Is brown rice & quinoa unhealthy?

Eat_clean_stay_tiny
Eat_clean_stay_tiny Posts: 67
in Food and Nutrition
I refuse to eat these food's because of the super high carb content.

Since I'm maintaining though and like to eat healthy I thought I might as well incorporate something new into my lifestyle to mix it up sometimes and I am a vegetarian and I see very many veggie recipes which include quinoa

Are they actually healthy though or are they just bad carbs?

Replies

  • almondbuttalovah
    almondbuttalovah Posts: 3
    "Bad carbs" would be white bread, white rice, candies, sodas, and other sugary, processed things. Quinoa and brown rice are grains and extremely good ways to get your carbs in. I honestly don't think you should fear or label anything off limits at this point in your recovery, though.
  • bearwith
    bearwith Posts: 525 Member
    they are good for you, i try and stay off the rice as is it so rich in calls. qunioa is a complete protein so you need it in everything
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    um, they're both INCREDIBLY good for you.

    quinoa is a complete protein which is rare to find in non-meats

    both are complex carbs, which your body needs for energy. carbs are not the devil.
  • haroon_awan
    haroon_awan Posts: 1,208 Member
    Both are healthy yes, but white rice gets a bad rep in my opinion. This is taken by Olly Foster:

    "Finally it's here....

    Why I prefer white rice over brown rice!

    You will find that most nutritionists assess food by nutrient levels, which gives brown rice a slight edge over white, giving it the good healthier choice belief we need to hear today. However a few others look at the net effect on the body, which in my eyes makes white rice the winner in this dual.

    Here's why!

    Despite claims, brown rice is not the rock of nutrients we are lead to believe it is. In actual fact there’s only one gram of fiber more in half a cup of brown rice than in the same amount of white, which is your typical serving size. So if your eating it for fibre your better off having a good serving of broccoli.

    The most important factor to consider is the down side to brown rice, this is it's anti-nutrients, like phytic acid. Phytic acid is a very powerful blocker of mineral absorption in the gut. It mainly binds with magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc so they can’t be absorbed and utilised as required. These are all key nutrients that our training bodies need as I have mentioned in previous posts.

    Grains, like rice, are the seeds of grasses and have evolved a survival mechanism in their outer bran: plant toxins. Phytates, tannins, enzyme inhibitors, and lectins protect grains form grazing insects and animals by causing health and digestive problems for them, and even us.

    As humans our stomachs are not equipped to break down whole grains without side effects, which include bloating and other digestive problems, creating deficiencies in absorbing vitamins and minerals which can aid in weight gain and auto-immune problems.

    White rice is proven to be far easier to digest and assimilate than other similar grains. Although not loaded with the nutrients we are led to believe, white rice does still help strengthen digestion and health. Basmati and jasmine rice are aromatic, lighter and better choices for weight loss.

    Another factor to consider is that rice is also quite calorie-dense and not all that nutrient dense, as I've already mentioned, therefore I recommend consuming grains not just rice, (even whole grains) in moderation. If you must choose one type of rice, I personally would choose white all the way, that should also keep you out of trouble in terms of the nasty phytic acid.

    Why not have a sweet potato instead though?. A medium baked sweet potato with the skin has more fiber, more vitamin C, B6, folate, and iron, it is loaded with Vitamin A, and all this at just half the calories and carbohydrates. So that would be my ideal carb food choice.

    It’s very typical to just judge a food solely by fiber or vitamin content. My point here is learn more about the energetic net effect properties of food before we start calling it a "health food"."
  • shanmackie
    shanmackie Posts: 194 Member
    carbs are not unhealthy. you don't want to eat nothing BUT carbs and the carbs you take in should be whole grains or things like quinoa, vegetables, etc.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    "Bad carbs" would be white bread, white rice, candies, sodas, and other sugary, processed things. Quinoa and brown rice are grains and extremely good ways to get your carbs in. I honestly don't think you should fear or label anything off limits at this point in your recovery, though.

