White Rice Can Be Superior to Brown for Athletes and Here’s Why (2024)

White Rice Can Be Superior to Brown for Athletes and Here’s Why (1)

While the title focuses explicitly on athletes, the general public and population can also benefit from white rice. There has been much debate over white rice versus brown rice, and while you really can’t go wrong with either source, this article will focus exclusively on white rice and the benefits that can be produced through implementing it into your nutrition plan.

White Rice vs. Brown Rice

Rice is one of the most important parts of a diet for many people all around the world. The two primary types of rice are white rice and brown rice. Both of them technically come from the same grain, but white rice goes through a different processing procedure when compared to brown rice.

Brown rice can be considered as more nutritional and a recommended food that may improve eating habits as well as overall health. However, many athletes follow a different nutrition plan when compared to the general population, and that’s where white rice can be very advantageous.

Consuming white rice as a main carbohydrate source for athletes comes down to a matter of replenishing glycogen levels and helping to provide quick bursts of energy. This is helpful for those who are resistance training as well as endurance athletes as well. Athletes generally do not try to lose weight – most are looking to enhance their lean muscle mass. Therefore, athletes require a lot of carbs to fuel the requirements put on their bodies.

When you are engaging in intense workouts, the glycogen stores in your body can quickly become depleted. Hence, eating the right carbohydrates is extremely important to recharge and restore your body’s fuel storage with more glycogen.

The Significance of White Rice

Athletes and fitness enthusiasts know the high glycemic value present in white rice that provides them the quick surge of energy necessary for intense workout sessions as well as the ability to help improve muscle recovery.

It is also imperative to understand one of the main drawbacks to consuming something like brown rice. Brown rice and various whole grains contain phytic acid. Phytic acid is an anti-nutrient that binds to essential minerals our body needs such as zinc, calcium, iron, and magnesium, and can prevent our body from adequately absorbing them.

Phytic acid is located in the bran of the grain. The processing of white rice removes the bran. It is probably the only time where refining food potentially has a benefit.

Some Additional Benefits of White Rice:

  • The macronutrient ratio in white rice and brown rice are quite similar. The only difference between the two types of rice lies in their micronutrient values.
  • White rice does provide large doses of selenium, iron, B-complex vitamins, and manganese.
  • It is a good source of potassium, magnesium, copper, and other minerals.
  • White rice is easier to digest than brown rice as it contains less fiber. It is true that fiber is good for digestive health and glycemic control, but it has a negligible impact on workouts. In addition, brown rice may cause digestive issues and bloating.
  • White rice is a low FODMAP food. A low FODMAP diet helps the gut to heal, which is incredibly beneficial if you have GI problems such as IBS. People with GI issues should lean more towards white rice as a part of their nutritional and carbohydrate needs.

Pride Foods uses organic white rice in every bag of Rice N'Grinds. Only the best for our customers. Choose from one of our great tasting flavors or the popular unflavored.

White Rice Can Be Superior to Brown for Athletes and Here’s Why (2)

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White Rice Can Be Superior to Brown for Athletes and Here’s Why (2024)

FAQs

White Rice Can Be Superior to Brown for Athletes and Here’s Why? ›

White rice is easier to digest than brown rice as it contains less fiber. It is true that fiber is good for digestive health and glycemic control, but it has a negligible impact on workouts. In addition, brown rice may cause digestive issues and bloating. White rice is a low FODMAP food.

Why white rice is better for athletes than brown rice? ›

The phytic acid makes brown rice harder to digest than white. Athletes and lifters also opt for white rice over brown because of the digestibility. This makes it much easier to eat after a workout. However, this digestibility does come with a drop in nutritional value.

Why is white rice better for you then brown? ›

Brown rice is a more nutrient-dense product than white rice. Because of this, brown rice may help reduce blood sugar levels and aid in managing weight. But white rice is good for people with certain digestive issues and those who can't digest fiber-rich foods well.

