If you enjoy starting your day with hot breakfast cereal, you may likely hear of Cream Of Rice.
Cream of Rice is a popular classic hot breakfast cereal option that’s been around since 1893. It is made from granulated rice and as the name indicates is creamy in texture(After making).
However, one common question that most people ask(including me) is whether or not Cream Of Rice is healthy.
Short answer: Cream of Rice is healthy as it is good source of complex carbs and is high in iron, calcium, Vitamin D, and B vitamins. In addition, it is fat and sugar-free making it good option for those looking to maintain weight.
Read on to find out more about Cream Of Rice, including it’s ingredients, protein, carbs, iron, calcium content and more.
So let’s start.
Also read: Is Coco Wheats Healthy? The Truth About This Hot Cereal
What are the ingredients in Cream Of Rice?
The Cream Of Rice is made up of granulated rice.
Granulated rice is a type of rice that has been processed into small pieces(similar in appearance to couscous or quinoa).
Compared to regular rice, it has a different texture and may cook more quickly due to its smaller size.
In addition to granulated rice, Cream Of Rice contains some vitamins like B1, B2, B3, D, B6, and B9 and is a good source of minerals like calcium and iron.
That’s all you got in Cream Of Rice.
How much protein is in Cream Of Rice?
Cream Of Rice is low in protein containing just 2g per serving(45g).
I know that’s too low for breakfast, but Cream Of Rice is not marketed as protein-rich food.
However, low protein in Cream Of Rice is not a big issue as it is usually consumed with milk, which enhances its protein content.
For example, consuming a single serving of Cream Of Rice with 250ml of cow milk, can provide about 8 to 9g of protein, which is decent.
Additionally, you can also add other protein-rich foods such as nuts or seeds to it.
Alternatively, you can enjoy it with a side of eggs or yogurt, which will give you an additional protein boost.
Is Cream Of Rice good for bodybuilding?
At first glance, you may assume that Cream of Rice is not a good choice for bodybuilding based on its protein content.
However, it may surprise you that many bodybuilders include this food in their diets, and the reason is not protein. It’s carbs.
Cream Of Rice is good for bodybuilding(especially pre-workout) as it is a high source of carbohydrates(complex) that provide energy for your workout.
When you consume Cream Of Rice, the carbohydrates in it break down into glucose, which fuels your muscles during the workout.
These carbs also help to replenish the glycogen stores in your muscles, which become depleted during exercise.
Therefore, consuming Cream Of Rice before a workout can give you the energy you need for bodybuilding.
What type of carbs does Cream Of Rice has? Cream Of Rice is made up of rice containing complex carbs which provides more sustained energy than simple carbs.
Is Cream Of Rice a good source of Iron?
Cream Of Rice is an excellent source of Iron, providing 12.6mg per serving.
That’s 85% of the daily value of Iron for women and more than 100% for men, as per NHS guidelines[1].
This is much more iron than in other similar hot breakfast cereals like Cream Of Wheat and malt-o-meal.
How much calcium is in Cream Of Rice?
Cream Of Rice is a good source of calcium containing 340mg per serving. That’s 34% of the daily recommended calcium.
The overall calcium content further increases when paired with the milk. A single serving of Cream Of Rice with 250ml of milk can provide roughly 600mg of calcium.
That’s good.
Furthermore, in addition to calcium, Cream Of Rice is fortified with vitamin D(25% of daily value), making it great for your bones and teeth health.
Is Cream Of Rice low in glycemic index?
While the official GI(glycemic index) of Cream Of Rice is unknown, its rice-based cereal suggests that it likely has a medium glycemic index.
Can diabetics eat Cream Of Rice?
Rice-based cereals affect blood sugar levels less than many other breakfast options due to their low (GL)glycemic load.
Moreover, Cream Of Rice is packed with good carbs and is fat and sugar-free, making it good to eat in moderation for diabetics.
Is Cream of Rice good for weight loss?
Cream Of Rice is good for weight loss as it is both fat and sugar-free.
It is also low calories with just 150 per serving.
What’s more impressive that most of these calories come from complex carbohydrates, making it a good option for those seeking to lose weight.
The only thing you need to watch out for when eating Cream Of Rice is extra sugar or other ingredients that you might add.
Anyway, consuming even two servings of Cream Of Rice is unlikely to impact weight significantly.
Remember that weight loss depends not only on one specific food but also on your overall diet and lifestyle.
Is it OK to eat Cream Of Rice everyday?
It is generally safe to consume Cream of Rice regularly as it is high in carbs that will provide you with sustained energy.
In addition, it is packed with many vitamins and a decent amount of iron and calcium.
However, if you have specific health goals or going through a medical condition, it is best to consume per your needs.
Is Cream of Rice gluten-free?
Cream Of Rice is naturally gluten-free and as well as marketed as.
It is made up of 100% granulated rice and contains no gluten-containing ingredients.
This makes it a safe and delicious energy-packed option for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
Is Cream Of Rice vegan?
Cream Of Rice cannot be considered vegan-friendly as it contains vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol), which may or may not be derived from animals.
However, since there is no official statement or claim by Cream Of Rice stating that it is vegan-friendly, it can be assumed that it is not vegan-friendly.
Is Cream Of Rice better than Cream Of Wheat?
Nutritionally, Cream Of Wheat(original) has more fiber and protein, fewer calories, and more vitamins and contains sodium. In comparison, Cream Of Rice has slightly more calcium and Iron.
If I had to choose one, it would be Cream Of Wheat nutritionally.
Note that Cream Of Wheat is available in different flavors, and therefore nutritional value may differ. Some flavors also contain added sugar.
If compared based on ingredients, Cream of Wheat(original) contains extra ingredients such as BHT, guar gum ore, and natural flavor.
On the other hand, Cream Of Rice has just one simple ingredient, i.e., granulated rice.
Though, note that both Cream of Wheat and Cream of Rice is unsuitable for vegans as they contain vitamin D3.
Is Cream Of Rice better than regular rice(white)?
Nutritionally, Cream of Rice takes the lead in comparison to regular white rice.
Cream of Rice contains more protein, carbs, calcium, iron, and higher levels of B vitamins. However, Cream of Rice does have more calories than white rice.
Although note that Cream of Rice is more processed than regular white rice, which could be a concern for some people.
Final words
Cream of Rice is healthy as it is made from rice which is good source of complex carbs that provide sustained energy. In addition, it is a good source of Iron, calcium, Vitamin D, and B vitamins.
Moreover, Cream of Rice is gluten, fat, and sugar-free, making it a good option for those looking to regulate their blood sugar levels.
However, it’s important to note that Cream of Rice is still a processed food but still better than other breakfast options such as cornflakes, pancakes, waffles, muffins, and refined cereals.
So go ahead and enjoy Cream Of Rice.
Found this information helpful? Share it.
Here are a few other posts that might also be helpful for you.
- Is Total Cereal Healthy? The Truth About This Breakfast
- Are Coco Pops Healthy? The Truth About This Breakfast Cereal
- Is Vector Cereal Healthy? The Truth About This Breakfast
- Is Great Grains Cereal Healthy? Here Is The Answer
- Are Triscuits Healthy? The Truth About These Crackers
- Is Bear Naked Granola Healthy? Here Is The Answer