    Lol, do tell me the difference between white and brown rice that would make one bad and one good
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    If you want to be elite, you have to cut out carbs. So yes, quinoa and brown rice are uinhealthy.
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    If you want to be elite, you have to cut out carbs. So yes, quinoa and brown rice are uinhealthy.

    QFT
  • strongmind_strongbody
    strongmind_strongbody Posts: 82
    If you want to be elite, you have to cut out carbs. So yes, quinoa and brown rice are uinhealthy.

    I disagree completely, but I don't like rice or quinoa so whatevs. Love me some carbs though...yum. :love:

    Hey Taso, did you ever post that vid of you curling in the squat rack? I missed it. :wink:
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    If you want to be elite, you have to cut out carbs. So yes, quinoa and brown rice are uinhealthy.

    I disagree completely, but I don't like rice or quinoa so whatevs. Love me some carbs though...yum. :love:

    Hey Taso, did you ever post that vid of you curling in the squat rack? I missed it. :wink:

    Not yet. I haven't curled anything since that day. Maybe later today :bigsmile:
  • BlackTimber
    BlackTimber Posts: 230 Member
    "Bad carbs" would be white bread, white rice, candies, sodas, and other sugary, processed things. Quinoa and brown rice are grains and extremely good ways to get your carbs in. I honestly don't think you should fear or label anything off limits at this point in your recovery, though.

    Lol, do tell me the difference between white and brown rice that would make one bad and one good

    Copy and paste:

    Brown rice has...

    Twice the manganese and phosphorus as white
    2 ½ times the iron3 times vitamin B3
    4 times the vitamin B1
    10 times the vitamin B6
    1. Brown Rice is Rich in Selenium

    Extremely high in selenium, an important trace mineral known to drastically reduce our chances of developing certain forms of cancer, as well as heart disease, inflammatory conditions and rheumatoid arthritis.

    2. Brown Rice is Very High in Manganese

    One cup of brown rice gives us over 80% of our daily manganese requirements. This mineral helps the human body create the important fatty acids that make healthy forms of cholesterol. It is also beneficial to the health of our nervous and reproductive systems.

    3. Brown Rice Holds Naturally Occurring Oils

    These heart-healthy oils are naturally found in brown rice and can help the body reduce LDL forms of cholesterol.

    4. Brown Rice Promotes Weight Loss

    Because of its fiber-richness and ability to keep healthy bowel function, brown rice "keeps things moving" in a way that promotes weight-loss and metabolic function. Brown rice makes you feel fuller on less food. A

    5. Brown Rice Has Antioxidants
  • purplegoboom
    purplegoboom Posts: 400 Member
    If you are vegetarian, yes, I think quinioa would be a great source of protein for you. Rice? I could take it or leave it, it depends on if you like it or not. A little won't hurt your diet.

    Edited to add: While a little rice won't hurt your diet, it won't really add much to it. You're better off eating your veggies for those nutrients. :smile:
  • strongmind_strongbody
    strongmind_strongbody Posts: 82
    If you want to be elite, you have to cut out carbs. So yes, quinoa and brown rice are uinhealthy.

    I disagree completely, but I don't like rice or quinoa so whatevs. Love me some carbs though...yum. :love:

    Hey Taso, did you ever post that vid of you curling in the squat rack? I missed it. :wink:

    Not yet. I haven't curled anything since that day. Maybe later today :bigsmile:

    Lol...well even though I disagree with you, I gotta give you props for being a good sport man. <fist bump> ....carry on... :drinker:
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    "Bad carbs" would be white bread, white rice, candies, sodas, and other sugary, processed things. Quinoa and brown rice are grains and extremely good ways to get your carbs in. I honestly don't think you should fear or label anything off limits at this point in your recovery, though.

    Lol, do tell me the difference between white and brown rice that would make one bad and one good

    Copy and paste:

    Brown rice has...

    Twice the manganese and phosphorus as white
    2 ½ times the iron3 times vitamin B3
    4 times the vitamin B1
    10 times the vitamin B6
    1. Brown Rice is Rich in Selenium

    Extremely high in selenium, an important trace mineral known to drastically reduce our chances of developing certain forms of cancer, as well as heart disease, inflammatory conditions and rheumatoid arthritis.

