How many calories does rice paper have? Does eating rice paper cause weight gain?

Rice paper is a type of cake made from rice flour, which can be processed into various dishes. This type of cake is not only attractive in flavor but also has many health benefits such as providing starch, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. However, does rice paper have how many calories and if eating too much can cause weight gain or affect nutritional balance. Let's explore these details with Mytour Blog in the following article!

What is rice paper?

Rice paper is a special type of cake, made from rice flour pressed into thin layers like paper and dried in the sun. This type of cake can be eaten in many different ways, sometimes grilled for crispiness, sometimes dipped in water to roll with vegetables and meat. Rice paper is also the essence of delicious spring rolls, a dish that people in the North call nem or nem noodles.

Depending on each region, rice paper is called by different names and has distinct characteristics. In the South, rice paper is named based on the baking process. In some areas in the Central and North Central regions, rice paper is thicker and called rice cake. People here also distinguish between dry rice paper (used for grilling) and wet rice paper (used for wrapping fried spring rolls). In the North, people used to call it rice paper like in the South, but later had to change it to rice cake to avoid offending the name of Lord Trịnh Tráng in Outer Đàng.

Nutritional components in rice paper

The nutritional components in rice paper are also information that many people are curious about when learning about how many calories rice paper has. Specifically, in 100g of thin rice paper, there are the following nutrients:

• Calories: 333
• Protein: 4g
• Starch: 78.9g
• Calcium: 20mg
• Iron: 30mcg
• Fat: 200mg
• Fiber: 500mg
• Phosphorus: 65mg

However, the nutritional content also depends on other ingredients used with rice paper.

How many calories does rice paper have?

How many calories rice paper has is a question without a specific answer because the calorie content will depend on the type of rice paper, specifically:

White Rice Paper

White rice paper is a popular type of cake, the main ingredient is rice flour and may include some other types of flour to make the cake more elastic. White rice paper has a relatively high calorie content with about 280 – 300 calories per 100g of cake.

Mixed Rice Paper

Mixed rice paper is a tempting snack of young people today, made from rice paper and many other ingredients such as shrimp salt, dried beef, quail eggs, green mango, roasted peanuts,... This dish has a blend of sour, spicy, salty, sweet flavors, stimulating the taste buds. Mixed rice paper has a high calorie content with about 300 – 330 calories per 100g of cake. Therefore, users should eat in moderation to avoid weight gain.

Coconut Rice Paper

Coconut rice paper is considered a specialty of the Mekong Delta, made from rice flour and coconut milk. This type of rice paper has a fragrant aroma and a light fatty taste, crispy when grilled. Coconut rice paper has only about 100 calories per 100g of cake, so users can enjoy one coconut rice paper every day without worrying about weight gain.

Milk Rice Paper

Milk rice paper, also known as coconut milk rice paper, is a typical dish of the South, made from rice flour, coconut milk, arrowroot flour, pandan leaves, durian,... This cake usually comes in 2 types, one for immediate consumption, and the other grilled. Each milk rice paper contains only about 75 calories, but it can vary depending on the ingredients used.

Brown Rice Paper

Brown rice paper is a type of cake made from finely ground brown rice, not using white rice flour like white rice paper. This type of rice paper has a brown color and a naturally sweet taste, as well as many nutrients. According to nutrition experts, brown rice paper can contain different calorie levels, from 240 to 340 calories per 100g of cake.

Grilled Rice Paper

Grilled rice paper is an exotic snack often referred to as the “Vietnamese Pizza”. Users can choose between white rice paper or sesame rice paper to grill over charcoal and sprinkle with various delicious toppings such as cheese, quail eggs, sausage, chicken, beef jerky, pork floss,... Grilled rice paper is also a type of cake with high calories, from 300 to 360 calories per piece. Therefore, users should eat in moderation to avoid weight gain.

Sesame Grilled Rice Paper

Sesame grilled rice paper is a simple type of rice paper, made from white rice flour and sprinkled with sesame on top. Sesame grilled rice paper has a sweet and crispy taste, as well as many calories, about 220 – 240 calories per 100g of cake.

Does Eating Rice Paper Make You Fat?

Rice paper is a delicious and easy-to-make snack, requiring only rice flour and water. But does rice paper easily cause weight gain?

Regarding White Rice Paper

In reality, a bag of rice can make many rice papers, so eating a little rice paper does not significantly affect your weight. You may need to pay attention to the quantity and type of rice paper consumed.

Processed Rice Paper

Snacks made from rice paper such as mixed rice paper, rolled rice paper, grilled rice paper, etc., contain quite a few calories due to the combination of various ingredients. Therefore, the amount of calories absorbed depends on the processing of these rice paper dishes. Users should consume these dishes in moderation and supplement with plenty of green vegetables while drinking freshly squeezed juice to provide nutrients to the body.

Is Eating Rice Paper Good for You?

Tips for Eating Rice Paper

Rice paper can be processed into many delicious and convenient snacks. However, it's important not to consume too much rice paper because during production, this type of food may be combined with various additives to enhance flavor, which can be harmful to the stomach, affect digestion, cause constipation, and increase pressure on the liver and kidneys. Users should research the calorie content of each type of rice paper, eat in moderation, avoid gaining weight, and prevent negative effects on health.

Important Considerations When Eating Rice Paper

• Choose High-Quality Rice Paper: Select rice paper with clear origins, no strange colors or chemical smells. Also, check the expiration date of the product and avoid eating rice paper that is too dry, cracked, moldy, or has insects.
• Eat in Moderation: Rice paper contains a significant amount of calories and starch. Overconsumption can lead to weight gain and disrupt nutritional balance. Users should eat rice paper in moderation, not as a substitute for main meals or continuously.
• Pair with Green Vegetables and Beverages: Rice paper is often dry and chewy, which can cause indigestion, constipation, or bloating. Therefore, it's advisable to consume it with green vegetables to provide fiber and vitamins for better digestion. Additionally, you can drink plenty of water or fresh juice to stay hydrated and detoxify the body, avoiding sugary or carbonated drinks.
• Exercise and Physical Activity: Consuming rice paper increases calorie intake, so exercising and being physically active are essential to burn calories and maintain a healthy weight. Suitable activities such as walking, jogging, jumping rope, cycling, yoga, etc., help improve health and enhance body flexibility.

FAQs

Rice paper is a popular food in Vietnam and can be processed into many delicious and convenient snacks. However, it's essential to consume rice paper in a balanced and moderate manner to ensure your health. Mytour hopes this article has helped you understand how many calories rice paper has and how to eat it properly and safely.