Brown Rice – A Super Food

Everyone knows that brown rice is better for you than white rice – but why?

Why it’s a super food:

• Brown rice is high in fiber – which helps the body feel full faster and with less food.
• Brown rice is a whole grain, and is not a processed food.
• Brown rice is high in anti-oxidants.
• Brown rice is high in selenium which may help prevent cancer.
• Brown rice is high in manganese which helps the body process fats.

Here is a great vegetarian black bean and brown rice dinner.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 onion, chopped

1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained

1 bell pepper, diced

1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 1/2 cups uncooked instant brown rice

Directions:

In a large pan, heat olive oil on medium-high heat.  Add onion, cook and stir.  When tender, add beans, pepper, tomato, garlic powder and oregano.  Bring to a boil, and add in rice.  Reduce heat and cover, simmer for about five minutes.  Remove from heat.  Let stand for five minutes before serving.  Serves 4.

Photo courtesy freedititalphotos.net