    2. Brown Rice is Very High in Manganese

    One cup of brown rice gives us over 80% of our daily manganese requirements. This mineral helps the human body create the important fatty acids that make healthy forms of cholesterol. It is also beneficial to the health of our nervous and reproductive systems.

    3. Brown Rice Holds Naturally Occurring Oils

    These heart-healthy oils are naturally found in brown rice and can help the body reduce LDL forms of cholesterol.

    4. Brown Rice Promotes Weight Loss

    Because of its fiber-richness and ability to keep healthy bowel function, brown rice "keeps things moving" in a way that promotes weight-loss and metabolic function. Brown rice makes you feel fuller on less food. A

    5. Brown Rice Has Antioxidants

    Does it matter if you absorb the increased vitamins and minerals, or that doens't matter simply containing it makes it better to eat?
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    If you want to be elite, you have to cut out carbs. So yes, quinoa and brown rice are uinhealthy.

    I disagree completely, but I don't like rice or quinoa so whatevs. Love me some carbs though...yum. :love:

    Hey Taso, did you ever post that vid of you curling in the squat rack? I missed it. :wink:

    Not yet. I haven't curled anything since that day. Maybe later today :bigsmile:

    Lol...well even though I disagree with you, I gotta give you props for being a good sport man. <fist bump> ....carry on... :drinker:

    What are we disagreeing on again? Curls or carbs? Because I was totally being facetious about the carbs. It's my way of coping with these questions sometimes.
  • ajourney2beme
    ajourney2beme Posts: 181 Member
    If you aren't eating a certain way that takes those things out of your diet then I would say, as with most things, moderation is key.
  • Robin_Bin
    Robin_Bin Posts: 1,046 Member
    Both are listed on The World's Healthiest Foods as healthy.

    Here's a quote from the article on quinoa there:
    The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has officially declared that the year 2013 be recognized as "The International Year of the Quinoa." Proposed by the government of Bolivia and receiving strong support from many Central and South American countries, quinoa has now been singled out by the FAO as a food with "high nutritive value," impressive biodiversity, and an important role to play in the achievement of food security worldwide.
    http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=142

    There's also an article on brown rice, which they consider healthy, although white rice does not make their list. I like this site (http://whfoods.org) because they give their reasons, nutritional values and quote reputable, scientific research.

    I suggest you don't demonize perfectly healthy food, even if you make a choice not to eat it.
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    I love the broad statements saying that any kinds of grain are healthy. Not for me and not for lots of other people that I know. But certainly a bit better than wheat.

    A low carb diet is for the "elite"? Whatever. I eat the way that makes me NOT SICK and I'm losing weight. Don't like how I eat and think my good health is just a figment of my imagination? TFBFY.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    I love the broad statements saying that any kinds of grain are healthy. Not for me and not for lots of other people that I know. But certainly a bit better than wheat.

    A low carb diet is for the "elite"? Whatever. I eat the way that makes me NOT SICK and I'm losing weight. Don't like how I eat and think my good health is just a figment of my imagination? TFBFY.

    Right. These grains are unhealthy because they're grains, not because they have carbs. Got it.

    :laugh:
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    I love the broad statements saying that any kinds of grain are healthy. Not for me and not for lots of other people that I know. But certainly a bit better than wheat.

    A low carb diet is for the "elite"? Whatever. I eat the way that makes me NOT SICK and I'm losing weight. Don't like how I eat and think my good health is just a figment of my imagination? TFBFY.

    Right. These grains are unhealthy because they're grains, not because they have carbs. Got it.

    :laugh:

    *pulls up a chair and gets popcorn* :drinker:
  • strongmind_strongbody
    strongmind_strongbody Posts: 82
    If you want to be elite, you have to cut out carbs. So yes, quinoa and brown rice are uinhealthy.

