Introduction
Do you love rice but are trying to eat a low-carb diet? Are you looking for rice substitutes that will still satisfy your cravings? If so, you’re in luck!
Rice is one of the most popular staples in the American diet especially for people with gluten sensitivities or food allergies that prevent them from consuming staple foods like pasta and bread What many don’t know however is how quickly it can be taken out of someone’s diet to combat various health concerns such as type 2 diabetes or obesity A low carb rice substitute such as shirataki rice or konjac rice can be a great alternative to traditional rice with fewer net carbs for those following the keto diet or looking to cut back on carbs in their meals.
This blog post will discuss ten low carb rice substitutes or rice alternatives that are both healthy and delicious So whether you’re looking for a way to enjoy your favorite rice dish without breaking your diet or want some new ideas for dinner read on for some great suggestions! One great example of low carb rice substitute to try is shirataki noodle rice.
1. Cauliflower Rice
Cauliflower rice is one of the most popular gluten-free and low-carb foods. It can be used as a substitute for traditional rice in any recipe.
It’s so popular that several companies now make pre riced cauliflower so that you can easily make cauliflower rice at home as a low carb rice substitute Keto dieters can also use it as a keto rice substitute Most grocery stores also sell bags of frozen cauliflower florets All you have to do is place your cauliflower florets in a food processor or blender and pulse until the rice looks like small pieces of grainy cauliflower.
Cauliflower is a low carb vegetable that’s great for cooking and as a rice alternative so you’ll probably already have some in your kitchen If you’re looking for a way to cook it up as rice you could try this recipe from Country Living magazine or The New York Times You could even whip up some keto rice in your microwave with this recipe from The Kitchn or MyRecipes!
2. Coconut Rice
it’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for a way to add some flavor and texture to your low carb keto rice substitute You can make coconut rice by using 1/ 2 cup of unsweetened dried coconut and cooking it in 1 1/ 4 cups of liquid low carb milk for 20 minutes over medium heat.
You could easily use this recipe to make almond, hemp, or flax milk substitutes instead of the low-carb milk substitute. If you’re interested in adding some more flavor to your dish, try adding fresh chopped cilantro or herbs to add more flavor.
This recipe from The Kitchn is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a low carb rice substitute to the traditional Mexican dish arroz con leche (or rice with milk) Keto rice is naturally gluten free and low in carbs so it’s a good option for people with diabetes and other diet related health issues.
You can make this recipe as spicy or sweet as you like If you want some heat add a little cayenne pepper to your coconut rice as it cooks If it’s too hot or you’d prefer something sweeter stir in a little bit of honey or sugar when adding coconut milk This recipe makes about two servings so you’ll have leftovers for lunch You could also freeze some shirataki noodle to use later in acarolada or arroz con leche.
3. Quinoa Rice
Quinoa is another gluten free and low carb grain that is extremely high in protein and a good low carb rice substitute that contains several vitamins and minerals Some people with sensitivities to rice report that quinoa is easier to digest than rice and cleans their sensitive stomachs without causing negative reactions Quinoa is a good source of magnesium which helps with muscle function bone health and mood It’s also a good source of manganese niacin phosphorus and selenium In addition to being gluten free and low in carbs quinoa is a great way to add extra protein and antioxidant to your dietQuinoa is an excellent low carb keto substitute to both rice and couscous which are commonly used as substitutes for one another It’s a great source of protein providing energy to keep you full throughout the day after eating it with some milk or yogurt You’ll probably already have quinoa in your pantry because it’s famous for making dishes like quiche risotto and stuffing This recipe from The Kitchn contains some tasty ingredients that can easily be replicated at home You could also try this quinoa fried rice recipe from the New York Times for a bit more flavor!
4. Brown Rice
When you’re on a low carb diet you’ll want to avoid eating foods made with white rice White rice is stripped of its outer layer leaving only the starchy middle part While it does provide energy and help keep your stomach full it’s shallow in nutrients and causes blood sugar to spike quickly Brown rice however is not only healthier but can also be cooked in just a few minutes Another healthy low carb rice substitute option is Broccoli rice or Cabbage rice which are low in net carbs and high in vitamin C Try making this easy to prepare Brown rice dish from The Kitchn with just a few ingredients such as grated cauliflower and cilantro This book also has some great recipes that use Brown rice as the base for side dishes If you’re looking for a new keto substitute to cook check out the Brown Rice recipe from the New York Times This recipe contains white and wild rice so you’ll have a healthy grain option regardless of your diet.
5. Wild Rice
Wild rice is a grain that may be easier to digest than white rice and has a nice nutty flavor You can cook wild rice in less than half the time it takes to cook white rice making it much easier to digest This makes it a great keto substitute rice.
It also contains more vitamins and minerals than other grains including vitamin E magnesium and selenium Wild rice is naturally gluten free so it’s suitable for anyone with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease This recipe from The Kitchn is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a way to incorporate wild rice a keto substitute into your diet If you’re looking for even more variety try this wild rice salad from the New York Times (it contains tomatoes!)
6. Black Bean Brown Rice Burrito Bowls
This recipe from Kitchn contains black beans salsa and plenty of vegetables including zucchini for added fiber You’ll have a satisfying meal in no time If you can’t have dairy you could substitute tofu for the beans leave them out entirely and make this dish even lighter.
You can try this shirataki rice black bean brown rice burrito bowl from the New York Times if you’re looking for another way to cook some delicious rice bowls with konjac rice While at it why not make some homemade guacamole with avocados in season?
Conclusion
Low carb diets are one of the most popular and effective ways to lose weight and keep it off While many low carb diets follow a similar model: reduce the carbohydrates you eat daily and fill them up with healthy fats fruits and vegetables A great low carb rice substitute option you can try is konjac rice which is made from konjac root and has very low net carb count.
A diet rich in low-starch vegetables may benefit people with diabetes or other blood sugar problems because they can help stabilize blood sugar levels.
If you’re looking for ways to follow a low-carb diet or just want to eat healthier, try incorporating some grain substitutes into your diet.