On the Eating Alive Program, we tell people to choose whole grains over refined products and to avoid/limit the whites—white rice, white sugar, and white flour (and all products made from them).

Brown rice is the whole grain that has had the inedible outer hull removed. It has a nutty flavour and takes approximately 20 minutes longer to cook than white rice. In many of our recipes, we use brown basmati rice which is very aromatic and more flavourful than regular brown rice.

White rice has been hulled and polished so many of its nutrients—vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytoestrogens—have been stripped away. So, while it may take longer to cook than white rice, brown rice is definitely more nutritious. See this month’s recipe, Vegetable Biryani, for a tasty rice and vegetable dish.