It is estimated that three percent of the total US population is vegan. Veganism is a global movement, and people go vegan for different reasons. The three primary reasons why people choose to go vegan are:
- They want to be healthier.
- They don’t want animal cruelty.
- They are environmental advocates.
Regardless of why people go vegan, veganism shouldn’t get such a bad rap from a medical point of view because it offers several benefits. Vegans focus on vegetable oils, alternatives to dairy products, pasta, rice and bread, seeds and nuts, various legumes like lentils, vegetables, and fruits.
Different types of grains are also fair games for vegans who may need additional plant protein sources and carbohydrates. There are vegan athletes, and they tend to eat more of the usual vegan fare while supplementing their diets with other meal items that would help boost their energy and protein intake.
Generally speaking, veganism isn’t all that bad. Still, you will have to be more conscientious about eating because protein doesn’t come as quickly. It may be problematic for people with pre-existing medical conditions like gout, as some food items like legumes may not be appropriate for these people.
If you are shifting to veganism, be sure to ask your physician first to make sure that you are physically fit. Some people also enhance their diets by going vegan a few days a week and generally limiting their intake of animal products like meat and dairy products.
Are All Rice Noodles Vegan?
Rice and rice noodles are staples in some parts of the world, and people who also happen to be sensitive to gluten may be interested in trying more rice noodles or rice.
The short answer is that rice noodles are both vegan and gluten-free, like hitting two birds with a single shot.
Rice noodles are often traditionally prepared, and it is two ingredients – rice flour and water.
Extrusion machines are used for creating the noodles or rods, and voila – you have rice noodles. Since veganism allows any food manufactured from purely plant sources, rice noodles are part of the vegan diet.
What are the benefits of eating more rice noodles or integrating them into your daily meals?
- They come in many forms, and the texture and taste will vary wildly depending on the recipe.
This means that if you are shifting your diet to vegan and feel that you are missing out on all the old or classic flavors of your previous diet, you can use rice noodles to spice things up.
Rice noodles are like a blank slate – they follow the lead of seasonings and recipes in general. No two rice noodle recipes will ever taste exactly alike, so it’s quite an exciting ingredient to have in any vegan kitchen. - Rice noodles have lower calories than rice. Rice is more nutritious, especially if you are eating brown rice, red rice, or black rice.
But the main point here is that because rice noodles are made from rice flour, they are not as densely packed with calories, so you can get away with eating more and not precisely getting more calories in the process.
Rice noodles also trump egg noodles when it comes to caloric content. A single serving of egg noodles will provide around 60 calories of energy, while an equivalent measure of rice noodles will have just 44 calories. How’s that for fixing your diet? - As we have mentioned before, rice noodles are gluten-free, and they are an excellent food for individuals who have either Celiac disease or non-Celiac gluten sensitivity. If gluten makes your digestive tract twinge, you need to shift to grains that are naturally free of gluten, and these include crackers and noodles made from rice and corn. Corn flour, surprisingly, is a good pick if you have Celiac disease because, like rice flour, it is 100% free of gluten.
- Rice noodles, for the most part, only need to be heated and rehydrated before eating, in many parts of Asia.
Do Rice Noodles Have Egg?
No, rice noodles do not contain eggs (neither yolks nor egg whites) because these are unnecessary in the production of egg noodles. Rice noodles are made precisely from rice flour and water and are rehydrated when they need to be cooked or served.
There’s a good reason why vegans and other groups like rice and rice noodles – these food products are very versatile, and they contain no animal products, making them ethical and cruelty-free. If you want to shift to a cruelty-free diet, rice noodles are the right choice.
If you have never cooked rice noodles before, start studying Asian cuisine because this ingredient is prevalent in Asia, particularly in East Asia and Southeast Asia.
Some South Asian recipes make use of rice noodles. There are slight variations in how rice noodles are prepared in different regions, but on the whole, they’re always made with rice flour and water.
What Are Rice Noodles Made Of?
Rice noodles are made of rice flour. Like corn, rice is gluten-free and contains very few allergens, making rice (and rice noodles) an ideal staple for people with sensitive digestive systems. If you have been recently diagnosed with a food sensitivity that prevents you from eating wheat and wheat products, shifting to rice will help.
It’s going to be different, though – rice flour and rice do not function the same way as wheat, and rice-based cakes, whether toasted or steamed, will have a different texture and taste compared to bread and cakes made from wheat flour. If you don’t mind making the shift to make yourself healthier, what are you waiting for? Buy some rice noodles from your local Asian grocery and start experimenting with them!
