Did you know there is a rice debate?  Which is better for you… brown or white rice?  Or are they same?  This week I delved into this topic to see just what the science shows.

I’m really into nutrition. My kind friends put up with a lot of nutrition-centric shares and posts on Facebook. So, when I recently made dinner for a friend, she was a little surprised to see plain ol’ white rice on the menu. “Isn’t brown rice healthier?”

It’s a simple question that most people would quickly answer “Yes! Brown rice is WAY healthier than white rice.” I don’t disagree, but I don’t completely agree either. Part of me feels busted when I serve white rice, but I also know that there is more to the brown vs. white rice debate than most people usually hear.

Today, we’re going to talk about some of the facts about white rice and brown rice. Then you can decide for yourself which is better for your lifestyle.

What’s the Difference?

White rice and brown rice are the exact same grain. Brown rice is the whole grain, unmodified version. White rice is the endosperm of the rice grain; the bran and germ have been removed. The endosperm houses all the starch. The bran is the fiber. The germ contains the oils.

What about nutritional differences? Here are a few facts, the good and the bad, about brown rice and white rice:

Brown Rice Facts