Is White Rice Bad For You?
Also Known As: polished rice
Short answer
White rice is a primarily neutral food and is fine to eat in moderation.
Recommended Alternative
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
White rice is an extremely popular food that is eaten throughout many regions of the world, especially in Asian countries. It serves as an indispensable daily food staple that provides energy for people of many cultures and is commonly consumed as a side dish to larger entrées such as various types of meat.
White rice is a fairly neutral food. Before it is packaged and sold in stores, it undergoes a refining process which eliminates most of the nutrients that once existed in the grain. By the time the white rice you eat in restaurants or cook at home is ready to be sold, it has been processed to contain almost thirty grams of carbohydrates per serving. The most concerning thing about white rice is its tendency to break down as excess sugar in your body, which can cause negative side effects such as diabetes and weight gain. Most of its grain-based fiber has also been removed, making large amounts harmful to the gut. Therefore, it is important to eat white rice sparingly and ensure that you depend on other foods with more nutrients and less sugar and carbohydrates to fill you up throughout the day.
White rice is not going to kill you and is fine to eat as a side dish along with the rest of your meal. However, brown rice is a healthier alternative, as it is not put through the extensive refining process that white rice is and therefore retains much of its natural nutrients.
Possible short-term side effects
Possible long-term side effects
Ingredients to be aware of
- arsenic (very low levels)
-
excess carbs
Healthier alternatives
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Lundberg Basmati Rice
- USDA Certified Organic
- Non-GMO
- Gluten-Free & Vegan
- Fluffy, Clump-free Texture
- Pleasant Aroma
Learn More!
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Written by Shaylie F
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-15-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Shaylie F
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-15-2023
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