Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | "Can I eat rice? What about brown rice versus white rice?"

White rice is a great soluble fiber foundation food for IBS. Brown rice may be a safe option as well, but it is a whole grain so be a bit cautious.

Brown rice and white rice start out as the exact same thing. The only difference is that the bran, or exterior brown part, is polished off to create white rice. There is nothing in white rice that's not also in brown rice. It's just that brown rice still has the bran, and white rice doesn't.

This is actually a critical difference, because bran is insoluble fiber, and thus a potential trigger. Even though white rice is simply brown rice with the bran (and thus the insoluble fiber) removed, they both have the same amount of soluble fiber.

Brown rice tends to be one of the most tolerable whole grains for IBS, but if you're really struggling, stick to white rice until you're stable.

XOXO
Heather

--------------------
Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!

Print Remind Me Notify Moderator