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All-purpose flour vs Brown rice: How Do They Compare?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between all-purpose flour and brown rice, foods from the grains food group. Read on to learn more about the all-purpose flour vs brown rice comparison.
Catherine Toledo, Journalist

Written by Catherine Toledo, Journalist. Updated on January 30, 2023.

All-purpose flour and brown rice belong to the grains food group, one of the staple food groups for people on a plant-based diet.

Grains and grain products are an affordable source of carbohydrates, as well as essential vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins (such as thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin), iron, and zinc, minerals that are usually harder to get on a plant-based diet.

They also provide a small amount of protein and healthy fats.

However, it is important to note that whole grains are generally a better source of these nutrients than refined grains.

This article will thoroughly compare all-purpose flour and brown rice and help you learn more about their similarities and differences.

All-purpose flour

All-purpose wheat flour (Triticum aestivum) is a type of flour that is made from hard or soft wheat. It is called ‘all-purpose’ because it can be used in various baking applications, including bread, cakes, pastries, and more.

All-purpose wheat flour is a good source of carbohydrates, small amounts of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is also gluten-rich, allowing it to rise and develop a structure in baking.

All-purpose wheat flour is widely used in baking and cooking and can replace other flours in most recipes. It is also a staple ingredient in many traditional dishes such as bread, pastries, and cakes.

All-purpose wheat flour is not gluten-free and unsuitable for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. It can be enjoyed as a balanced diet combined with vegetables, lean protein sources, and healthy fats.

All-purpose flour is not an excellent source of any particular vitamin.

However, it contains a good amount of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) and some Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

Brown rice

Brown rice (Oryza sativa) is a whole-grain rice that is minimally processed, retaining its nutrient-rich bran and germ layers.

It is a good source of carbohydrates, dietary fibers, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is particularly high in vitamins B3, B1, B6, and B9 and minerals like manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus. The high fiber content of brown rice has been linked to improved digestion, weight management, and lower cholesterol levels.

Brown rice is a staple food in many cultures and is often used as a side dish, in soups and stews, and as an ingredient in salads, sushi, and other dishes. It is also considered a functional food, as it has been shown to positively impact health when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet.

Brown rice is a gluten-free alternative to wheat-based products, making it a good option for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Brown rice is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).

It also contains Vitamin B9 (Folate) in a small amount.

All-purpose flour vs Brown rice Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing all-purpose flour vs brown rice.

This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of all-purpose flour and brown rice and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.

All-purpose flourBrown rice
Energy364 kcal362 kcal
Carbs76.3 g76.2 g
Sugar0.27 g0 g
Fiber2.7 g3.4 g
Protein10.3 g7.5 g
Fat0.98 g2.68 g
Saturated Fat0.155 g0.536 g

All-purpose flour vs Brown rice Calories

Most calories in grains come from carbs.

Comparing brown rice vs all-purpose flour for weight loss, brown rice is slightly lower in calories, with 362 calories per 100 grams, compared to 364 calories per 100 grams of all-purpose flour.

However, both all-purpose flour and brown rice can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight.

All-purpose flour vs Brown rice Protein

Grains and most grain products, including all-purpose flour and brown rice, are important sources of plant-based protein.

However, it should be noted that most grains, with the exception of quinoa and buckwheat, for example, are low in lysine and methionine.

That said, you can combine grains with legumes to get a complete protein.

All-purpose flour offers around 27% more protein than brown rice.

All-purpose flour has 10.3 grams of protein per 100 grams, while brown rice has 7.5 grams of protein per 100 grams.

All-purpose flour vs Brown rice Carbs

Counting carbs can be important for some people for different reasons, including blood sugar control, weight management, or athletic performance.

It’s also important for people on a keto diet, so let’s compare the carbs content in all-purpose flour and brown rice.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 0% higher in all-purpose flour than in brown rice. It has 76.3 grams per 100 grams, compared to 76.2 grams in brown rice.

There’s less sugar in brown rice than in all-purpose flour, 100% precisely.

That said, 100 grams of brown rice contains 0 grams of sugar, while the same amount of all-purpose flour contains 0.3 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in all-purpose flour and brown rice.

Dietary fiber keeps the digestive system healthy and helps with weight management by promoting a sense of fullness.

With 3.4 grams of fiber per 100 grams, brown rice is a better source of fiber than all-purpose flour which offers 2.7 grams per 100 gram portion.

All-purpose flour vs Brown rice Fats

Like most other grains, all-purpose flour and brown rice are low in fat.

Fats in all-purpose flour and brown rice are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in all-purpose flour and brown rice:

  • All-purpose flour: 1 grams per 100 grams
  • Brown rice: 2.7 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, all-purpose flour is 60% lower in saturated fats.

All-purpose flour and brown rice contain 0.2 grams and 0.5 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

All-purpose flour vs Brown rice Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of all-purpose flour and brown rice.

Vitamins are micronutrients, meaning we need only a small amount. However, they are very important for many processes in our bodies.

All-purpose flour has a higher amount of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and vitamin K.

However, brown rice has a higher amount of vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin E.

All-purpose flour and brown rice contain the same amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins all-purpose flour and brown rice contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

All-purpose flourBrown rice
Vitamin A00
Vitamin C00
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.12 mg0.413 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.04 mg0.043 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)1.25 mg4.31 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.438 mg1.49 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.044 mg0.509 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)26 µg20 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E0.06 mg0.05 mg
Vitamin K0.3 µg0.9 µg

All-purpose flour vs Brown rice Minerals Content

Minerals are important for our body to function properly. We need only a small amount of minerals, so they are called micronutrients.

Some minerals, like iron, calcium, zinc, or iodine, are relatively hard to get on a plant-based diet, so it’s important to choose your foods thoughtfully. This part of the all-purpose flour and brown rice comparison focuses on their mineral content.

All-purpose flour is a better source of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc than brown rice.

On the other hand, brown rice is a higher amount of selenium.

All-purpose flour and brown rice contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how all-purpose flour and brown rice compare when it comes to mineral content.

All-purpose flourBrown rice
Calcium15 mg33 mg
Copper0.144 mg0.277 mg
Fluoride00
Iron1.17 mg1.8 mg
Magnesium22 mg143 mg
Manganese0.682 mg3.74 mg
Phosphorus108 mg264 mg
Potassium107 mg268 mg
Selenium33.9 µg2.7 µg
Sodium2 mg4 mg
Zinc0.7 mg2.02 mg

The Final Word

This article highlighted the similarities and differences between all-purpose flour and brown rice.

Grains, also known as cereal grains, are an important source of nutrition for many people around the world. They are a rich source of carbohydrates, which provide energy for the body.

Whole grains contain important vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins and iron. Whole grains, in particular, are high in dietary fiber and can help with digestion and weight management.

They may also have other health benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Grains are also a staple food and an important source of food security in many parts of the world.

Sources

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