Is Rice Paleo Friendly & Should YOU Eat It?

In this blog post, I weigh in on the debate of ‘is rice paleo?’. I will look at its nutritional profile, pros and cons, white rice vs brown rice and explain why white rice can be included in the paleo diet in the right context.


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It’s not a secret that I eat white rice. Not a lot. Not very often. But I do.

In the paleo circles, this is often met with a few raised eyebrows and healthy debate. Is rice paleo? Is it okay to eat in small amounts? Why? And in what context? These are the questions I will try to answer in this post. I explain why white rice is actually pretty safe and why some individuals could tinker with including some white rice in their paleo diet.

Before I get into why I include some white rice in my diet and whether you should or shouldn’t, let’s recap why rice, and grains in general, are not part of the paleo diet.

WHY GRAINS ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE PALEO DIET

There are three main reasons why grains are typically excluded from the paleo diet:

  1. Grains, especially refined grains, are high in carbohydrates. Over-consumption of carbohydrates can lead to insulin resistance, various metabolic dysfunctions, and weight gain. I must point out, again, that the paleo diet is not about cutting out carbohydrates completely, but instead, it focuses on moderate-to-lower consumption and on getting them from more nutrient-dense sources like veggies and fruit.
  2. Grains, and legumes, contain a variety of toxins and gut irritants (also referred to as anti-nutrients) that can compromise the integrity of our gut lining and gut health in general (aka lectins), prevent certain nutrients from being absorbed by the body (aka phytates or phytic acid), and inhibit the production of certain enzymes that we need to digest the protein in the food we eat (aka trypsin inhibitors).
  3. On top of that, grains contain little nutrition when compared to meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, and fruit.

So why do we see white rice appearing on the dinner plates of many paleo advocates, like myself?

Unlike brown rice, and I will explain this in more detail in just a second, white rice is actually the most benign grain of all. And although it lacks nutrients and is high in carbohydrates, it is a very accessible, affordable and convenient food. It can be safely eaten in small amounts in the context of other nutrient-dense foods such as healthy fats, protein and vegetables, and when eaten by lean and active individuals.

 

Brown Rice vs White Rice

Brown rice is often advertised and promoted as the healthier type of rice, and on many levels this is correct. It contains more vitamins, minerals, protein and fibre than its poorer cousin white rice. In fact, white rice is pretty nutrient-void, except for the glucose and a little protein. When it comes nutrients, brown rice is the winner.

The reason brown rice contains more nutrients is that it is unmilled and unpolished, retaining its outer layer. The outer layer of the rice is where you find most of the nutrients. However, this layer also contains the toxic properties and acts as a protective armour of the seed, defending the rice from being eaten by insects and animals, or rather from being digested because the seed wants to get pooped back out so it can reproduce.

By the time the rice seeds are milled and polished all that remains is the white kernel, or white rice, without its armour and all the anti-nutrients contained within it. Any toxins that remain are broken down and denatured after cooking, leaving a simple safe starch that is easily converted in our body to glucose and used for energy.

WHITE RICE & CARBOHYDRATES

Yes, we still have to deal with the high glycemic index of the rice but that also varies between different types. Therefore it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of including the rice in your diet. Brown rice

Yes, it’s easy to digest and it doesn’t contain any fructose so it’s good for those with fructose malabsorption issues, and it’s cheap and easy to prepare. This doesn’t give everyone the green light to eat it.

If you’re overweight, suffer from elevated blood sugar levels, have diabetes or trying to restore your metabolism, you should probably avoid white rice. But if you’re pretty active with a healthy metabolism and stable blood sugar levels, and you’re looking for a safe starch or an extra source of simple carbohydrates to restore glycogen levels post-workout, then white rice is definitely something you can tinker with.

 

Does rice contain arsenic?

Now, I wanted to include a little information about rice and arsenic as that sometimes comes up in conversations. This article by Chris Kresser covers this topic in more detail but here are some points on the matter.

