Brown rice and quinoa are stable side dishes in most households. Which begs the question, which one is healthier?
Brown Rice
Brown rice is the unrefined and whole grain rice kernel. Unlike white rice, which only contains the germ, brown rice contains the germ, nutrient rich endosperm and fiber rich bran.
Brown rice is a wholesome natural food rich in essential vitamins and minerals such as manganese, iron, zinc, phosphorus, calcium, selenium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B6, folate, vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) and vitamin K. It is also a source of protein, dietary fibre and vital essential fatty acids.
Brown rice also offers therapeutic benefits such as the ability to help regulate blood sugar, promote heart health, improve digestive health, lower cholesterol and help prevent against certain diseases.
Quinoa
Quinoa is a pseudo-cereal, a seed which is prepared and eaten similarly to a grain. Quinoa has been eaten for thousands of years in South America but only recently became a trend food in North America.
Quinoa is naturally gluten-free. Quinoa is high in protein, fiber, magnesium, manganese, folate, phosphorous, copper, iron, zinc, and potassium. Quinoa is one of the few plant foods that are a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids – these are the amino acids that our bodies cannot produce and therefore must be consumed through diet or supplementation.
Brown Rice Vs Quinoa
Nutrition Facts
A cup of cooked brown rice has 215 calories, 5 grams of protein, 1.75 grams of fat, 45 grams of carbohydrates, and 3.5 grams of fiber. A cup of cooked quinoa has 220 calories, 8 grams of protein, 3.5 grams of fat, 39.5 grams of carbohydrates and 5 grams of fiber. Although quinoa is slightly higher in fat, it edges out brown rice in both protein and dietary fiber. Also, as a seed rather than a grain, quinoa has all the essential amino acids in it, whereas whole grain brown rice does not make up a complete protein on its own.
Taste
Brown rice has very little taste, and the texture of it varies greatly depending on how long it was boiled—the longer it was cooked, the softer and stickier it will become. Though the taste of rice is mild, rice tends to take on the flavour of whatever spices or herbs it’s cooked with.
The flavor of quinoa is similar to couscous in that it’s very delicate and slightly nutty.
Uses
As far as preparation time goes, quinoa emerges as a clear winner. Brown rice typically needs to cook over low heat for about 45 minutes before it’s ready to eat. Quinoa only needs to be cooked for 15 to 20 minutes before it’s ready. Brown rice and quinoa can be used interchangeably in nearly any recipe, since they have similar textures and flavors.
Considerations
Neither brown rice or quinoa is a shabby choice nutritionally, so it’s healthful to include both in your diet. However, if your protein needs are high or you’re short on cooking time, it may benefit you to pick quinoa since it does provide a complete protein, with less than half the cooking time of brown rice.