Rice Profile
Rice For Baby
Did you know in some parts of the world, the phrase “to eat” literally means “to eat rice”? Rice supplies about half of the daily calories for half of the world’s population, and for good reason. This versatile grain is rich in B vitamins, iron, and many other nutritious minerals, making it a great option for baby and kiddos. Eating rice has been shown to help with weight management, reduce the risk of certain cancers, help protect kids against childhood asthma and lower high cholesterol – what’s not to love?
Highlighted Nutritional Importance of Rice
Vitamins
Thiamin – this B vitamin promotes bone and muscle growth, good vision and healthy skin
Niacin – another B vitamin that helps keep skin and gums healthy by maintaining good blood circulation
Folate – this B vitamin supports energy production within each cell in the body and supports a healthy nervous system
Pantothenic Acid – also known as vitamin B5, this vitamin supports the immune system, healthy hormone production and basic metabolic functions of the body
Minerals
Iron – this mineral is a blood building nutrient and enhances the oxygen carrying capacity of red blood cells
Manganese – a potent antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage and helps form bone and cartilage
Selenium – this trace mineral supports the immune system and healthy thyroid function
Phosphorus – about 85% of the body’s phosphorus is found in bone, making it crucial for healthy bone and teeth growth
Zinc – an immune boosting mineral that helps support baby’s appetite and healthy digestion
Brown or White Rice
The different between brown and white rice is not just in the color, it’s in the processing. A whole grain of rice starts out with 7 layers. The outermost layer, or the hull, is removed to produce brown rice and is the least damaging to the nutritional value. When white rice is produced, the brown rice is milled to remove the bran and most of the germ layer, creating a whiter rice that has unfortunately lost up to 90% of its b vitamin, iron, and mineral content.
How to Select and Store Rice for Baby Food
The EWG doesn’t rank grains in its “dirty dozen” list but buying organic rice is a smart choice. Non-organic varieties, especially from the US, may contain more arsenic.
Since brown rice is minimally processed and still has its oil-rich germ, it’s important to store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator to avoid rancidity. White rice on the other hand should still be stored in an airtight container but can be kept in a cool, dry place rather than the refrigerator.
Cooked rice should be refrigerated in an airtight container and eaten within 2-4 days.
Like all grains, rinse the rice thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris and to prevent sticking. To cook, add one part rice to two parts boiling water or broth, bring to a boil then cover and simmer for about 45 minutes. Rice is incredibly versatile and can be eaten on its own, used as a base for nutritious rice puddings or even ground into a powder for homemade rice cereal for baby!
Recipes using Rice
2 Comments on “Rice Profile”
Hi! I used your site and recipes regularly to introduce my now-5-year-old to solid foods and am coming back now with my now-5-MONTH-old. Since I last made my purees, I’ve learned that rice — and especially brown rice — has been found to have elevated levels of arsenic. I see that you mention it in passing in this profile, but wonder whether you have any updates since these concerns have emerged.
EWG now has a page on arsenic concerns in rice: https://www.ewg.org/foodscores/content/arsenic-contamination-in-rice/
Having read everything I can, I’m still having a hard time determining whether I should eliminate brown rice entirely from my purees, or just limit it, in combination with an otherwise varied diet. I’d love your updated take on this issue! Thanks so much for this incredible resource!
Thanks for your comment. Yes, the issue with arsenic and heavy metals in baby foods seems to be popping up more and more lately. I would definitely recommend using organic rice when making baby food versus conventional rice. It doesn’t eliminate arsenic completely from the food, but greatly reduces it. Whether you eliminate it from baby’s diet is completely up to you, as for some people, this isn’t an option. My personal recommendation is that a varied diet is the best diet and to trying to get a wider variety of foods is more important than eliminating rice or other foods found with high levels of heavy metals. Hope that helps.