Food Focus: Brown Rice

A lot of people ask what is the difference
between brown rice and white rice?

Well, it’s not just color! A whole grain of rice has several layers.
Only the outermost layer, the hull, is removed to produce what we call brown rice.

This process is the least damaging to the nutritional value of the rice and avoids the unnecessary loss of nutrients that occurs with further processing.

If brown rice is further milled to remove the bran and most of the germ layer, the result is a whiter rice, but also a rice that has lost many more nutrients.

At this point, however, the rice is still unpolished, and it takes polishing to produce the white rice we are used to seeing.

Polishing removes the aleurone layer of the grain-a layer filled with health-supportive, essential fats.

Because these fats, once exposed to air by the refining process, are highly susceptible to oxidation, this layer is removed to extend the shelf life of the product.

The resulting white rice is simply a refined starch that is stripped of its original nutrients.

So now you know the background…

Wat are the benefits of brown rice?
Brown rice is a good source of the minerals magnesium and selenium.

We need magnesium for building bones, manufacturing protein, releasing
energy from muscle storage and regulating body temperature and

We need selenium it is an important part of antioxidant enzymes
that protect cells against the effects of free radicals and essential for normal
function of the immune system and thyroid gland.

Lastly, brown rice is known to lower cholesterol because of the oil in it and
it supplies 14% of the daily value for fiber.

I know you might be thinking but this is carbs and you can’t have carbs, but

this is a good carb people not bad. There is a difference.

Additional information on Brown Rice:

Read more on the health benefits

Healthy Non-Fried Rice Recipe

Coconut Brown Rice Recipe

More on White Rice vs. Brown Rice

Food Review:

Kellog’s Smart Start Strong Heart Antioxidant Cereal

When looking at the front of the box it is very appealing. Clean box!
Immediately its telling you this is a Smart Choice because of the name Smart Start.

It implies it will help with the heart. Now in smaller writing we are assuming because it is written on the box it contains antioxidants, vitamin A, C and E and it includes beta carotene.

Also in the bottom left corner it says there are multi grain flakes and crunchy oat clusters.

Reading from the front of the box definitely I am feeling there should be a lot of benefits from this cereal, but lets read the ingredients:

RICE, WHOLE GRAIN WHEAT, SUGAR, OAT CLUSTERS (SUGAR, TOASTED OATS [ROLLED OATS, SUGAR, CANOLA OIL WITH TBHQ AND CITRIC ACID TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS, MOLASSES, HONEY, BHT FOR FRESHNESS, SOY LECITHIN], WHEAT FLAKES, CRISP RICE [RICE, SUGAR, MALT, SALT], CORN SYRUP, POLYDEXTROSE, HONEY, CINNAMON, BHT [PRESERVATIVE], ARTIFICIAL VANILLA FLAVOR), HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, SALT, HONEY, MALT FLAVORING…

I’m actually going to stop there because I’m amazed how much sugar has already been mentioned.

There are different names used, but sugar is listed 10 times. 10 TIMES. If I’m looking over the again there is sugar, sugar, sugar, molasses, honey, sugar, corn syrup, honey, high fructose corn syrup and honey.

Sugar is known to cause problems with the heart. How you may ask?

Well sugar affects your heart and circulation. It changes the behavior of the blood platelets causing them to stick to the blood vessel wall.

If you are interested in the Sugar Blues workshop check my website on the events page for more details for the next date. www.healthyinnerbeauty.com

Affirmation of the Week:
I TRUST LIFE. IT BRINGS ME EVERYTHING THAT I NEED AT THE PERFECT TIME IN THE PERFECT WAY.

Remember repeat with interest and desire.

Tip of the Week:
For longer lasting spinach, kale, chard, and collard greens
store in a freezer zip lock bag in the fridge.

First wash and dry thoroughly before storing in bags for crisper life.

I would like to thank WH Foods, Mercola.com and Kellogs for
helping me with the information I have provided for you today.

Remember if you have a specific food or off the shelf item that you
want me to bring up in one of the episodes or if you have a favorite
affirmation or you have a tip of the week of your own and want to
share. I welcome your thoughts and ideas contact me at
info@healthyinnerbeauty.com. I’m here to help you any way that I can.