Which is the Healthier Starch to Eat, RICE or POTATOES

1. 77

   Don Bobbittposted 12 years ago

   Which is the Healthier Starch to Eat, RICE or POTATOES
   
   I know they have nutritional differences, but when I go to a restaurant, which would be the healthier starch to order as part of my meal, Rice or Potatoes?
   
   

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2. 81

   Wayne Brownposted 12 years ago

   From what I understand Don, it really is a matter of what you combine it with that makes for the bad choices.  For example, according to the "Fit For Life Diet", eating a baked potato with a steak is a bad combination because the body finds itself in a struggle. What is required to breakdown the steak in your digestive system counters what is needed to break down the baked potato so the food just languishes there relatively undigest for a while longer than it should.  On the other hand, that same steak bodes well for the digestive system if you put it with Asparagus or Broccoli.  I am sure the same probably holds true with rice.  I have tried it and it works quite well.  It is a nice way to diet without torturing yourself.  ~WB

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   1. 77

      Don Bobbittposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wayne, thanks for the answer. I actually had no clue about this little tip. Now, I have a new thing to add to my collection of eating tricks. Ain't self control a B%#%}^{?

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3. 66

   ThompsonPenposted 12 years ago

   Rice for sure! If you have brown rice there's numerous nutritional benefits where as potatoes offer very little to none. Brown rice has fiber, protein, manganese, magnesium, niacin and vitamin B6, all very valuable in the diet. Potatoes with their skin on can be quite nutritious, but most places you go won't offer that option, and most people generally don't leave the skin on.

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4. 94

   jansharesposted 12 years ago

   Interesting and informative answer from Wayne; I didn't know that either. My understanding is it depends on what you put in/on the potato (lots of butter, sour cream, milk, salt, bacon, cheese, no good) and how it's prepared (bake vs. fried vs. scalloped). The less you add of those ingredients the better. For rice, plain brown or wild is better for fiber. Rice with mixes and sauces are not good due to very high sodium content. I bet there's a hub on this somewhere :-)

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5. 68

   Mazzy Boleroposted 12 years ago

   Potatoes contain vitamin C and iron.  With the skin on they have a lot of fiber.  White rice is almost pure starch with not much other nutritional content, but brown rice has vitamins, minerals and fiber as someone else has already described.  I think the problem is that a) most people prefer the less nutritious white rice to brown rice and, b) as others have said, we eat other things with both potatoes and rice and c) we have a tendency to eat both fried, especially potatoes. Best for nutrition would be a baked potato with the skin or boiled or steamed brown rice.

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      Don Bobbittposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Good Points Mazzy Bolero. Considering the differences nutritionally between white rice and the others, what can we do as a public to get restaurants to evolve over to the better rices?

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6. 60

   ivanmarginalposted 12 years ago

   Potatoes. I live in a country in which rice is the main food. And we consider nothing nutritious (or less nutritious) in rice, it is our main source of energy that is full of carbohydrates.

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   1. 77

      Don Bobbittposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      ivanmarginal. I understand the importance of rice in many areas of the world, but honestly, couldn't these countries, in a modern world, evolve at least a portion of their rice consumption to the more nutritious varieties.

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7. 61

   Damsoniaposted 12 years ago

   Neither really, although if I would have to choose then I would say brown rice. Any starch that is white has been "bleached" and is unhealthy.

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8. 82

   BeyondGSposted 12 years ago

   Probably about the same, but I don't think potatoes has arsenic in it...

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9. 61

   Shiloh1008posted 12 years ago

   Potatoes are extremely low calorie, however they almost always spike your blood sugar especially white potatoes.
   
   Rice, white or brown is also low calorie, despite having almost twice as many per oz. as a potato. The difference being it's more stable on your blood sugar, thus you will have more stable energy and burn those calories off.

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   1. 77

      Don Bobbittposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Shiloh 1008. Boy and I learning a lot about these two food staples.I had not thought about the affects of each on a persons blood sugar.
      thanks again.

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10. 53

    ocbillposted 12 years ago

    Rice by far, in my opinion. I am actually on a no starch, no bread, no sugar diet.