  • Some rice and rice products contain small amounts of arsenic. If consumed in moderation, those amounts are within safe recommended limits.
  • Buy rice form local, organic sources and check how much arsenic they contain. Rinsing rice well and cooking in high water to rice ratio reduces inorganic arsenic content (35-40%).
  • Aromatic rice like Jasmine and Basmati have less. Brown rice contains a lot more arsenic than white rice!
  • Arsenic is present in other foods like roots and green leafy vegetables.
  • In Australia, arsenic levels in rice are regulated by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), which permits a maximum of 1 milligram per kilogram. Australian rice farmers also use rotational rather than intensive farming practices, according to the Rice Growers Association of Australia, which means a lower concentration of chemicals in the soil.

HOW TO INCLUDE RICE IN YOUR PALEO DIET

Consider your goals and current health when deciding to include white rice in your diet. Ask yourself these questions. Do I have a healthy metabolism? Am I trying to lose weight? Am I lean and active? Then work out if you should eat rice AND how much. 

Some people can be allergic to rice so obviously, it should be avoided.

Try to eat small amounts of rice and do it on the days you’re planning a workout or just after a workout. Rice is also a great addition for endurance athletes. Ever heard of carb-loading? Eat some rice the day before a big race.

Wild rice, although more nutritious than white rice, is more similar to brown rice and would need to be soaked, sprouted or fermented, and cooked to partially break down some of the present anti-nutrients.

Different varieties of rice have a varying glycemic index. Basmati rice is considered to have a lower GI (43-65), compared to other types.what to eat with rice

PRESOAK & RINSE THE RICE

Soaking and rinsing rice benefits

Pre-soak and rinse the rice before cooking! Add rice to lots of cold (slightly salted) water and soak for 1 hour before cooking (longer if you want).

Rinse well under hot water followed by cold water (I do 3 rinses in hot water and 2 in cold until the water runs clear) and then cook as usual. Soaking and rinsing help to remove some of the above-mentioned toxins and any traces of arsenic if present.

If you don’t have the time to soak the rice, make sure to rinse it really well as described above. Plus, soaking and rinsing the rice removes some of the starch resulting in fluffy, non-cloggy rice.

what to eat with rice

Use rice as a carrier for nutrient-dense foods rather than the main portion of your meal. For example, it can be a vehicle for healthy oily fish in sushi, you can serve rice noodles cooked in nutritious bone broth with beef and vegetables like in a Vietnamese Pho, or it can be stir-fried with prawns and lots of crunchy veggies or served as a little side with turmeric and coconut oil.

Consider what oil the rice is cooked in when eating out and maybe avoid fried rice and opt for steamed instead. Having said that, adding fat to rice will positively affect its glycaemic index. Adding protein, vegetables (aka fibre) and fat to rice helps to reduce the glycemic index of the overall meal, which means that the carbohydrates will be digested slower and the insulin response will not be as high.

My favourite ways to enjoy rice are with oily fish (sushi, kedgeree, fish rice cakes), broth soups with rice noodles, rice paper rolls.

What to eat with rice that's healthy

 

IN SUMMARY: IS RICE PALEO FRIENDLY?

A little brown or wild rice once in a while won’t kill you – the poison is often in the dosage. However, depending on your goals and gut health, you might want to avoid them. White rice, on the other hand, is less problematic when it comes to your digestive health, however, its carbohydrates levels and glycemic load need to be considered.

I am an active individual with a healthy metabolism and stable blood sugar levels. Therefore, I feel okay including white rice in the context of a healthy, balanced meal, especially when eating out, travelling or working out.

I try to buy organic rice, Basmati when possible, and I eat it in small amounts, usually once or twice a week.

It is up to you to decide whether you’re #teamwhiterice or not. As always, there are many variables to consider.

substitute for rice

There will be many of you who will decide to avoid white rice or any other rice completely. Don’t worry, there are many alternatives to rice that can be used in many classic dishes. I love making cauliflower rice and use it up in dishes such as cauliflower egg fried rice, paleo nasi goreng with chicken and shrimp or in a healthy paella. I make sushi rolls without rice and use zucchini noodles instead of rice noodles or wheat noodles in ramens and soups. 

