Food News: 5 Reasons to Love Brown Rice, 5 Delicious Recipes

Crab Pilaf
Crab Pilaf

When the Atkins craze hit, I thought "carbs" was a dirty word. I've since come to my senses and realize that whole grains like brown rice are rich with health benefits.

5 reasons to love brown rice:

  1. Brown rice contains antioxidants, phytoestrogens and phytosterols that protect against coronary disease.

  2. It provides a healthy boost of vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and phytonutrients.

  3. Grains are rich in carbohydrates-the body's main fuel supply-so we need a fair amount daily.

  4. The fiber in brown rice promotes regularity and lowers the risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.

  5. People who eat whole grains like brown rice tend to be leaner and have a lower risk of heart disease than those who don't. Take that, Atkins.

Need more convincing to give up white rice? Try these 5 delicious EatingWell recipes:

By Michelle Edelbaum

Michelle is the associate editor of interactive for EatingWell Media Group. In between editing and writing, she enjoys sampling the tasty results of the easy, healthy recipes that the EatingWell Test Kitchen cooks are working on.


Related Links:

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Read about the environmental benefits of organic rice-farming practices at Lundberg Family Farms.