Whole food · Cereal Grains and Pasta
Photo: Wikipedia
This is the quintessential plain white rice: long, slender grains cooked to a fluffy, slightly chewy texture with a neutral, subtly sweet taste. Nutritionally, it's a dense source of quick energy from carbohydrates, providing over 28 grams per 100g, with minimal fat and a touch of salt for flavor.
People love it as the ultimate culinary canvas—its mild flavor and satisfying texture absorb sauces and seasonings, making it the perfect foundation for countless global cuisines. It's also a comforting, familiar staple that evokes home cooking and cultural traditions worldwide.
As a refined carbohydrate, it can cause rapid blood sugar spikes, which is a concern for those managing diabetes or insulin resistance. The added salt increases sodium content, which may be an issue for individuals with hypertension. Counteract these by pairing it with protein (like beans or chicken), healthy fats (like avocado or nuts), and fiber-rich vegetables to slow digestion and balance the meal.
The specific 'long-grain' classification typically means the grain is at least three times longer than it is wide, which helps the cooked grains stay separate and fluffy rather than clumping together.
| Water | 68.4 g |
| Energy | 130 kcal |
| Energy | 544 kj |
| Protein | 2.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.28 g |
| Ash | 0.41 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 28.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.40 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.05 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 10.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.20 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 12.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 43.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 35.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 382 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.49 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.07 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.47 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 7.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.02 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.01 mg |
| Niacin | 0.40 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.39 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.09 mg |
| Folate, total | 3.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 3.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 3.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 2.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.04 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.08 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.09 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.09 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.08 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
| Tryptophan | 0.03 g |
| Threonine | 0.10 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.12 g |
| Leucine | 0.22 g |
| Lysine | 0.10 g |
| Methionine | 0.06 g |
| Cystine | 0.06 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.14 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.09 g |
| Valine | 0.16 g |
| Arginine | 0.22 g |
| Histidine | 0.06 g |
| Alanine | 0.16 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.25 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.52 g |
| Glycine | 0.12 g |
| Proline | 0.13 g |
| Serine | 0.14 g |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
What's the difference between long-grain and short-grain white rice?
Long-grain rice (like Basmati or Jasmine) has a higher amylose starch content, making it cook up fluffy and separate. Short-grain rice (like Arborio or sushi rice) is higher in amylopectin starch, which makes it sticky and clumpy when cooked.
Is white rice unhealthy because it's refined?
White rice is a refined grain, meaning the bran and germ are removed, stripping some fiber and nutrients. However, it's often enriched with iron and B vitamins. It can be part of a healthy diet when balanced with protein, fats, and vegetables.
How does the added salt affect the nutrition?
The salt adds sodium (about 240mg per 100g cooked). This can contribute to daily sodium intake, which is a consideration for those monitoring blood pressure. Choosing low-sodium or no-salt-added versions is an easy swap.