Why do people like white rice better? ›

White rice is bland, low in fiber and easy to digest, making it a good option for people with digestive problems, nausea or heartburn.

Why is brown rice a healthier option? ›

Although brown rice requires more water and longer cooking time as compared to white rice, it is higher in vitamins, minerals and fibre due to its intact bran and germ.

Which rice is better for athletes? ›

Athletes and fitness enthusiasts know the high glycemic value present in white rice that provides them the quick surge of energy necessary for intense workout sessions as well as the ability to help improve muscle recovery.

Is white rice better than brown rice for weight gain? ›

Studies have shown that consuming too much of white rice can cause weight-gain, while weight-gain from brown rice is not significant irrespective of how much is consumed. That is why, people with weight issues or those trying to maintain a healthy weight must consume more of brown than white rice.

What's the healthiest rice? ›

For example, whole grains are better for our health when compared to simple carbs – which is why brown rice or black rice are regarded as the healthiest options. You should certainly be looking into eating whole grain rice.

What are the pros and cons of brown rice? ›

“Brown rice will also keep you feeling full longer, which helps when you're watching how much you eat,” says Czerwony. There is one negative on the ledger for brown rice: arsenic. Brown rice contains elevated levels of the naturally occurring toxic element, which is present in many foods.

What are the benefits of white rice? ›

In fact, it is a good source of folic acid, potassium, and magnesium, which are important for healthy cell function, blood pressure regulation, and prevention of heart disease. It is also low in fat and sodium, which can help reduce the risk of obesity and hypertension.

Can you eat rice every day? ›

Rice may be healthy, but is it okay to eat it every single day? Both Newman and Caspero recommend eating a wide variety of foods because that's the best way to get all the nutrients the body needs. That said, eating rice every day can be healthy, as long as you are meeting your nutritional needs through other foods.

Why shouldn't we eat rice at night? ›

It is not considered right to consume rice at night. Even eating any carbohydrate food at night is not considered proper. Eating carbohydrate foods at night can lead to stomach bloating and also weight gain. In addition, eating rice at night can cause other problems like cold and cough.

What's easier to digest, white or brown rice? ›

In conclusion, there are a few benefits to choosing white over brown. It's easier to digest, has a lower glycemic index, and contains fewer antioxidants. However, Brown rice is still a healthier choice than refined grains. It has higher fiber content, a lower glycemic index, and more antioxidants.

Why is brown better than white rice? ›

It has more fiber, vitamins, and minerals such as iron, magnesium, and copper. This comes from the fact that brown rice is rice before the bran and germ (outer shell of the grain) is removed.

Is rice better than pasta? ›

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, .

Does rice burn fat? ›

Reality: No rice variety possesses inherent fat-burning properties. While black, red, and wild rice do offer certain nutritional benefits over white rice, there is no scientific evidence of their fat-burning properties.

Why do most bodybuilders eat rice? ›

In conclusion, rice is a fundamental component of a bodybuilder's diet due to its high carbohydrate content, ease of digestion, and versatility. It supports the high-energy demands of intense training and aids in recovery and muscle growth.

Why do athletes eat cream of rice? ›

Why do bodybuilders eat cream of rice? Bodybuilders eat cream of rice because it's a powerhouse of easily digestible complex carbohydrates, providing a quick and sustained source of energy.

Is white rice actually healthier? ›

Many people consider white rice an “empty” or “bad” carb since it loses nutrients when the bran and germ are removed. However, white rice is typically enriched with added nutrients such as iron and B vitamins. So while brown rice does have more nutrients than white rice, white rice is still considered nutritious.

How much rice should an athlete eat per day? ›

One to two full cups of uncooked rice gets athletes around 700-1000 calories which will help replenish glycogen. Doing that once or twice a day gives the body a large number of carbohydrates to feel nice and energized. It also goes a long way for bigger-bodied athletes.

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