Nutritional Value Of Jasmine Rice From Thailand

Jasmine rice from Thailand is known around the world for its flavor, texture and scent. Thailand's jasmine rice is a relatively new breed of rice, only being cultivated since the early 20th century, according to the website TempleofThai.com. Like most other types of rice, jasmine rice from Thailand is fat-free and a good source of carbohydrates. Knowing the nutrition information for jasmine rice can help you determine how it fits your diet plan.

Calories

A 1/4-cup serving of dry jasmine rice from Thailand contains 160 calories. By comparison, the same size serving of dry long-grain white rice contains 138 calories. Jasmine rice is a more calorie-dense food when compared to long-grain white rice.

Fat

The jasmine rice from Thailand is a fat-free food with no fat or cholesterol per serving. Limiting your intake of fat can reduce your risk of heart disease and obesity. Fat is an essential nutrient, however, necessary for absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and energy. Your diet should get 20 to 35 percent of its calories from fat.

Carbohydrates

Most of the calories in the jasmine rice come from its carbohydrate content. A 1/4-cup serving of dry rice contains 36 g of carbohydrates, making up 90 percent of the total calories. As a high-carbohydrate food, one serving of jasmine rice from Thailand meets 12 percent of your daily value for carbohydrates. Carbohydrates should provide most of your daily calorie intake, making up 45 to 65 percent of your calories.

Protein

Jasmine rice does contain a small amount of protein. A 1/4-cup serving contains 3 g of protein, meeting 6 percent of your daily protein needs. As a plant-based food, the protein in the rice is considered an incomplete source of protein because it does not contain all of the essential amino acids. However, if you eat a balanced diet that includes other grains and vegetables, you should be able to adequately meet all of your amino acid needs.

Sodium

In addition to being fat-free, jasmine rice from Thailand is also sodium-free. Sodium, like fat, is an essential nutrient but you only need it in small quantities. According to registered dietitians Kathleen Mahan and Sylvia Escott-Stump, authors of "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy," you only need 200 mg of sodium a day to support normal physiological functions. However, sodium does add flavor to foods, and it is recommended for heart-health you limit your daily intake to less than 2,300 mg a day, the amount of sodium found in 1 tsp. of salt.