Rice noodles are an ingredient in many Asian dishes. Made from rice flour in the same way that Western-style noodles are made from wheat flour, they have a distinct texture. You can find rice noodles in many varieties at imported-food stores or in the Asian food section of supermarkets.
Serving Size and Calories
A single serving of rice noodles is about 100 g. A serving this size delivers 351 calories, and the overwhelming majority of these calories are from carbohydrates. Less than 1 calorie per serving comes from either fat or protein.
Fats
Rice noodles contain virtually no fat, only 0.1 g per 100-g serving. But many dishes that include rice noodles are prepared with oil. Choosing oils with unsaturated fats rather than saturated fats will keep the recipe heart-healthy.
Carbohydrates
A 100-g serving of rice noodles contains 86.1 g of carbohydrates. Nearly all of these carbohydrates are complex carbohydrates, which deliver energy slowly over time. These carbohydrates are easier on the pancreas than simple carbohydrates, and they contribute to weight loss by reducing food cravings.
Proteins
Rice noodles are relatively low in protein. One serving contains just 0.2 g of protein. This is an incomplete protein, containing only some of the amino acids your body needs.
Vitamins
A serving of rice noodles contains 10 percent of your daily allowance of thiamine, or vitamin B12. It also contains 3 percent of your daily vitamin B6 and 1 percent of your vitamin E, niacin and pantothenic acid.
Minerals
One serving of rice noodles delivers 12 percent of your daily value of iron and 11 percent of your daily value of selenium. It contains smaller levels of manganese, copper, phosphorus and zinc. Rice noodles contain no sodium, but many recipes add salt, soy sauce or MSG.
References
- "Eat, Drink and Be Healthy"; Dr. Walter Willett et al.; 2006
- "The Essential Asian Cookbook"; Thunder Bay Press; 2001
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