For lower calorie and carbohydrate content, rice comes out top. But if protein and fibre is your aim, pasta wins over rice. That said, both can play a part in a healthy diet - and as the nutritional differences are quite small, it often comes down to which you would prefer.
Of rice, pasta, potatoes, and bread, potatoes are the healthiest of these starchy and complex carbohydrate foods. This is because potatoes are dense in nutrients, containing essential minerals, vitamins, and other micronutrients.
Almost all of the calories in pasta and rice come from carbohydrates. However, there are a few differences to note in the nutritional profiles of rice vs pasta. The primary differences are that rice contains fewer calories than pasta, and pasta provides more fiber and protein than rice.
1. Whole-Wheat Pasta. Whole-wheat pasta is an easy-to-find nutritious noodle that will bump up the nutrition of your pasta dish. Made from whole grains, every cup of cooked pasta (140 grams) boasts 3 g of fiber and 8 g of protein per serving, per the USDA.
It's Part of a Good Diet
Pasta is made from grain, one of the basic food groups in a healthy diet that also can include vegetables, fruits, fish, and poultry. It's a good source of energy and can give you fiber, too, if it's made from whole grain. That can help with stomach problems and may help lower cholesterol.
In fact, whole wheat or whole grain pasta is the best option for weight loss as whole wheat pasta takes longer to digest than pasta made from refined flour. Slower digestion means blood sugar will rise slowly after consumption, preventing your body from storing excess fat.
Rice. An obvious choice as a pasta substitute, rice is the other pantry staple carb that we love to have on hand.
Rice Nutrition and Benefits
A cup of rice contains about 250 calories and 53 grams of carbohydrates, putting it ahead of its pasta rival in calories and carbs. Compared to pasta, rice—brown and white—contains far less protein (roughly 2 grams per serving compared to pasta's 8 grams) and fiber (1 gram for brown rice, .
Although sometimes harder to find, black rice is the number one nutritional rock star among rice varieties. 1 It's high in fiber and nutrients that lower cholesterol, promote healthy digestion, and stave off chronic disease.
Although avoiding white bread, pasta, rice and potatoes can be a useful step toward weight loss, it should be done as part of a healthy program that includes a balanced diet, along with exercise. For guidance on weight loss plans that may be right for you, consider meeting with a dietitian or talk with your doctor.
The healthiest sources of carbohydrates—unprocessed or minimally processed whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans—promote good health by delivering vitamins, minerals, fiber, and a host of important phytonutrients.
The dietary pattern of eating rice as a staple food includes lower intake of fat and saturated fat and higher intake of dietary fiber compared with eating wheat flour products as staple foods [4].
Italians eat the most pasta worldwide – about 60 pounds of pasta per person per year. Most Italians eat pasta every day but they keep their portions in check. A portion in Italy is about a cup and the meal includes a small portion of meat and a large portion of vegetables and salad.
It turns out that pasta is not only delicious but can also help you shed those extra pounds. According to a study published in the journal BMJ Open, people who eat pasta as part of a low-glycemic index diet actually lose weight.
Spaghetti is rich in fiber, protein, and minerals like calcium, iron, phosphorus, and magnesium. More importantly, it does not contain any cholesterol and saturated fats. Whole wheat spaghetti is richer in nutrients and contains unrefined carbs.
Basmati rice is a staple in the Indian diet. This rice is grown in India's desert regions, making it a good source of nutritive minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium. It's also high in dietary fiber and has a low glycemic index. This makes it an ideal grain to have in your meal plan following a healthy diet.
Jasmine rice is high in carbohydrates, moderate in protein, and low in fat, making it a healthy choice for people who are looking for a filling, low-fat food. Jasmine rice is not a significant source of vitamins or minerals. But it does contain small amounts of calcium, iron, and some B vitamins.
Quinoa and rice are comparable in terms of calories and fiber content. They're both nutritious ingredients that can complement a well-rounded diet, but quinoa has the edge. It is a complete protein, while brown rice only contains a few of the essential amino acids.
At 117 calories per 100g Vs pasta's 160 calories per 100g, rice has significantly lower calories, so swapping pasta to rice may be beneficial for anyone controlling their calories as a way to lose or maintain their weight.
Whether you should choose rice or bread depends on your nutritional goals, as rice provides more vitamins and minerals but bread is lower in calories and carbohydrates. Whichever you choose, opt for the whole-grain version for the best health results.
Yes, whole grain bread is very good for weight loss. Eating whole grains have been shown to help eliminate more belly fat when compared to eating refined grains. Whole grain bread contains fiber, which may also help keep you full for longer, making it easier to eat less overall and help lose weight.