Are Rice Cakes Healthy? 4 Health Benefits Of Rice Cakes
Rice cakes have been the go-to diet food since the 1990s, primarily because of their delicious taste and different flavors to delight your taste buds.
Are Rice Cakes A Healthy Snack?
When we think of simple and healthy snacks, mouth-watering rice cakes are undoubtedly one of the best foods that instantly come to mind. They are crunchy, versatile, and shelf-stable. But are rice cakes really healthy? Let's find out.
The answer is a big yes! Rice cakes are without a doubt a healthy snack. They are allergen-friendly and contain no animal products, which makes them a great choice for vegans and vegetarians.
Low in calories, rice cakes are best paired with other foods and toppings such as peanut butter, banana, almonds, sliced boiled egg, avocados, fresh ground pepper, pasta sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, hummus and sliced peppers, or grilled chicken with homemade basil pesto sauce.
Let's now find out what makes rice cakes a delicious and perfect snack for fitness enthusiasts.
Fiber: Rice cakes, especially those made of brown rice, are highly nutritive as they are rich in fiber. In fact, you can satisfy your entire day's whole grain requirements by just consuming 1½ cups of brown rice.
Energy: Rice includes carbohydrates that feed your body with energy so you can handle intense workouts without feeling fatigued. Moreover, rice offers long-lasting energy, unlike refined grains that are quickly digested by the body.
Low in calories: Ideal for fitness enthusiasts who are on a diet, rice cakes are low in calories. They also don't contain much sodium or fat. Furthermore, rice cakes help you feel fuller for longer which helps you avoid food cravings every now and then. Two standard-sized brown rice cakes contain 70 calories, 06 grams fat, 1.5 grams protein, 14.4 grams carbohydrates, 45mg sodium, and 53mg potassium.
Improves mood and the overall sense of well-being: In addition to physical health benefits, rice cakes also offer great benefits for your emotional well-being. The consumption of rice produces serotonin (a neurotransmitter) that can enhance your mood and the overall sense of well-being. They also provide a gluten-free option for those with gluten sensitivity or Celiac disease.
Ideally, you should look for rice cake varieties that include whole grain brown rice. Moreover, you should pay attention to any form of added sugars in flavored rice cake products or instead opt for the no added flavor options.
Also, you should have a close look at the salt content in the rice cake packs and prefer to buy no or low salt varieties. It is also best to avoid rice cakes with colors, preservatives, and artificial flavors.
Though they are simple, rice cakes can be an excellent snack and are enriched with a variety of toppings to boost their nutritional values, too. All in all, rice cakes are a great choice for anyone who is on a budget or wants to opt for a healthy and nutritious choice.
Time to delight your taste buds with delicious and mouth-watering rice cakes! One thing is for sure, you just cannot miss out on the amazing texture and taste of rice cakes.