Rice Vs Noodles – Which is the Healthier Choice?

The debate over whether rice is healthier than noodles can be very heated. Most people have strong opinions one way or another, and it’s hard to find a middle ground. But what does the science say?

The world LOVES carbohydrates and two of the most popular carbs are Rice and Noodles.

What do most people love? Carbohydrates. Rice and noodles are two of the most popular carbs out there, so it’s no surprise that they’re always being debated. Is rice healthier than noodles?

Some say yes because rice is made from a whole grain while noodles are just flour and water. Others say no because white rice has more starch which can lead to weight gain and diabetes when eaten in excess.

Also, after processing into white grains, fiber is lost which means you get less nutrients with your meal. And some don’t care whether they eat pasta or popcorn for dinner as long as it tastes good!

The science on how healthy either one is isn’t totally clear. BOTH have benefits and drawbacks. But let’s break down the hard facts and help you make a choice.

What is starch, what are carbohydrates?

Starch is a form of carbohydrate that is found in plant foods such as potatoes, vegetables, rice and bread. It’s also found in beans and grains like cornmeal and quinoa. Your body breaks down starch into glucose which it uses for energy.

Carbohydrates are sugars or starches that the body converts to use for fuel.

Simple vs Complex Carbohydrates

Simple carbohydrates are sugars or starches that the body converts to use for fuel and they include refined sugar (also called sucrose), honey, molasses, maple syrup, high-fructose corn syrup; grain products like breads and cereals; legumes such as lentils, peas or garbanzo beans.

Complex carbohydrates are a form of carbohydrate that is found in plant foods such as potatoes, vegetables, rice and bread. They also include beans and grains like cornmeal and quinoa.

The reason why complex carbohydrates are better for human health is because it’s the only type of carbohydrate that does not get broken down instantly into sugar.

It does eventually break down into many different simple sugars that our bodies can process which means that there is a slower release of sugar into the blood stream. This is good!

It also helps that complex carb foods have more fiber and vitamins than simple carbs which means they’re also more filling and good for you in general.

Rice vs Noodles Nutrition Comparison Table

So you can see gram to gram, rice has lower calorie levels. So you can eat slightly more rice than noodles and hit the same total calories. Carbs will also be slightly lower for rice vs noodles.

So if you are after lower carbs and lower calories – choose rice. Just don’t eat too much of either if volume control is your concern.

5 Healthiest Types of Noodles

Shirataki noodles

Shirataki noodles are a type of noodle that come from the konjac root. They are commonly used in Japanese cuisine and they’re made by removing water from the liquid extracted from the Konjac and then boiling it to make a jelly like paste. Shirataki noodles are low in calories, fat-free, cholesterol-free, sodium-free, vegan, and mostly gluten-free.

A lot of people turn to shirataki noodles as a low calorie option for bulking up their meals. It’s also important to remember that shirataki noodles do not have the food texture of pasta or rice so it’s important to know how you might feel about that before you purchase them!

Mung bean noodles

Mung bean noodles are made from mung beans which are just boiled, cooled, and shaped into noodles. You can find them in most Asian markets or online. Mung bean noodles can be used as either a traditional soup base or as a noodle base for other dishes.

Mung bean noodles have more calories than shirataki noodles but they’re considerably lower in fat, carbs, and sugar than regular pasta or rice. Mung bean noodles also provide different nutrients like potassium, iron, and calcium, so it’s always good to add these to your diet if possible!

Rice vermicelli noodles

A healthy, low-carb alternative to pasta.

Rice vermicelli noodles are a type of noodle that come from rice. They’re made by taking white rice and removing the husk and milling it into small pieces. These small pieces are then boiled until they become soft and pliable (like most types of noodles), which makes them a great alternative for traditional pasta dishes as well as soups or stir fry’s!

Brown rice noodles

Brown rice noodles are a type of noodle that come from brown rice. They’re made by taking white rice and removing the husk and milling it into small pieces. These small pieces are then boiled until they become soft and pliable (like most types of noodles), which makes them a great alternative for traditional pasta dishes as well as soups or stir fry’s!

