Rice and corn pancakes are known around the world as a delicious and popular snack. Both are considered healthy alternatives to other less healthy snacks, so we delve into the real difference between them.
Choosing pancakes according to our tastes can be a primary idea. We are not going to deny that corn popcorn tastes like popcorn, but is it really better than rice? Why do many athletes take only those with puffed rice?
Nutritional differences
The first and most obvious difference between rice and corn cakes is that they are both made from two completely different grains. However, most of the differences lie in the nutritional value of the beans.
First of all, it is interesting to understand the glycemic index of both snacks. Corn pancakes have a glycemic index of 79, which is pretty high and generally not the healthiest. However, rice cakes have a whopping glycemic index of 82, which is even worse. People think that rice cakes are usually a healthy alternative to most other grains, and the opposite may be true.
Corn cakes contain about 1.2 grams of total fat and 15 grams of fiber, while rice cakes contain no fat or fiber. In addition, corn ones can have up to 78 grams of carbohydrates, while rice ones only have 7.3 grams. But what are all these differences due to? Corn chips may be higher in carbohydrates and fat, but they also have nutritional content. In contrast , rice cakes have no nutritional value to offer. People are often misled into thinking that rice cakes are really good because they are low in carbs and have no fat, but the truth is that they don’t do much for our bodies.
Another difference that may be shocking is the toxin content found in the rice cakes. They actually contain small amounts of arsenic and alloxan, both of which are pretty strong toxins. Of course, the amount found in rice products is not enough to kill or even make a human sick, but it’s still not the best for a snack.
Corn pancakes are healthier
In the end, these two well-known healthy foods may not be as healthy as we thought. They both have different content, but probably neither of them should be our first choice snack. However, if we had to choose one, corn pancakes would probably be a safer bet and a bit healthier.
Corn chips contain several grams of dietary fiber, which is a great benefit to the digestive system. It will also reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. And not only do they contain good amounts of dietary fiber, but they also contain a good amount of polyphenols. These antioxidants are often an important part of the body’s protection against diseases such as cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and many neurodegenerative diseases.
Also, it is not recommended to eat a lot of rice cakes if we want to keep our health and weight under control. One or two can satisfy a temporary carb craving, but unfortunately, rice cakes are what are called empty carbs. Keep in mind that puffing rice depletes the supply of any previously existing antioxidants.
