Mexican rice, sometimes referred to as Spanish rice, is a traditional Mexican food consisting of white rice cooked in chicken broth and flavored with cumin, garlic, tomato and other seasonings. In some recipes, sweet corn kernels are also added. Frequently served as a side dish with other Mexican foods, such as enchiladas, tacos and fajitas, Mexican rice is a calorie-rich food that is high in carbohydrates and relatively low in saturated fats and cholesterol.
Components
A one-cup serving of Mexican rice weighs around 243g, based on data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This serving has 41g of carbohydrates. Proteins weigh in at 4.5g and there are 3.5g of fat in this size serving, which also contains around 190g or water and 3g of dietary fiber. The remaining amount is composed of other nutrients.
Calories
Mexican rice has 180 calories per 1-cup serving. Carbohydrates deliver the majority at around 130 calories, while fats provide 30 calories and proteins equal 20 calories. Within a typical 2,000 calorie per day diet, one serving contributes around 9 percent of that amount.
Vitamins
The most abundant vitamins include folate at 90mcg, which is just over 22.5 percent of the recommended daily intake, or RDI; vitamin C at 27mg, which is just under 35 percent of the RDI; niacin at 3.1mg; and 0.3 mg of vitamin B6. The latter two vitamins are both 20 percent each of the RDI. Other vitamins found in Mexican rice include vitamins A, E and K.
Minerals
Mexican rice also contains several important dietary minerals. A 1-cup serving includes 3mg of iron, which is about 30 percent of the RDI; 8 mcg selenium, which is 14 percent of the RDI; and 87mg of phosphorus, which is 12.5 percent of the RDI. Other minerals within this size serving include calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc.
Health Concerns
Increased levels of sodium in the diet can adversely affect certain medical conditions, which include congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure. The USDA states that a 1-cup serving of Mexican rice can contain over 700mg of sodium or almost 50 percent of the RDI. People with medical problems affected by excessive sodium intake may decide to cook a low-sodium version of Mexican rice.
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