Brown Rice Noodles vs White Rice Noodles: Brown rice is more nutritious than white because it has more protein, fiber, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, copper and potassium. The nutrients in brown rice can help increase your energy levels and reduce stress levels too! Brown Rice noodles often also have less sodium per serving so they’re technically healthier (though the sauce and rest of dish will have far more of an impact).

3 Healthiest Types of Rice

Brown Rice

Brown Rice This is more nutritious than white because it has more protein, fiber, iron, magnesium, phosphous, zinc and copper. Plentiful nutrients can increase your energy levels! Brown rice also has less sodium per serving so its healthier (though the sauce or rest of dish will have far more of an impact).

White rice

White rice is indeed not the very healthiest – but in moderation is it A-ok to consume (great news for us carbohydrate fanatics)

Red Rishung Rice

Red rice iron, is magnesium especially healthy. It also contains antioxidants and immune system.

Red rice is a type of rice that has been naturally preserved. Red rice as an antioxidant that can help your immune system. Red rice is also loaded with anthocyanins, which are a pigment which give the food it’s characteristic red color.

Unhealthiest noodle type

We all love noodles, but ramen noodles need to considered as an occasional foot due to all the carbs and calories they contain. Ramen noodles in particular are often packed with unnecessary additional preservatives and flavorings

Ramen noodles are a type of noodle that come from wheat flour, salt, water and sometimes eggs or oil depending on what kind you buy. They have very little nutritional value so it’s important to add lots of vegetables and other healthy foods when cooking them!

There are much healthier options for your noodle cravings than ramen noodles. Try swapping them out with rice vermicelli noodles instead!

Rice vs. Noodles: Which is Better? [Low Carb Option]

Rice and noodles are both fine in moderation for low-carb diets, but if you’re going to choose one over the other then rice may be a better option than noodles. Rice has less calories per serving than noodles and it also contains more nutrients such as protein, fiber, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc and copper.

The downside of rice and noodles in general is that is that they are high in carbohydrates so people on a low carb diet should try to limit their intake of this food group when possible. However with some simple swaps like choosing brown rice instead of white or swapping out ramen noodles for vermicelli ones you can still enjoy your favorite dishes while sticking to your diet plan.

Which is better rice noodles or egg noodles?

Noodles are a type of pasta that can be made from wheat flour, eggs or both. The most popular noodles in the world are those made from wheat flour and water. These noodles come in many varieties but two of the most common types are spaghetti and linguine.

Egg noodles on the other hand, have egg as their main ingredient so they’re often more rich and hearty than regular pastas which contain mostly just water. They also have a different texture to them than regular pasta because of this difference in ingredients.

Rice noodles will have a slightly lower calorie total than egg noodles. Nutrition wise they are similar enough that is is no major difference.

Do Chinese eat more rice or noodle?

Do Chinese eat more rice or noodles? – China is the most populated country in the world with over 1.3 billion people living there. With such a huge population it’s probably difficult to determine how much each person eats; we can, however, look at some data.

China is a country that has many different regions with different food types so it is hard to say what the average meal consists of. For example in Southern China they traditionally eat rice and a whole heap of it. The rest of China are primarily wheat noodle consumers.

So Chinese people as a group eat equal amounts of rice and noodles – but depending mostly on whether they are Southerners or from the North will influence which carbohydrate is their favorite.

Are noodles considered unhealthy compared to rice?

1. Noodles are high in carbohydrates

2. Rice is a healthier option if you straight up compare the stats… but really the difference is minimal

3. Ramen noodles and processed noodles need to be considered as an occasional food due to the carbs and calories they contain

4. There are many different types of rice so it’s important to choose the right one for your diet plan

5. Try swapping out ramen noodles with rice vermicelli ones instead!

For something different try out our super popular Kingfish sashimi in dashi recipe.