Is Yellow Rice Healthy? Nutrition, Calories, Carbs

Yellow rice is not a natural kind of rice. It is basically white rice that has been spiced with saffron or turmeric, both of which are crucial ingredients in Asian cuisine.

Turmeric and saffron add a bright yellow color to this rice. While there are many different ways to prepare yellow rice, onions and coconut milk are commonly added.

Continue reading for a full nutritional breakdown of yellow rice.

Go for yellow rice that is made from brown rice, as it contains more nutrients than white rice.

In comparison to cooked white rice, which has 242 calories per cup, cooked brown rice has 218 calories per cup and 3.5g of fiber.

5 Benefits of Yellow Rice

Yellow rice offers a variety of benefits due to the addition of turmeric or saffron.

Turmeric has significant health advantages for both your body and brain. Many of these benefits are due to its major active component, curcumin.

Saffron, on the other hand, has a remarkable range of plant components. These act as antioxidants, which are substances that protect your cells from the harmful effects of oxidative stress and free radicals.

Here are a few benefits of eating yellow rice:

#1 Rich in folate and iron

Yellow rice has many benefits when it is prepared from enriched white rice. Enriched white rice is high in folate and iron.

The body needs the nutrient folate, often known as vitamin B9 or folic acid. Folate is crucial for your body’s fundamental cell processes. Including adequate folate in your diet may lower your risk of developing specific cancers [2].

The recommended daily amount (RDA) of folate is 400mcg per day. Adult women who are planning a pregnancy or could become pregnant should take 400 to 1,000mcg of folic acid daily.

Iron helps in the maintenance of numerous critical functions within the body, including overall energy and focus, gastrointestinal processes, immune response, and body temperature regulation.

#2 Contains potassium

The activation of nerve impulses throughout your neurological system depends on potassium [3]. The heartbeat, reflexes, muscular contractions, and many other functions are all controlled by nerve impulses. 

The risk of stroke was observed to be 24% lower in those who consumed the most potassium compared to those who consumed the least [4].

There is nearly 801mg of potassium present in a 100g serving of yellow rice.

Because lack of potassium is uncommon, there is no RDA (required daily allowance) for this mineral. For adults, however, it is suggested that 1,600 to 2,000mg per day is sufficient [5].

#3 Contains magnesium

Cooked yellow rice has 30mg of magnesium per 100g serving, which might help you meet the 420mg daily allowance [6].

Magnesium, a structural component of bones, is important for normal nerve conduction and muscle contraction as well as for hundreds of enzyme activities that help create DNA and proteins.

Your body becomes more insulin resistant when you don’t have enough magnesium [7]. Magnesium deficiency has been associated with several chronic cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia.

#4 Turmeric may prevent Alzheimer’s disease

Turmeric is added to white rice to give the yellow rice a bright yellow color. Numerous studies have shown that turmeric offers important health benefits for both your body and brain.

Many of these advantages are due to a compound called curcumin.

While some of its symptoms can be treated, there is still no cure for Alzheimer’s. It’s crucial to stop it from happening in the first place because of this.

Curcumin has advantageous effects on both inflammation and oxidative damage, which are known to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease [8]. Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory property also aids in weight loss.

#5 Rich in vitamin B6

There is nearly 0.58mg of vitamin B6 present in a 100g serving of yellow rice.

Yellow rice contains nearly 44% of the required daily amount of vitamin B6. The required daily amount of vitamin B6 for men is 1.4mg; for women, it is 1.2mg [9].

Several studies have found that depressive symptoms are associated with low vitamin B6 levels, particularly in older adults who are at high risk of B vitamin deficiency [10].

Vitamin B6 assists chemical reactions in the immune system, allowing it to function more effectively. Consuming vitamin B6-rich foods will help your body fight infection. Low vitamin B6 levels have been linked to a weak immune response involving older adults [11].

Downsides of Yellow Rice

Generally, yellow rice is considered to be a relatively healthy food. However, there are some potential downsides to consider.

#1 High in calories and carbohydrates

Firstly, yellow rice is typically higher in calories than white rice because fo the fat usually added while cooking. Additionally, yellow rice is not as nutrient-dense as some other grains, such as quinoa or barley. These other grains provide significantly more protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals than yellow rice.

#2 May contain added preservatives

Some brands of yellow rice contain added preservatives to extend its shelf life. These preservatives can be unhealthy and are best avoided. When buying yellow rice, check the label to make sure that there are no added preservatives. Ideally, the label should say “all natural” or “no preservatives.” It is also a good idea to check the ingredients list for any artificial additives.

Yellow Rice vs. White Rice

Yellow rice, is essentially white rice that has been colored with turmeric. Saffron is also sometimes added during the preparation of yellow rice as it gives the same bright yellow color.

White rice and yellow rice are not whole grains because the brown layer, which contains the most nutrients, is removed. They are high in carbohydrates while being low in fat. They are also high in protein, making them an excellent vegetarian source.

Yellow rice has a slightly piquant flavor, and white rice has a nutty flavor.

Yellow rice has more nutritional benefits than white rice. A 100g serving of cooked yellow rice contains 30mg magnesium, 0.62mg iron, 195mg potassium, 38mg calcium, and 20mcg folic acid.

On the other hand, a 100g serving of long grain unenriched raw white rice contains 25mg magnesium, 0.8mg iron, 115mg potassium, 28mg calcium, and 0mcg folic acid.

Due to the store-bought spice mix or added salt, yellow rice has a very high sodium content. There is nearly 537mg of sodium present in just 100g of cooked yellow rice. In comparison, white rice contains only 5mg of sodium in it.

Yellow Rice Nutritional Facts

The below nutrition information is taken from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) databases for 100g of cooked yellow rice without fat added.

Nutritional table (per 100g)

Calories/Nutrient (per 100g)	Amount
Calories (kcal)	139
Sodium (mg)	537
Net Carbs (g)	30.2
Fiber (g)	0.79
Sugar (g)	0.7
Fats (Total)	0.7
Protein (g)	2.8
Cholesterol (mg)	0

High in carbohydrates

Yellow rice contains 74.7g of carbohydrates. As the carbohydrate content is very high, yellow rice comes under the high glycemic index (GI) category. If you consume too many carbohydrates, your blood sugar levels may increase.

Low in fats

The fat content in yellow rice is 0.711g. 0.213g is polyunsaturated fat, and 0.11g is monounsaturated fat. Yellow rice doesn’t contain any saturated fat or trans fat in it.

Even though yellow rice has low-fat content, it does not have any saturated or trans fat in it. These two fats are primarily responsible for increasing the LDL “bad” cholesterol in our bodies.

High in calories

Cooked yellow rice has 139 calories present per 100g serving. The majority of the calories come from carbohydrates, which makes it an excellent source of energy.

Minerals and vitamins

Yellow rice is a good source of magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium, folic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B6. However, it is high in sodium and has less amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber.

FAQs

Conclusion

Yellow rice is healthier than white rice due to the added benefits of turmeric or saffron. However, due to its high carb and sodium content, yellow rice should be consumed in moderation. 

Switch to yellow rice that is made from brown rice as it is packed with dietary fibers and helps improve your blood sugar levels.

To make sure you stick to a healthy diet you can also use a nutrition tracking app or read our other articles on healthy eating to establish good habits.