Avoiding gluten ingredients is a daily practice for anyone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Consequences of not doing so can include abdominal pain and bloating, among other intestinal reactions.
Uncle Ben’s Rice is typically gluten-free. However, a few variations contain durum wheat semolina, a type of spring wheat used to make pasta. The best gluten-free and healthier alternatives to Uncle Ben’s Rice include Better Than Rice Konjac Rice, Natural Heaven Hearts of Palm Rice, Banza Chickpea Pasta, Lotus Food Forbidden Rice, and Miracle Noodle Organic Shirataki Rice.
While rice is naturally gluten-free, you must keep an eye out for gluten ingredients such as rye, wheat, and barley on labels. In addition, if a brand chooses to combine rice with noodles, it is likely to contain gluten. Let’s dig into the different varieties of Uncle Ben’s Rice, as well as healthier alternatives!
Contents
- Is Uncle Ben’s Rice Healthy?
- Uncle Ben’s Nutritional Facts
- Ben’s Original Ready Rice Jasmine Rice
- Ben’s Original Ready Rice Basmati Rice
- Ben’s Original Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown Rice
- Ben’s Original Ready Rice Long Grain & Wild Rice
- Ben’s Original Ready Rice Creamy Four Cheese Flavored Rice
- Ben’s Original Ready Rice Garden Vegetable Rice
- Ben’s Original Ready Rice Spanish Style Rice
- Ben’s Original Ready Rice Long Grain White Rice
- Ben’s Original Instant Brown Rice
- Ben’s Original Ready Rice Brown Basmati Rice
- Ben’s Original Ready Rice Butter & Garlic Flavored Rice
- Ben’s Original Ready Rice Cheddar Broccoli Rice
- Healthy Gluten-Free Alternatives to Uncle Ben’s Rice Products
- Final Thoughts
- Related Questions
Is Uncle Ben’s Rice Healthy?
Uncle Ben’s rice products are fairly healthy, although it depends on the flavor. For most of the variations, the ingredients are straightforward. The sugars tend to be low, and there is usually a generous amount of protein per serving.
The number of calories and grams of carbohydrates per serving can be very high, so it is important to be aware of that if you are in the process of losing weight. Everyone should also consume Uncle Ben’s rice moderately due to these numbers.
Another plus is that most of the products contain numerous vitamins and minerals, including the B vitamins. This can be a helpful addition to your diet, especially if you are not confident that you are getting in all the nutrients you need daily.
Uncle Ben’s Nutritional Facts
Ben’s Original Ready Rice Jasmine Rice
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 420
- Total fat: 4g
- Total carbohydrate: 85g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 9g
These are the ingredients in the Ben’s Original Ready Rice Jasmine Rice:
- Water
- Jasmine rice
- Less than 2% of: canola oil and/or sunflower oil, soy lecithin
Ben’s Original Ready Rice Basmati Rice
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 400
- Total fat: 6g
- Total carbohydrate: 80g
- Total sugars: 1g
- Protein: 9g
These are the ingredients in the Ben’s Original Ready Rice Basmati Rice:
- Water
- Basmati rice
- Less than 2% of: canola oil and/or sunflower oil, soy lecithin
Ben’s Original Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown Rice
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 360
- Total fat: 5g
- Total carbohydrate: 71g
- Total sugars: 1g
- Protein: 7g
These are the ingredients in the Ben’s Original Ready Rice Whole Grain Brown Rice:
- Water
- Parboiled long-grain brown rice
- Less than 2% of: canola oil
Ben’s Original Ready Rice Long Grain & Wild Rice
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 360
- Total fat: 5g
- Total carbohydrate: 71g
- Total sugars: 1g
- Protein: 9g
These are the ingredients in the Ben’s Original Ready Rice Long Grain & Wild Rice:
- Water
- Parboiled long grain rice
- Wild rice
- Less than 2% of: canola oil, yeast extract, salt, onion, sugar, torula yeast, garlic, natural flavors, spices, parsley, spinach, sunflower oil, citric acid, maltodextrin, mushroom, vitamins and minerals [calcium (calcium carbonate), iron (iron phosphate), vitamin B3 (niacinamide), vitamin B1 (thiamine mononitrate), folic acid], celery
