Although food and diet trends come and go, the basic remain. For thousands of years, rice is one of the most recognized nutritious grains in the world and is a staple of one of the most healthy diets today: the Asian diet.
California rice is a healthful, yet great-tasting food choice that is an important component in providing your customers with a balanced diet. This wholesome, nutritious grain:
- Contains only about 100 calories per 1/2-cup serving
- Is cholesterol-free and sodium-free
- Contains only a trace of fat
- Is a complex carbohydrate, which fuels the body
- In its brown form, is a good source of fiber
- Is gluten-free and non-allergenic
- Is easy to digest
Brown rice is milled to retain the rice bran layer, which gives it a nutty flavor and retains more of the vitamins and fiber. White rice is milled to remove the bran layer for a milder taste and texture.
When planning your menu, remember: the key to healthy eating is consuming complex carbohydrates with moderate amounts of protein and fat. As a matter of fact, the National Academy of Science recommends,
"45 to 65 percent of calories comes from carbs, with a minimum of 130 grams of carbs daily to produce enough glucose for normal brain function."
Also understand that no one diet works for everyone. So before rushing to adjust your menus to reduce or eliminate carbohydrates consult with a health and nutrition professional to provide information on well balanced and portioned meals.
