Are Rice Cakes Bad For You?
Short answer
Rice cakes are not bad for you, but they have barely any nutritional value. It is also important to note that some brands have high sodium, added sugars, and are produced using GMOs. Buying whole-grain and organic rice cakes is recommended.
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A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Rice was first domesticated and cultivated in China over 10,000 to 14,000 years ago and spread largely throughout Asia. Rice became one of the most important grains in Asian cuisine because of its versatility and easy production. This lead to the invention of rice cakes, which is a pastry made from rice packed together into a circular shape, the most common type being puff rice cakes, commonly found in the United States and Europe.
Rice cakes made from brown rice are not unhealthy and can provide vital carbs to help you have energy throughout the day. They tend to be gluten and fat-free, so they are a good snack to consume in moderation. However, some rice cakes do have added sugar and sodium, which can lead to weight gain if not consumed in moderation. Since the main ingredient, rice, is cholesterol free, rice cakes are a healthy alternative to snacks with high amounts of cholesterol. Rice has also been found to be good for the metabolism and can help regulate bowel movements because of its high fiber content.
The rice in rice cakes can, however, be genetically modified, or GMO. The reason for this genetic modification is to produce a crop that is resistant to disease, pests, and herbicides. The genetic modification can also affect the crop size and its nutrients. GMO is generally avoided by conscious consumers because of the herbicides used in the growth of these crops, as well as potential effects caused directly from GMOs. The herbicides the rice is doused with can be absorbed by the plant and can become endocrine disruptors if consumed. Furthermore, rice is often watered through flooding techniques, which means that the chemicals in herbicides can be carried through the water and become absorbed in the soil. Furthermore, some commercial rice cakes, like Quakers Rice Cakes, contain soy lecithin. More than 90% of the soy grown in the United States is GMO. GMO soybeans have been linked to ailments such as infertility, digestive problems, and inflammation, among others.
When consuming rice cakes, you should be aware of the ingredients. Check if the cake is made from whole grain brown rice, and whether it has any added sugar. When in doubt, it is best to eat organic rice cakes, like Lundberg Organic Rice Cakes.
Possible long-term side effects
- weight gain
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effects from gmos
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
- provides sustained energy
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gluten and fat-free
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rice helps regulate bowel movements
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rice helps the body’s metabolism
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Lundberg Thin Stackers
- Low-calorie snack
- Organic brown rice
- Lightly salted
- Vegan-friendly
- Healthy snack choice
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Written by Viviana Del Manzano
Published on: 06-19-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Viviana Del Manzano
Published on: 06-19-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
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