Yeah, They’re Gluten-Free, But Are Rice Noodles Healthy? (2024)

FAQs

Yeah, They’re Gluten-Free, But Are Rice Noodles Healthy? ›

They may be gluten-free—but are rice noodles healthy? The answer is (thankfully) heck yes. With a moderate amount of calories and minimal fat, rice noodles are a healthy choice whether you're avoiding gluten or not.

Notably, they're suitable for people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Rice noodles are low in fat and moderate in calories, making them a healthy option.

Rice noodles are also rich in selenium, an antioxidant that helps to protect your body from the risk of cancer, heart disease and many other serious illnesses. Finally, there is phosphorus. This helps with the storage and efficient use of energy and is important for healthy kidney function.

Rice noodle production requires multiple processing steps, which commonly include aging, rinsing, soaking, and milling of the rice, followed by gelatinization, extruding/slitting, cooking, retrogradation, acid leaching, drying, packing, and sterilization.

Some healthy and tasty gluten-free pasta alternatives include shirataki noodles, brown rice pasta, quinoa pasta, and chickpea pasta, among others. For pasta lovers, going gluten-free may seem far more daunting than a simple diet modification.

Unlike egg noodles, rice noodles are gluten-free and vegan. That's because they contain no wheat or animal products. They can be made using red, white, or brown rice. Rice noodles are lower in calories, fat, and protein than egg noodles.

They're Rich in Manganese and Selenium

Manganese is a mineral that's crucial in regulating blood sugar and reducing inflammation. A two-ounce serving of rice noodles boasts 14 percent of your daily recommended manganese.

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.

Rice noodles have a high glycemic index, making them easy to digest. In addition, unlike regular noodles, rice noodles are gluten-free, making them perfect for patients suffering from gluten intolerance or allergies and for celiac patients.

Do rice noodles raise cholesterol? ›

The favorite choice for the term "Rice Noodles" is 1 cup of Rice Noodles (Cooked) which has no cholesterol. The amount of cholesterol for a variety of types and serving sizes of Rice Noodles is shown below.

Ingredients. Rice flour (87%), water, tapioca starch.

In conclusion, both pasta and rice can be healthy options when consumed in moderation and paired with nutrient-dense ingredients. However, if we were to compare the two, whole-grain pasta is generally considered a healthier option than white rice due to its higher fiber content and lower glycemic index.

When whole-wheat noodles are made, the entire grain stays intact, leaving you with a noodle that's higher in nutrients. The fiber helps you stay fuller, support healthy blood sugar levels, improve your gut health, and can even help to support healthy cholesterol levels.

Rice noodles, made from refined rice flour, have a high glycemic index. On average, a 1-cup serving of cooked rice noodles contains approximately 40-45 grams of carbohydrates. This means they are rapidly digested and can cause a significant increase in blood sugar levels.

In conclusion, both pasta and rice can be healthy options when consumed in moderation and paired with nutrient-dense ingredients. However, if we were to compare the two, whole-grain pasta is generally considered a healthier option than white rice due to its higher fiber content and lower glycemic index.

Glass noodles are lower in calories and GI.

This is because they can absorb a lot more water than rice and wheat noodles; so a plate of cooked glass noodles actually contains less carbs because there's more water in it. They are also lower in glycemic index than rice or wheat noodles.

Generally speaking, gluten free processed foods tend to be slightly higher in calories, but this vastly depends on the ingredients used to make your favourite wheat-free products.