CURIOUS ABOUT MORE FOODS ON THE PALEO DIET?

You might also be interested to read my posts on the paleo diet and buckwheatgreen peas, quinoa, amaranth, oatmeal, and miso.

Let me know what you think about white rice and the paleo diet in the comments. Would you include it back in your diet on occasion? 

Is Rice Paleo? Everything You Need To Know

 

References

Glycemic Index of Various Brands of Rice in HealthyIndividuals, Int J Endocrinology Metab 2008

Good news about the glycemic index of rice, The Science Daily

Paul Jaminet, Ph.D and Show-Ching Jaminet, Ph.D, The Perfect Health Diet, 2012, Scribner, New York

Russ Crandall, The Ancestral Table, 2013, Victory Belt Publishing Group, Las Vegas

The Dietary Intake of Wheat and other Cereal Grains and Their Role in Inflammation

Is Rice Healthy? byMark’s Daily Apple

Dr. Mercola weighs in on the rice debate in this article

Is Starch a beneficial nutrient or a toxin? You be the judge. by Chris Kresser

All about rice by Paleo Leap

Irena Macri
By Irena Macri

About the author: Hi, I’m Irena Macri. I share delicious recipes that I have cooked and loved. I am a published cookbook author, have been food blogging for over 10 years and have a Diploma in Nutrition. You will find many healthy recipes as well as my favourite comfort food. More about me here | Subscribe to my newsletter and freebies

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Comments

13 Comments
  1. Thank you sooo much for this. I have been feeling so guilty about adding a small amount of rice to my dishes.
    Like you I too like it with fish and I too like the rice noodles and wraps!

    It seems to help me sleep better when I get stressed out from work, or just life in general also!

    Thanks again, I will rice on!!!!!!

    Carol

      1. There are more in pubmed. Just search. It’s very funny how cherry picking data works. You don’t even engage in constructive criticism. You just dismiss it as if Your beliefs are true by default.

    1. As with other types of white rice, ok in moderation. Not 100% sure where its glycemic index is on the scale in comparison to Basmati though.

  2. I cook white basmati rice in homemade chicken broth using the absorption method. The rice soaks up all the nutrients from the broth and tastes amazing!

  3. I’ve read that brown rice is a no go but white is go in moderation, which poses another question now as barley in a no go but pearl barley which is in principle is the barley with out the husk is a lot like white rice and is high in Lysine and has less starch, couldn’t this be a yes in moderation.

    1. The main issue with barley is that it still contains gluten so not great for anyone sensitive to it or just trying to avoid it for other reasons.

  4. I eat both rice, fermented dairy, white potatoes, and soaked beans/lentils (except peanuts & soy – tamari is ok). That’s basically the relaxed Chris Kresser Paleo version. I have absolutely no problem with these foods AFTER I’ve waited more than a year to eat them using Robb Wolf’s strict Paleo version in order to heal first. In fact, I found that I react to coconut flour instead rather than these not-so-strict-paleo foods.

  5. I pretty much gave up rice and other white starches some time ago. I do not miss them. What I do miss, or have a problem with is how to make filling foods eating vegetarian. I add more fat (organic coconut oil) to cooked veggies but rarely feel full enough to get me thru the entire afternoon or evening. I think about eating some rice, properly soaked but would not even consider white rice which is nothing but tasteless starch. However, I am not comfortable eating it due to it to dis-satisfying way it makes me feel–not sick, just Uckie!

    I have also a similar reaction to sweet potatoes or any other kind.

    Plantains are okay in my body and they make a nice simple bread/cake like recipe. But I think they are high on the carb list.

    Looking for suggestions for a vegetarian who rarely will eat chicken/turkey like in November.

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