The rice cake is a disc-shaped snack food made with puffed rice. This popular health food item is often eaten topped with nut butters and other nutritious spreads for a convenient grain-based snack. The ingredients in rice cakes are typically simple -- water and rice. Rice grains are soaked with water and formed into a patty. A rice cake mold similar to a waffle iron heats the rice until it pops and the grains stick together because of their starchy composition. Rice cakes provide a variety of benefits for a weight-loss plan.
Calories
Two rice cakes provide 70 calories, or about 4 percent of a standard 2,000-calorie diet. Rice cakes provide a low-calorie snack with a relatively high volume. This combination is advantageous for weight loss because hunger is satisfied, nutrients are provided and total daily calories are reduced. A peanut butter spread adds 188 calories per 2-tbsp. serving for a total of 258 calories -- a reasonable number of calories for a weight-loss plan.
Protein
The protein content in two rice cakes is 1.5 g, or 3 percent of the 50 g daily value. Protein is an important element of a weight-loss plan because it moderates the body's rate of carbohydrate digestion, preventing abnormal blood glucose increases and fat storage that lead to weight gain. The body also needs amino acids to form digestive enzymes necessary for normal metabolism that facilitates weight regulation.
Fat
A serving of two rice cakes provides .5 g fat, or about 1 percent of the 65 g daily value. The fat gram provides more calories than protein or carbohydrates. Low-fat foods typically contribute fewer calories than foods high in fat, which makes them an appropriate addition to a dietary plan for weight loss.
Glycemic Index
The glycemic index score of rice cakes is low, meaning consuming them does not raise the blood sugar level significantly. This characteristic of rice cakes is important for weight loss because elevated blood sugar causes the body to store carbohydrates as fat, eventually leading to weight gain and hyperglycemia.
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