Ben’s Original Ready Rice Creamy Four Cheese Flavored Rice
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 340
- Total fat: 8g
- Total carbohydrate: 61g
- Total sugars: 3g
- Protein: 7g
These are the ingredients in the Ben’s Original Ready Rice Creamy Four Cheese Flavored Rice:
- Water
- Parboiled long grain rice
- Vermicelli pasta (durum wheat semolina, fibrous sulfate, folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate)
- Canola oil
- Less than 2% of: modified corn starch, whey, salt, nonfat milk, cheddar/romano/blue/mozzarella cheese (cow’s milk, salt, cheese cultures, enzymes), potassium chloride, onion, maltodextrin, sugar, natural flavors (contains milk), yeast extract, cultured whey, buttermilk, vitamins and minerals [calcium (calcium carbonate), iron (iron phosphate), vitamin B3 (niacinamide), vitamin B1 (thiamine mononitrate), folic acid], torula yeast, lactic acid, annatto extract (color), turmeric extract (color), enzyme-modified parmesan/blue/cheddar/romano cheese (pasteurized cow’s milk, cultures, salt, enzymes)
Ben’s Original Ready Rice Garden Vegetable Rice
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 350
- Total fat: 5g
- Total carbohydrate: 69g
- Total sugars: 2g
- Protein: 7g
These are the ingredients in the Ben’s Original Ready Rice Garden Vegetable Rice:
- Water
- Parboiled long grain rice
- Carrots
- Peas corn
- Contains less than 2% of: canola oil, salt, maltodextrin, sugar, yeast extract, onion, natural flavors (chicken broth), citric acid, garlic, turmeric (color), spice, vitamins, and minerals [calcium (calcium carbonate), iron (iron phosphate), vitamin B3 (niacinamide), vitamin B1 (thiamine mononitrate), folic acid], carrot extract (color)
Ben’s Original Ready Rice Spanish Style Rice
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 360
- Total fat: 5g
- Total carbohydrate: 70g
- Total sugars: 2g
- Protein: 7g
These are the ingredients in the Ben’s Original Ready Rice Spanish Style Rice:
- Water
- Parboiled long grain rice
- Tomato
- Green bell pepper
- Contains less than 2% of: canola oil, tomato powder, salt, sugar, yeast extract, onion, spices, chili pepper, garlic, citric acid, paprika extract (color), natural flavors, rice starch, vitamins and minerals [calcium (calcium carbonate), iron (iron phosphate), vitamin B3 (niacinamide), vitamin B1 (thiamine mononitrate), folic acid]
Ben’s Original Ready Rice Long Grain White Rice
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 350
- Total fat: 5g
- Total carbohydrate: 69g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 7g
These are the ingredients in the Ben’s Original Ready Rice Long Grain White Rice:
- Water
- Parboiled long grain rice
- Contains less than 2% of: canola oil, vitamins, and minerals [calcium (calcium carbonate), iron (iron phosphate), vitamin B3 (niacinamide), vitamin B1 (thiamine mononitrate), folic acid]
Ben’s Original Instant Brown Rice
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 170
- Total fat: 1g
- Total carbohydrate: 35g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 4g
These are the ingredients in the Ben’s Original Instant Brown Rice:
- Whole grain parboiled brown rice
Ben’s Original Ready Rice Brown Basmati Rice
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 400
- Total fat: 9g
- Total carbohydrate: 69g
- Total sugars: 2g
- Protein: 10g
These are the ingredients in the Ben’s Original Ready Rice Brown Basmati Rice:
- Water
- Brown basmati rice
- Contains less than 2% of: canola oil, soy lecithin
Ben’s Original Ready Rice Butter & Garlic Flavored Rice
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 360
- Total fat: 6g
- Total carbohydrate: 71g
- Total sugars: 1g
- Protein: 8g
These are the ingredients in the Ben’s Original Ready Rice Butter & Garlic Flavored Rice:
- Water
- Parboiled long grain rice