    I disagree completely, but I don't like rice or quinoa so whatevs. Love me some carbs though...yum. :love:

    Hey Taso, did you ever post that vid of you curling in the squat rack? I missed it. :wink:

    Not yet. I haven't curled anything since that day. Maybe later today :bigsmile:

    Lol...well even though I disagree with you, I gotta give you props for being a good sport man. <fist bump> ....carry on... :drinker:

    What are we disagreeing on again? Curls or carbs? Because I was totally being facetious about the carbs. It's my way of coping with these questions sometimes.

    Oohhhh, hehehe....gotcha. Missed the sarcasm... DOH!! But yah, I do love biceps curls...still haven't tried them in the squat rack, but it's totally on my bucket list!!
  • KenosFeoh
    KenosFeoh Posts: 1,837 Member
    Re brown rice, I recently learned what Eatlikeanathlete posted. My husband much prefers white basmati rice, so this was very good news to him.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    I love the broad statements saying that any kinds of grain are healthy. Not for me and not for lots of other people that I know. But certainly a bit better than wheat.

    A low carb diet is for the "elite"? Whatever. I eat the way that makes me NOT SICK and I'm losing weight. Don't like how I eat and think my good health is just a figment of my imagination? TFBFY.

    Uh huh...
    Post hoc analysis showed that at week 52 the scores on the POMS subscales of anger-hostility (P = .006), confusion-bewilderment (P = .02), and depression-dejection (P = .05) and the TMDS score (P = .001) were significantly lower in the Low Fat group than in the Low Carb group

    http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/169/20/1873#IOI90085F2
  • Rayman79
    Rayman79 Posts: 2,009 Member
    um, they're both INCREDIBLY good for you.

    quinoa is a complete protein which is rare to find in non-meats

    both are complex carbs, which your body needs for energy. carbs are not the devil.

    tell me how this works Coach Reddy. Your first statement is above.

    Then you follow it up with this below:
    If you want to be elite, you have to cut out carbs. So yes, quinoa and brown rice are uinhealthy.

    QFT

    Then you sit back with the popcorn. WTF?
  • CoachReddy
    CoachReddy Posts: 3,949 Member
    my QFT is sarcasm. taso and i have a history. sorry for the confusion.
  • Wardnow
    Wardnow Posts: 13
    You dont poop much do you
  • benol1
    benol1 Posts: 867 Member
    I refuse to eat these food's because of the super high carb content.

    Since I'm maintaining though and like to eat healthy I thought I might as well incorporate something new into my lifestyle to mix it up sometimes and I am a vegetarian and I see very many veggie recipes which include quinoa

    Are they actually healthy though or are they just bad carbs?

    Yes, they do contain a lot of carb but that doesn't make them unhealthy.
    Unhealthy would be high carb and little other nutrient.
    Both contain lots of nutrients and are gluten-free.
    kind regards,

    Ben
  • mandypizzle
    mandypizzle Posts: 633 Member
    Both are very healthy. Many white rices are fine too. Basmati and Jasmine are my favs
  • Zumaria1
    Zumaria1 Posts: 225 Member
    Brown Rice and Quinoa are healthy for you, I personally only buy brown rice, my favorite is from Trader Joe's, they have brown jasmine and basmati rice that is so delicious. I also like Quinoa, it tastes great. As long as you plan well and it fits into your calorie goals, its part of a balanced diet.

    Brown rice is better in the sense that white rice has had some of the grain removed, that is why its easier to digest, but also lacking some of the benefits of eating the entire rice grain. For example, brown rice when digested, helps lower cholesterol. http://www.lower-cholesterol-today.com/brown-rice-health-benefits.html

    So its not unhealthy to eat, just the opposite!! :drinker:
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    I love the broad statements saying that any kinds of grain are healthy. Not for me and not for lots of other people that I know. But certainly a bit better than wheat.

    A low carb diet is for the "elite"? Whatever. I eat the way that makes me NOT SICK and I'm losing weight. Don't like how I eat and think my good health is just a figment of my imagination? TFBFY.

    Not everything is about you and your chosen way of eating, surprisingly.
    You seem to self advertise your diet a lot in various posts, I have noticed.

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