vitamin and mineral content. Common types of complex carbohydrates include bread, quinoa, black rice, brown rice, fruits, and vegetables. Most types of noodles and rice are made from refined grains. Consuming an excessive amount of refined grains can lead to metabolic syndrome which is characterized by symptoms like high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and excess abdominal fat. They can also trigger inflammation in the body to increase the risk of disease. How do rice and noodles compare? let's look at Calories It’s clear that if you are making a judgment of which food is healthier based on calorie count, rice will come out ahead. The same number of calories can be found in 100 grams of rice as can be found in 50 grams of noodles. The percentage of fat is also higher in noodles with rice having 1% fat as compared to noodles' 2%. However, it should be noted that certain types of rice, like fried rice, can be higher in fat and calories. Neither noodles nor rice is exceptionally rich in vitamins and minerals. However, both do contain iron which is a necessary nutrient for the body. Noodles contain 10% iron in comparison to rice’s 5%. Noodles also contain 1% calcium which is beneficial to bones. Rice does not have any. Sodium is a mineral that helps control your body’s fluid levels. It also aids in the sending of nerve impulses and muscle control. However, excessive sodium intake can cause high blood pressure. Sodium levels are considerably higher in noodles. This carb contains 8% sodium while rice doesn’t have any. Noodles have a higher carbohydrate percentage than rice. It comes in at 14% in comparison with rice’s 12%. Fiber is beneficial to gut health. It can reduce blood sugar, lower cholesterol levels and decrease appetite. Rice has a fiber level of 12% beating noodles by 2%. Protein is a component that plays a role in every cell of your body. It aids in the building and repairing of tissue and is also used to make enzymes, hormones and other body chemicals. It is a building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood. Both noodles and rice have similar amounts of protein with noodles having 8g as compared with rice’s 7g per 100g's And finally let's look at the Glycemic Index Glycemic index measures how food impacts blood sugar. High glycemic levels will cause blood sugar to rise. If food has a glycemic level above 70, it’s considered high. Levels of 56-69 are considered moderate while levels below 55 are low. Rice has a glycemic level of around 73 while the glycemic level of noodles is moderate. So it seems as if both rice and noodles have their share of pros and cons and you may choose one over the other based on your health needs. But not so fast…. Before making a decision, you should consider that there are many different types of noodles and rice available and some are healthier than others. Try eating brown and black rice, or kelp and quinoa noodles for the healthiest versions of your favorite dishes.