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SAY GOODBYE TO EMPTY CARBS WITH THESE HEALTHY RICE BRANDS

Danielle St. Pierre Apr 12 , 2019

As affordable and readily available as it may be, though, white rice is not a healthy option, as it's processed, stripped of most of its nutrients, and loaded with empty carbs. As an alternative, brands are making healthy “rice” from vegetables, legumes, and other plant-based ingredients. From chickpea-based rice to rice made from whole grains, lentils, cauliflower, and peas, these healthy rice options contain more protein and fiber than white rice, up to 40% less net carbs per serving, and are much kinder to your waistline.

Here are our current favorite healthy rice brands to transform your next burrito bowl or stir-fried dish.

1) BEST FOR BURRITO BOWLS
RightRice Spanish Vegetable Rice (6-Pack)
amazon.com $23.94

Made with lentil flour, chickpea flour, pea fiber, rice flour, sunflower oil, and salt, RightRice vegetable rice is a much healthier option than white rice. With more than double the protein, five times the fiber, and nearly 40% fewer net carbs than white rice, RightRice will make your next side dish much more nutritious.
Try this slightly spicy Spanish flavor in your next burrito bowl — its chili powder adds a zesty kick.More: Tasty Boxed Pasta for Quick Weeknight Meals

2) BEST CAULIFLOWER RICE
Urban Roots Moroccan Spiced Cauliflower Rice Veggie Kit
jet.com $7.10

Chances are you've seen these fresh veggie kits from Urban Roots at your nearest Whole Foods and wondered what's up with them. 

Well, take our advice: Next time, pick one up! These veggie kits are perfect for quick, healthy weeknight meals and include all of the ingredients and simple directions you'll need to get cooking.

We love this Moroccan Spiced Cauliflower Rice kit — a vibrant mélange of spices including turmeric, cumin, and ginger, along with crunchy carrot ribbons, tart cranberries, riced cauliflower, and scallions. It's not only deliciously healthy, but it looks pretty on the plate. Who said cauliflower was boring?

3) BEST CHICKPEA RICE
Banza Chickpea Rice (6-Pack)
eatbanza.com 
$24.00

You may be familiar with Banza's wildly popular line of chickpea pasta, but chickpea rice is the brand's new baby. Made from chickpea flour, this orzo-like rice cooks similarly to the brand's pasta and contains a whopping 11 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per serving. 

We love serving this healthy rice alongside grilled salmon and our favorite seasonal veggie for a quick and yummy weeknight meal.

4) TASTY IN STIR-FRY
Explore Cuisine Organic Chickpea Risoni (6-Pack)
amazon.com $26.99

With a consistency that's a hybrid between orzo pasta and rice, this new organic Chickpea Risoni from Explore Cuisine tastes absolutely delicious in grain bowls and hearty soups. With 12 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber per serving, this healthy rice alternative is our new go-to for fresh spring salads and stir-fry meals.

5) Lundberg Gluten-Free Wild Blend Rice
amazon.com $13.09

Not all rice is made equal! Lundberg's Wild Blend Rice is made from a delicious mixture of wild and whole-grain brown rice, including long-grain brown rice, sweet brown rice, and whole-grain black Japonica rice. This rice blend not only looks gorgeous on the plate, but it has an earthy, nutty taste that is much more interesting than white rice.

6) Bob's Red Mill Wild Brown Rice Mix (4-Pack)
amazon.com 
$36.99

This blend of whole-grain brown rice and wild rice from Bob's Red Mill makes a versatile and healthy rice swap for everyday meals. With a rich, nutty flavor and more toothsome texture, reviewers love using this wild rice as a side dish alongside poultry or grilled veggies.

7) RiceSelect Royal Rice Blend With Flaxseed (4-Pack)
amazon.com 
$27.08

Step up your bland rice game with this yummy blend of Texmati light brown rice, whole wheat pearl couscous, brown flaxseed, and black lentils from RiceSelect. With a respectable 5 grams of protein per serving, this flavorful rice blend has a unique and satisfying texture and contains heart-healthy flaxseed for a nutrient-dense omega-3 boost.