The New Nutritional Powerhouse - Cauliflower Rice

The cauliflower rice craze is here! This phenomenon has swept the health and wellness industry with its innovative and nutritive qualities. Let’s take a minute to dive into this veggie and why it has become so popular!

Health Benefits of Cauliflower

So, what really is cauliflower rice? Well, it is just that; riced cauliflower made by taking the white veggie and putting it in a food processor to grind it up into grain-looking pieces. Although its appearance and texture closely matches that of real rice, the nutritional elements differ.

*Picture adapted from Very Well

Brown rice, which is a grain and a complex carbohydrate, is a great source of energy for the body and dietary fiber. Additionally, brown rice has a low glycemic index, which means it will not spike your blood sugar like other sugars do and, is therefore, a great carb choice for those with diabetes.

Cauliflower, on the other hand, is a low calorie veggie packed with numerous micronutrients! Just to name a few, cauliflower is full of:

Vitamin C
Vitamin K
Vitamin B6
Folate
Pantothenic acid
Potassium
Manganese
Magnesium
Phosphorus

Cauliflower is also an excellent source of dietary fiber, which helps regulate your digestive tract and bowel movements. Fiber is also known to reduce risk of severe illnesses like heart disease and some cancers.

Cauliflower Rice Craze

Although riced cauliflower was invented by a chef in the 1990’s, this innovative food seems to have just taken off in recent years. So, what makes cauliflower rice so appealing?

Cauliflower rice is a gluten-free replacement for regular rice or other grains in a meal! It can also be a lower-calorie or “lighter” option in a meal instead of brown rice.

Another diet trend that has received a lot of attention is the low-carb diet! Carbs have been labeled as the enemy and are blamed for weight-gain and other undesirable health outcomes. People falsely blame all carbohydrates for being “bad for you”, when in actuality complex carbs are a necessary part of a balanced diet.

Complex carbs are an essential energy source for the body and provide long-lasting and sustained energy to fuel your body. Examples of complex carbs include:

Whole grains
Brown rice
Quinoa
Oats
Fruits and Veggies
Beans

Conversely, simple carbohydrates are the culprits for these negative health consequences like weight-gain, fatigue, bloating, and even illnesses. Simple carbs are quickly processed and used in the body and provide little nutritional value. These foods should be consumed in moderation and a few examples include:

Sugar - white, brown, raw, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup
Sugar-sweetened beverages
White bread and white rice
Baked goods
Processed foods

For those who are “carb-conscious”, cauliflower rice is a great alternative because it is packed with fiber and nutrients with and only 3 net carbs per serving. Adding cauliflower rice to a meal is also a great way to sneak in some more veggies.

It is important to note that cauliflower rice is not a complete replacement for the grains/complex carb portion of a balanced plate.

The food industry has caught on to this trend and now you can not only buy riced-cauliflower in grocery stores, but even some restaurants are starting to incorporate it into their menus! Although we believe that homemade is best, check out cauliflower rice in the frozen section of your grocery store and remember, the less ingredients the better!

Pure Plates offers a variety of cauliflower rice options to their consumers.

Cauliflower Rice Recipes

Feel compelled to try cauliflower rice for yourself? Here are some recipes to try out!

The bottom line…

The cauliflower rice craze has taken over the health and wellness industry and for good reason. Cauliflower is a nutritional powerhouse and is a great veggie to include in your diet. Try cauliflower rice for yourself by choosing an option from Pure Plates menu - your meal will be packed with nutrients and you’ll be full longer!