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Carbohydrates in Brown White and Wild Rice Whole vs Refined Carbs

Medically reviewed by Sade Meeks, MS, RD, Nutrition — By Emily Cronkleton — Updated on October 4, 2022There are 50 grams of carbs in one cup of cooked brown rice, while the same amount of cooked, enriched short-grain white rice has about 53 grams of carbs. On the other hand, cooked wild rice only has 35 grams of carbs, making it one of the best options if you want to reduce your carb intake.

Amount of carbs in rice

Brown rice

Total carbs: 52 grams (one cup, cooked rice) Brown rice is the go-to rice in some health food circles since it’s considered to be more nutritious. Brown rice is a whole grain and has more fiber than white rice. It’s also a great source of magnesium and selenium. Depending on the type, brown rice may taste nutty, aromatic, or sweet. Dietary fiber in general may help lower cholesterol and protect against cardiovascular disease. It may also help to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, according to a 2021 study. However, it’s not clear whether swapping white rice for brown rice has the same health-promoting effects. For example, researchers studied people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes who ate brown rice instead of white. Across several studies, eating brown rice did not appear to help with controlling blood sugar levels. More research is needed to understand the health effects of brown rice.

White rice

Total carbs: 53 grams (one cup, short-grain, cooked) White rice is the most popular type of rice and might be the one most used. The processing white rice undergoes depletes it of some of its fiber, vitamin, and minerals. But some types of white rice are enriched with additional nutrients. It’s still a popular choice across the board. One cup of cooked enriched white rice contains nutrients including:Folate: 15% of the daily value (DV)Selenium: 14% of the DVPantothenic acid (Vitamin B5): 8% of the DVIron: 8% of the DV

Wild rice

Total carbs: 35 grams (one cup, cooked) Wild rice is actually the grain of four different species of grass. Though technically it’s not a rice, it’s commonly referred to as one for practical purposes. Its chewy texture has an earthy, nutty flavor that many find appealing. Wild rice is also rich in nutrients and antioxidants.

Black rice

Total carbs: 34 grams (one cup, cooked) Black rice has a distinct texture and sometimes turns purple once cooked. It’s full of fiber and contains iron, protein, and antioxidants. It’s often used in dessert dishes since some types are slightly sweet. You can experiment using black rice in a variety of dishes.

Red rice

Total carbs: 45 grams (one cup, cooked) Red rice is another nutritious choice that also has a lot of fiber. Many people enjoy its nutty taste and chewy texture. However, the flavor of red rice can be quite complex. You may find its color an aesthetic enhancement to certain dishes.Summary Different types of rice can be similar in carb content, but quite different in nutrient content. White rice is the least nutritious because the processing it undergoes strips it of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. However, some of these nutrients are added back to enriched white rice.

Choosing carbs to meet your nutrition goals

Some carbs may contain more fiber, vitamins, and minerals than others. White rice is a refined carb, which means it’s low in dietary fiber. Even so, white rice is a popular food that’s central to many cuisines. To eat a balanced diet, it’s not typically necessary to remove white rice from your diet or replace it with brown rice. Instead, it is important to make sure you are getting plenty of fiber and nutrients from other foods you eat. According to the USDA, at least half of the grains you eat should be whole grains. The vast majority of people in the United States do not get enough fiber from their diet. Whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables are all good sources of fiber. The USDA recommends the following daily fiber intake:Females under 50: 25 to 28 grams per dayMales under 50: 31 to 34 grams per dayFemales 51 and older: 22 grams per dayMales 51 and older: 28 grams per day These are general recommendations. Talk with your doctor or a dietitian to find out what’s right for you, especially if you have any health conditions.Summary Carbs are a necessary part of your daily diet, but some carbs are better than others. It’s best to get your daily carbs from fiber-rich sources when possible.

Low-carb rice options

Do you love the texture of rice but want to use a rice substitute with fewer carbs? You can by making rice out of cauliflower or broccoli. You can also use koniac, which is an Asian root vegetable. This is known as Shirataki rice. While you can purchase the low-carb rice substitutes at some specialty health food stores and grocery stores, you may want to consider making some on your own. Making them is relatively simple:Chop the vegetable of your choice to place in a food processorPulse in a food processor until you achieve your desired consistencyYou can put it in the microwave for a few minutes or cook on the stove. You may want to cook it for a shorter time to retain some of the raw crunch.Summary Vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, and koniac are good substitutes if you’re looking to replace rice with fewer carbs. You can mimic the texture of rice by chopping these vegetables in a food processor.

The takeaway

As with most things in life, balance and moderation are key. Make it a point to pair rice with nutritious, health-promoting foods. Rice should only make up about a third or quarter of your meal. Ideally rice should be paired with vegetables and lean protein. Use it as a side dish or in soups or casseroles. Because it’s high in fiber, brown rice can help you to feel fuller between meals. However, you can pair white rice with high-fiber beans or vegetables to get a similar effect. Last medically reviewed on October 4, 2022

How we vetted this article

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Daily value on the new nutrition and supplement facts labels. (2022).
fda.gov/food/new-nutrition-facts-label/daily-value-new-nutrition-and-supplement-facts-labelsDietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025. (2020).
dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2021-03/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans-2020-2025.pdfKimura Y, et al. (2021). Dietary fiber intake and risk of type 2 diabetes in a general Japanese population: The Hisayama Study.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8015811/Rahim AFA, et al. (2021). The effect of a brown-rice diets on glycemic control and metabolic parameters in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8164413/Rice and wild rice September grains of the month. (n.d.).
wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/easy-ways-enjoy-whole-grains/grain-month-calendar/rice-and-wild-rice-septemberU.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. (2019). FoodData Central.
fdc.nal.usda.gov/Soliman GA. (2019). Dietary fiber, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6566984/Types of rice. (n.d.).
wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/easy-ways-enjoy-whole-grains/grain-month-calendar/wild-rice-september-grain-month-0Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Current Version Oct 5, 2022 Medically Reviewed By Sade Meeks, MS, RD Aug 13, 2019 By Emily Cronkleton Edited By John Bassham Copy Edited By Copy Editors VIEW ALL HISTORY Share this articleMedically reviewed by Sade Meeks, MS, RD, Nutrition — By Emily Cronkleton — Updated on October 4, 2022

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