[ENOUGH ALREADY]

I love rice and I eat it everyday! do I have to remove it from my new lifestyle? I'm just starting my FINAL weight loss journey. Final because I now know I will make this happen!!

[WarMaiden]

A better question would be: "How terrible is rice for me in my diet?" Rice might be fine for some people, not fine for others, and for still others it's a moot point since they don't eat it. Why don't you experiment with not eating it for a while and see what happens? My suggestion would be to take out the rice you're eating and replace it with an equal volume of vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, spinach, Romaine lettuce, asparagus, tomatoes, carrots, etc. Any and all of those offer much more nutritional benefit (and fewer calories) than rice.

[AnnieDrews]

You will get many answers on this. Here's mine: In my diet, I eat rice (white, brown, etc.). I just make sure and use portion control and count it closely. I love rice, too. I know, for me, if I deny myself things that I love I will not be able to follow my lifestyle changes permanently. Do some research and count it into your plan. Also, find ways to prepare it in a healthy manner (less added fat and sodium). Good luck!

[Glory87]

I eat a lot of rice. I always portion it - after all these years! It is a tough food for me to eyeball.

[PeanutsMom704]

I personally am fine having rice and all other grains - but in very carefully measured, small portions. It's more for a bit of flavor and texture than as the base for a whole dish, if that makes sense?

[Toni48]

A half of a cup is a serving. Why not try brown rice. So much better for you.

[ENOUGH ALREADY]

It's weird because I make dinner and there is always rice. Being Puertorican rice and beans is a staple. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico and my mother made rice every single day. When I got married, my husband expected rice every single day as well. can't run away from it! lol

[ennay]

You love it, you eat it every day. Removing it doesnt sound like something that will be easy or sustainable. I would say that would go far far far far far down the list of things to change.

[Beverlyjoy]

I have not given up rice. I have eaten brown rice most of my life. It's important to measure it. Other than that, enjoy.

[beerab]

I wouldn't call rice "good" or "bad" in fact I try not to label things that way. That being said if counting calories is your weight loss routine you can still have some white rice or brown or whatever rice you eat.

If you are doing something like South Beach white rice is a no-no in the first phase and then I'm not sure about the other phases but I'd switch to brown or wild rice. I'm on south beach and I pretty much never eat white rice anymore and when I do have rice it's brown or wild rice because it has a lower glycemic index.

[RunnerChemist]

You can try adding vegetables to your rice and beans to bulk out a small portion but still get the rice and bean flavor. Maybe cabbage, broccoli, or other green? I love beans and greens together, and that would go well with rice. It wouldn't necessarily be traditional, but it might be delicious.

[Stella4]

I definitely agree with the advice on portion control when it comes to rice.

But rice can be a food that sometimes stops up some peoples bowels, so I would suggest limiting rice if you found this to be the issue with yourself!

[ENOUGH ALREADY]

I make white rice, but will buy a small bag of brown rice and see if I like the taste. But I always measure a 1/2 cup for me. My fatness came around because I love sweets not because I overate rice. Weirdly I always remember how my mom always said that too much rice constipates! hahahaha

[tommy]

I will chime in on the portion control. Your situation is different because you are feeding someone else. I buy the already cooked rice in a shelf stable single serving bowl at the Korean market. It is a starchy sticky fragrant rice and is 300 calories. I portion out 1/4 to 1/3 of it per meal and that is completely fine calorie wise plus it gives me the taste I love. I add tons of veggies, quick pickles, and my lean protein and have a lovely satisfying meal. Yes- I could go brown and sometimes do, but it just does not hit my "yum button".

[ENOUGH ALREADY]

Tommy, I like that "Yum Button" lol