Brown Rice and Whole Wheat Pasta

Victoriaaah

I prefer the taste of white rice and white/regular pasta as opposed to the whole wheat and brown versions. Is there really a big difference? My husband and I have been buying whole wheat pasta for at least 5 years now, but when we go out to eat, or when we eat at social gatherings, the white pasta's texture is so much better. Brown rice is a little crispier in texture, and it's not as sticky. (I'm asian, so sticky rice is a big thing for me.)

What are your thoughts about this? I wasn't sure if we were the only ones thinking about this stuff. Any input is greatly appreciated.

frugalmomsrock

I prefer whole wheat pasta, but I sometimes get the veggie pastas too-which are made with white flours.

I like brown rice, but I only do the boil in bag ones. They turn out better to me. I just read on here a couple months ago about someone getting brown jasmine rice--you'd probably like that better! I haven't tried it yet, but I haven't been to Whole Foods in a while (long drive, so I don't go much).

TJtastic

I'm interested to see the responses on this. I too have had the same question because my brown rice and white rice labels have exactly the same numbers. So what's the difference? BUT, from what I've read and been told - your body processes it different? I don't know how accurate that information is though.

frugalmomsrock

I believe that white products (all white-bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, etc) spike the sugar levels faster (thereby the energy from them is fast lost). Brown products are burned away more slowly and don't spike sugar levels --the sweet potatoes, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, etc., and therefore provide energy longer.

Degator

I have no idea about the nutritional value, but the texture is very different. I have tried to like brown rice, but without the stickiness, it just doesn't work for me.

karensoxfan

I usually prefer white pasta over whole wheat, but I really like some of the blends that are available now (like Barilla Plus). There's a lot of flavor difference between brands too.

For rice, it's been more a matter of taking time to get used to the difference in texture. I sometimes have trouble cooking brown rice, but like Frugalmomsrock, I've had better luck with the boil-in-bag ones. Frozen, pre-cooked brown rice is good too. Probably not for rolling sushi, but for serving with a stir-fry or similar dish, it's a nice change of pace.

I still love white rice though too, so I try to balance them, but really end up eating white rice more.

Victoriaaah

Thanks for all of the input. I will definitely try the Barilla Plus/vegetable type of pasta. I've got the mack daddy of rice cookers, so cooking it is not an issue for me, but I'll keep trying with that!

UpEarly

I don't care for brown rice or whole wheat pasta (although the Barilla Plus blended pasta is good), so I simply don't eat it. I get whole grains and fiber elsewhere in my diet. Also, I don't eat a lot of rice or pasta to begin with. So, on the occasions I do eat it, I'm going to eat what tastes good to me and not worry so much about which is healthier.

I think you'll be fine with the white rice and pasta. :-)

ShannonMpls

Brown rice is a whole grain and is less processed than white. I'm surprised people are seeing matching labels between the two. Brown rice has considerably more fiber than white rice. White rice has a higher glycemic index than white rice, which means it raises blood glucose levels more quickly. White rice also is stripped, through the processing, of nutrients. These are often added back in, but I think it's questionable whether they are absorbed and utilized by the body in the same way as naturally occurring nutrients in brown, unprocessed rice.

For those who like sticky rice, have you tried cooking short grain brown rice instead of the more typical long grain? I use both, and my short grain comes out so well. It might also be the rice cooker (I use a Zojirushi), but my short grain is sticky and long grain are firm and separated grains.

Victoriaaah

Good to know! Thank you! I love my Zojirushi too! I hate cooking rice on the stove...

ShannonMpls

Good to know! Thank you! I love my Zojirushi too! I hate cooking rice on the stove...

Isn't it the best thing ever? I love making steel cut oats in it too. I never thought I'd love a rice cooker so much!

msciaobella

the glycemic index of whole wheat pasta is much lower than the white version, less sugar spiking = less cravings!