Is cauliflower ‘rice’ more nutritious than normal rice?

With the news that Chipotle will now offer cauliflower rice on the menu alongside its traditional brown and white options, you may be wondering how the vegetable-based dish compares nutritionally. It is lower in calories and carbohydrates, for starters.

Here is the complete analysis, using Chipotle’s nutritional information. A serving of cauliflower rice with cilantro and lime has:

• 40 calories per serving
• 1 gram of fat
• 3 grams of protein
• 7 grams of carbohydrates
• 3 grams of fiber

Compare this to regular rice:

• 210 calories per serving
• 4 grams of fat (6 in brown rice)
• 4 grams of protein
• 40 grams of carbohydrates (36 in brown rice)
• 1 gram of fiber (2 grams of brown rice)

Is cauliflower rice the best option?

It depends on what you are looking for in your burrito. If you want an easy way to reduce calories or carbohydrates, rice with cauliflower will solve the problem and, at the same time, provide a rice-like filling. The amount of fiber is about the same for all rice options: one versus two or three grams.

I haven’t tried the new offer yet, but in general rice with cauliflower tastes similar to grain, although a little less satisfying. The biggest downside may be less: a low-calorie, low-carb option doesn’t mean that much food, and you may be hungry later. It is also important to note that large amounts of rice with cauliflower do not match everyone’s digestive system, although a single serving in a burrito is unlikely to have a huge effect.

In short, it is a great option if you want to eat more vegetables and less carbohydrates. The new side of Chipotle comes at an extra cost, but there are other places to put cauliflower rice in your life. Trader Joe’s has a fried spicy cauliflower which I love, and is often also available in the freezer section of supermarkets. You can also make your own pulsing fresh cauliflower in a food processor, so try it out if you’re looking for a new vegetarian side.