- Contains less than 2% of: canola oil, modified corn starch, salt, maltodextrin, yeast extract, coconut oil, autolyzed yeast, corn syrup, sugar, sunflower oil, natural flavors (contains milk), whole milk, garlic, turmeric (color), vitamins and minerals [calcium (calcium carbonate), iron (iron phosphate), vitamin B3 (niacinamide), vitamin B1 (thiamine mononitrate), folic acid], whey, mono and diglycerides, sunflower lecithin, milk fat, dried skim milk, turmeric extract (color), butter oil, natural smoke flavor
Ben’s Original Ready Rice Cheddar Broccoli Rice
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 340
- Total fat: 7g
- Total carbohydrate: 62g
- Total sugars: 3g
- Protein: 8g
These are the ingredients in the Ben’s Original Ready Rice Cheddar Broccoli Rice:
- Water
- Parboiled long grain rice
- Broccoli
- Vermicelli pasta (durum wheat, semolina, ferrous sulfate, folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate)
- Canola oil
- Contains less than 2% of: modified corn starch, whey, salt, nonfat milk, cheddar/romano/blue/mozzarella cheese (cow’s milk, salt, cheese cultures, enzymes), potassium chloride, onion, maltodextrin, sugar, natural flavors (contains milk), yeast extract, cultured whey, buttermilk, vitamins and minerals [calcium (calcium carbonate), iron (iron phosphate), vitamin B3 (niacinamide), vitamin B1 (thiamine mononitrate), folic acid], torula yeast, lactic acid, annatto extract (color), turmeric extract (color), enzyme-modified parmesan/blue/cheddar/romano cheese (pasteurized cow’s milk, cultures, salt, enzymes)
Healthy Gluten-Free Alternatives to Uncle Ben’s Rice Products
Better Than Rice Konjac Rice
This rice is a great nutritious choice, as it contains four grams of fiber per serving and is vegan, keto-friendly, and gluten-free!
Nutrition Info:
- Calories: 15
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrates: 4g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Ingredients:
- Purified water
- Organic Konnyaku flour
- Organic oat fibre
Banza Chickpea Rice
This alternative form of rice delivers 11 grams of protein and five grams of fiber per serving!
Nutrition Info:
- Calories: 170
- Total fat: 3g
- Total carbohydrates: 30g
- Total sugars: <1g
- Protein: 11g
Ingredients:
- Chickpeas
- Potato starch
- Xanthan gum
- Sea salt
Natural Heaven Hearts of Palm Brown Rice
With very few carbohydrates and no fat or sugar in each delicious serving, this brown rice is an optimal choice for anyone trying to lose weight!
Nutrition Info:
- Calories: 25
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrates: 4g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 1g
Ingredients:
- Heart of palm
Miracle Noodle Organic Shirataki Rice
If you are looking for rice with next to no calories, this brand should be your go-to!
Nutrition Info:
- Calories: 5
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrates: 3g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Ingredients:
- Water
- Konjac flour
- Citric acid
Lotus Food Forbidden Rice
This rice is high in magnesium, phosphorus, fiber, and manganese!
Nutrition Info:
- Calories: 150
- Total fat: 1.5g
- Total carbohydrates: 33g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 4g
Ingredients:
- Black rice
Final Thoughts
Beyond the few variations containing durum wheat semolina, Uncle Ben’s rice is a great meal addition for anyone eating gluten-free. There are many different flavors to choose from, allowing you to pair the rice with various meats and vegetables.
While these products should be consumed in moderation due to higher calorie and carbohydrate contents, they are generally considered healthy. Calcium, iron, and B vitamins are present in almost every flavor, which is a great plus! If you want to try an alternative gluten-free brand, TAJ, CJ, Thai Kitchen, and Annie Chun’s are all delicious options!
Related Questions
Is Uncle Ben’s Rice Kosher?
A few flavors of rice are certified kosher; you must check the packaging to be sure!
Is Uncle Ben’s Rice Vegan?
Almost all of the rice products are vegan, but a few do contain dairy products.
Is Uncle Ben’s Rice Parboiled?
Yes, it is parboiled.
Is Uncle Ben’s Rice Dairy-Free?
Most of the rice variations are dairy-free, but a few do contain dairy products. Therefore, it is important to read the label before purchasing.