Rice comes in many different varieties, all of which are naturally gluten-free. (Photo Credit: iStock/Getty s)
Rice is a nutritious grain and staple food in more than 100 countries around the world. Itâs high in starch, a type of carbohydrate that is a main source of the bodyâs energy. Its also low in cost, which makes it a good base for many meals.
All natural forms of rice, including white, brown, or wild, are gluten-free. Natural rice is a great option for people who are sensitive to or allergic to gluten, a protein usually found in wheat, barley, and rye, and for people who have celiac disease, an autoimmune disease triggered by gluten.
Sometimes, rice can be cross-contaminated with gluten, meaning that itâs been grown, harvested, or processed near or in the same facilities as wheat, barley, or rye. Rice sold in bulk bins, such as at a grocery store, may also be cross-contaminated. This may happen when customers mix the scoops between bins. For example, a shopper might use the flour scoop in the rice bin, which could contaminate all the rice with gluten.
No, brown rice and wheat are two different types of cereals. Brown rice is type of rice whose bran is intact whereas whole wheat is unprocessed wheat. Just like apple and banana are two different fruits, brown rice and wheat are different cereals.
Are All Rice Dishes Gluten-Free?
Rice is gluten-free, but some rice dishes may not be. This is usually because theyâre made with other ingredients that have gluten. Rice dishes that have gluten may include:
- Rice pilaf (often made with orzo, which has gluten)
- Rice Krispies cereal (made with malt, which comes from barley and contains gluten)
- Preseasoned packaged rice
- Rice cooked with sauces
- Rice made with added seasoning or ingredients such as soy sauce
Many sauces have âhiddenâ gluten. Sauces are often made with flour, which acts as a thickener. Seasonings may be processed around other grains and be cross-contaminated with gluten. Sometimes, rice can be cross-contaminated with other grains that have gluten.
Which Types of Rice Are Gluten-Free?
You can find many popular types of rice in most grocery stores.
Is white rice gluten-free? Yes. In their natural forms, all types of rice are gluten-free.Â
Is basmati rice gluten-free? Yes. This is a long-grain rice that separates and becomes fluffy when cooked. Itâs fragrant, and you can find it in white and brown varieties. Brown basmati rice has more fiber and a stronger fragrance than white basmati.
Is jasmine rice gluten-free? Yes, thats right. Jasmine is another fragrant long-grain rice. When cooked, jasmine rice becomes soft and slightly sticky.
Is brown rice gluten-free? Yes. This is a short-grain rice with a chalky white opaque kernel. When cooked, sweet brown rice becomes very sticky and loses its shape.
Is arborio rice gluten-free? Thats correct. Arborio rice is used mostly for risotto and rice puddings. It is a medium-grain rice that has more starch because it isnât milled as much as long-grain rice. The starch is released when it is cooked, which makes the rice creamy but not mushy. You can find both white and brown arborio.
Is wild rice gluten-free? Yes, wild rice is naturally free of gluten. But it isnt actually rice. Its an aquatic grass and ancient grain. Despite its name, it usually isnt wild.
Is black, red, or purple rice gluten-free? These types of rice are usually short-grain or medium-grain. Their color comes from a phytochemical called anthocyanins, which are also found in blueberries and blackberries. Theyre all naturally gluten-free.
Is glutinous rice gluten-free? You might also call this sticky rice and find it on the menu in Thai or other Asian restaurants. Although it sounds like glutinous rice has gluten, it doesnât. The term âglutinousâ refers to the glue-like, sticky texture of the rice after itâs cooked. This type of rice can be white, brown, or black.
There are thousands of types of rice, with a wide variety of sizes, colors, stickiness, flavors, and aromas.
Rice is mainly separated into five categories:
- Short grain. Its grain is twice as long as it is wide, and it becomes sticky when cooked.
- Medium grain. It has a shorter and wider grain, which becomes tender and semi-sticky when cooked.
- Long grain. It is four times longer than it is wide. Its grains separate and become fluffy when cooked.
- Whole grain. Itâs rice that hasnât been milled and polished. The grain is intact and contains bran, germ, and endosperm. Whole-grain rice is usually called brown rice.
- Refined. This is rice that has been milled and polished. The bran layers have been removed so that only the white, starchy endosperm is left. Refined rice is usually called white rice.
There are many individual varieties of rice that fall into these categories, such as basmati, jasmine, and Texmati. All are gluten-free, but generally, whole-grain rice is more nutritious. The bran layers are rich in:
When the bran layers are removed, the rice loses most of its nutrients. These nutrients are usually added back to the rice, which is then labeled as âenrichedâ or âfortified,â but only a small portion of the original nutrients are replaced.
What’s Unhealthier – Rice or Wheat? – Dr.Berg
FAQ
What is brown rice made of?
Is rice made out of wheat?
Is there wheat free rice?
What grains are in brown rice?
What is the difference between brown rice and wheat?
Wheat’s daily need coverage for Selenium is 47% higher. Brown rice has 13 times less Sugar than Wheat. Wheat has 3.07g of Sugar, while Brown rice has 0.24g. We used Wheat, KAMUT khorasan, cooked and Rice, brown, long-grain, cooked types in this comparison.
What are the types of long grain brown rice?
As brown rice of the long type we can consider black or wild rice and red rice. Brown rice is characterized by parts of the grain such as bran, endosperm and germ.
Is brown rice a whole grain?
All rice consists primarily of carbs, with small amounts of protein and practically no fat ( 1 ). However, brown rice is a whole grain. That means it contains all parts of the grain — including the fibrous bran, the nutritious germ, and the carb-rich endosperm. It’s chewy and takes a while to cook due to its tough bran exterior.
What is the difference between Rice and wheat?
Wheat is denser, with a kind of gritty or chewy texture. It’s easy to distinguish rice and wheat with a simple look. Wheat grains are oblong, with the bran or outer grain layer taking on a brown or reddish hue. When ground, the result is a tan or light beige flour which lends a tan or light brown color to the wheat products like pasta or bread.