Brown Rice Vs White Rice
What is brown rice? Brown rice is whole-grain rice with the inedible outer hull removed, and it has the other parts which include the fibrous bran, the nutritious germ and the carbohydrate-rich endosperm. This whole rice has a mild, nutty flavour and is chewier.
Brown rice Vs White rice– Brown rice is a whole grain that contains both the bran and the germ which provide both dietary fibre and a number of vitamins and minerals. It is an unpolished version of white rice which is milled and polished to remove the bran and germ. This process makes the white rice to shine but it strips away a lot of its essential nutrients.
Due to the refining process, the white rice is left with very few essential nutrients, which is why brown rice is usually considered much healthier than white.
When to introduce brown rice for babies?– The current recommendations to start solids for a baby is 6 months. Hence it is advisable to introduce brown rice to the baby as and when he begins eating solids. According to the American Academy of Paediatrics, brown rice is easily digestible and unlikely to cause an allergic reaction in babies.
Benefits of brown rice for babies
High source of energy– Rice has more calories than many cereals. This makes it an ideal food with high amounts of energy suited for growing babies.
Useful protein from rice– The proteins found in rice are very useful for muscle development. The amino acids found in rice help to rejuvenate muscles. Apart from muscles, the amino acids also help in building ligaments and tendons.
Rich in essential fatty acids-Brown rice has essential fatty acids like Monounsaturated fatty Acids, Polyunsaturated Fatty acids which plays an important role in the development of a child’s brain and helps them reach their maximum growth potential.
Good source of fibre– The insoluble fibre present in the bran layer of the grain offers many benefits to intestinal health of the babies. Moreover, it nourishes their gut.
Dense in micronutrients– Brown rice is rich in selenium – one of many vitamins and minerals that are essential for brain health and physical growth for babies. This also plays an important role in their immune function. Brown rice is an excellent source of manganese- a mineral that is essential for energy production and antioxidant function.
Is rejuvenating when mixed with milk– Boiled rice, when mixed with milk, is a rejuvenating and strength-giving food that provides energy throughout the day. It is believed that certain amino acids in rice and milk get enhanced when mixed and work like a charm. In fact, in many oriental cultures, the first solid food for babies is boiled rice mixed with milk. (Bakhru, Foods That Heal).
Easy to digest – brown rice is very easy to digest. This is an advantage for infants as they cannot digest heavy food. Their digestive system has not evolved to such an extent that they can digest heavy and complex food. Instead, easily digestible and simple food is all time good for them. (Bakhru, Foods That Heal).
Perfect baby food – Brown rice is one of the perfect baby foods due to the dense natural nutrition it contains. This is a much better choice than refined white rice cereal products for growing babies and toddlers since they require a nutrient-rich diet to help maintain their rapid growth cycles. Brown rice is nutritious and versatile that can be combined with any food that your baby likes.