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11. 59

    christen whalenposted 12 years ago

    most people would probably say rice, but resent studies (as published in consumer report) show that rice can contain shockingly high level of both organic and inorganic arsenic so unless you know where the rice is coming from/which brands have the lowest levels of arsenic, i would stick with potatoes.
    
    my motto is that there is no reason you can't enjoy the foods you love in moderation. so many people bash potatoes and they're honestly not bad for you. just don't eat a huge, massive bowl of them

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    1. 77

       Don Bobbittposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks Christen,I had no Idea about arsenic levels!
       I will definitely look into this.

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12. 78

    alphagirlposted 12 years ago

    You have to look at your ancestry and where they originated from. Many of us have changed our diets that do not reflect our natural make-up. A study was done that when English people go to asian countries they have a higher incidence of stomach cancer. I also know someone who passed away from the example given.
    
    If you are from greece, a diet of fresh fish and salads are probably better for you.
    
    For myself, I have removed much of the american diet i used to eat, pizza, cheese, breads. I love potatoes...I love fries. But have changed back to my an asian diet of rice and dark leafy veggies steamed, stir-fried and broiled. I eat few burgers. More edamame. I drink lots of hot water and water.
    
    The results are: No bloating, dry skin, stomach gas or aches.
    
    There is a book out called the China Study. It is not about China, it is about the foods we eat and are literally getting sick. We do not need to drink milk. Yet the american dairy association advertises it so heavily. Vitamin D can be derived from kale, sunshine, broccoli.
    
    As far as potatoes versus rice, potatoes convert to starch sugars, brown rice has more fiber and takes longer to break down is less starchy. I enjoy white rice which for me, is native to my heritage. Good luck.

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    1. 77

       Don Bobbittposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Alphagirl, Interesting answe,r.I had not considered heritage and ancestry to be of such importance. Now I will have to do a little research on my own. Thanks fo rthe answer.

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13. 0

    Copper Manposted 11 years ago

    Most restaurants serve white, processed rice, which has very little nutritional value other than calories. In the same restaurant, if they serve potatoes, you should be able to order a baked potato. By eating the whole potato, skin and all, you get the vitamins and minerals contained in the potato flesh as well as in its skin.

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14. 82

    peachpurpleposted 10 years ago

    well, since I am asian, RICE is definitely the choice. We can't just eat potatoes as the main source of our meal. We would still become hungry in 2hrs time. Rice could sustain hunger for at least4-5 hours.

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       lostohanababyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Hi, peachpurple, eating rice a few times during the day, keeps me full longer than when I eat potatoes, boiled, or in a salad.  I'm Asian too, I didn't know for how long.   Thanks for that...

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15. 58

    lostohanababyposted 10 years ago

    I enjoy eating both, rice and potato.  Boiled, steamed, and stir fry.  I believe, they both have some health values.  Rice won't make you 'obese', unless you are eating really large quanities of it in one sitting.   Potatoes, depending on how it is prepared and what other foods you may have in mind to serve them with, may offer some different health benefits at that time.  I think it depends on what you like to prepare and eat.  Rice and Potato, both have starch.  Rinse each off, after boilings, will cut down on some of the starch build up!

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16. 85

    Terrielynn1posted 7 years ago

    As a diabetic. I say neither. Or mix the potatoe with cauliflower. Eat half the amount you normally would. As for rice, I only eat basmati or wild rice. White is hell on my sugar levels.

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    Diana Abrahamsonposted 7 years ago

    I love to eat brown rice baked in the oven. Potatoes baked in the oven is also delicious. Never take the skins off, if baked.

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18. 59

    ayanbuayaposted 7 years ago

    It depends what kind of rice. If it is brown rice, then it will first because it has high protein, followed by potato, then starch. If it is white rice, potato will come first as the healthiest, next is the rice, then starch.

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    1. 85

       Terrielynn1posted 7 years agoin reply to this

       Potato is starch. white rice and potato are the same and both are a starch. your body converts them both to glucose.

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