All About Low Carb Rice

A couple of years ago, cauliflower rice started to get a lot of attention. People were thrilled to have a low-carb rice option, and they tried it in everything. But unfortunately, there's a problem with cauliflower rice—it still tastes like cauliflower.

Not to be too critical of the cruciferous vegetable. Cauliflower is great on its own, but there are other (better) options for low-carb rice. Here's what you need to know about this fantastic low-carb rice solution!

CUTTING CARBS?

Want to drop some weight? Cutting out carbs can help you curb calories, get more protein in your diet, and cut back on sugars and starches. If you have a tough time regulating your blood sugar, better carb control can help.

Carbohydrates come in the form of fiber, starch, and sugar. When we consume them, our body turns them into glucose—a form of sugar—that gives us energy. There's nothing wrong with carbohydrates, of course, but when we're trying to lose weight, we can push our bodies to burn fat faster by reducing carbs.

We can gain weight when we consume simple carbs from processed foods like cereals, bread, cakes, candies, and even "instant" rice(Opens an external site). Unfortunately, our bodies don't burn through the calories and carbs from those foods as efficiently as protein. Too many carbs can also increase our risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and even heart disease.

Many foods have carbs, and some are less likely to cause weight gain or cause us ill effects. Complex carbohydrates are unprocessed and "whole" or closer to their natural origin. As a result, they take longer to break down, leaving us more satisfied and fuller. Many complex carbs also contain fiber. Fruits, beans, and vegetables fall into this category.

Most low-carb foods are animal products. Eggs, meat, and some dairy products contain few to no carbohydrates. They’re full of protein and can help you feel full and boost your energy. Protein helps your body build muscle and run efficiently.

That said, avoiding carbohydrates altogether is very challenging. High protein and low carb diets like Atkins, keto, and paleo offer guidance to help you successfully lose weight while cutting out carbs. Other people prefer to follow their own low-carb plan and reduce their intake of sugars, and processed foods like bread, pasta, and rice.

But what's life without rice and pasta? We say, not very exciting. Fortunately, there's a solution to make your low-carb pasta and low-carb rice dreams a reality.

WE LOVE RICE, BUT…

In addition to the carbs, rice is also kind of a pain to prepare. Cooking classic rice is a bit of an art. It takes a lot of time to get it right. If you're even a few minutes off or don't have the correct water ratio, your rice will be gloppy, chewy, or hard.

Rice is an ancient grain—actually a grass seed from the Oryza sativa plant. It’s been a staple food around the globe for thousands of years. Almost every culture has a different dish with rice, from India to Japan to Latin America. Rice was grown in Africa and by Native Americans. Italians enjoy Arborio rice in Risotto. It’s eaten throughout the Caribbean and in many island cultures. It’s hard to make many types of cuisine without adding rice.

You can make rice at home in a rice cooker, pressure cooker, in the microwave, or on the stove. But all options present their challenges, and often, there are mixed results until you've perfected the process. Unfortunately, rice is tough to cook, and it can leave you wondering who has the time? Nothing ruins a meal quite as quickly as poorly cooked rice.

On top of the time and fussiness factors, rice is a high carbohydrate food.

• Carbs in white rice: 45 g in 1 cup of rice
• Carbs in brown rice: 45 g in 1 cup of rice

So, if you’re watching your carb intake, you’ve probably taken rice off your menu. Or maybe you’ve tried some of the alternatives like cauliflower rice and felt disappointed and unsatisfied. Rice vegetables are a healthy option, but they’re often watery, retaining the taste of their vegetal origins.

If you've given up rice to cut carbs, don't fret because we're about to introduce you to It’s Skinny rice.

MEET IT’S SKINNY RICE: YOUR NEW LOW-CARB RICE BFF

It’s Skinny rice is also known as shirataki rice. Like It’s Skinny pasta, It’s Skinny rice has ZERO carbs in a 1 cup serving and only 9 calories in the entire two-serving bag! That’s right! You can enjoy rice again with no guilt and no worries about derailing your low-carb diet.

Even better is that It’s Skinny Rice is so easy to prepare! Cook your other ingredients, and when they’re done, open the package of It’s Skinny Rice, drain, and heat through to your preference. It’s Skinny Rice doesn’t need to be cooked for 45 minutes to an hour like traditional rice. It’s ready right away. There’s no stress and no waiting.

So how did It’s Skinny low-carb rice get so skinny? Well, it comes from a root called konjac. This vegetable resembles a turnip. It's a funny-shaped, unassuming root that happens to be an excellent base for low-carb rice (and pasta). Konjac might be new to you, but it's been enjoyed in Asian countries for many years, both for food and medicinal purposes.

So how do you use shirataki rice in regular recipes? Any spot you’d enjoy your favorite rice. It’s Skinny rice is perfect for rice bowls. It’s a great option for poke bowls, burrito bowls, and your favorite fake-out takeout.

Try It’s Skinny rice with your next stir fry. It makes delicious chicken fried rice too. One of the great things about cooking with shirataki rice is that it takes on the dish's other flavors. It's not overpowering, unlike some other low-carb rice alternatives (ahem, cauli-rice), and it's easy to work with. Once you try It's Skinny Rice, you'll love the simplicity. Enjoy your favorite rice dishes your way.

If you’re ready to try It’s Skinny Rice, order a four-pack today. It’s Skinny offers spaghetti, fettuccine, angel hair, and of course, rice varieties to help you stay successful on your low-carb journey!