Spelt vs Wild rice: How Do They Compare?

Spelt and wild 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 spelt and wild rice and help you learn more about their similarities and differences.

Spelt

Spelt (Triticum spelta) is an ancient type of wheat that is believed to have originated in the Near East.

It is a good source of carbohydrates, dietary fibers, and small amounts of vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, and B-vitamins. It is also rich in antioxidants and protein, making it a valuable food for vegetarians and vegans.

Spelt is commonly used in baking, particularly in traditional dishes such as bread and pasta. It has a nutty and slightly sweet flavor and can be used as a substitute for wheat flour in most recipes. It is also gluten-free and easy to digest, making it a great option for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Spelt is considered a functional food, as it has been shown to have a positive impact on health when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet. It is also a sustainable crop, as it can be grown in poor soil conditions and is resistant to pests and diseases.

Spelt is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B3 (Niacin).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin E.

Wild rice

Wild rice (Zizania aquatica) is a type of cereal grain that is native to North America, specifically the Great Lakes region and the St. Lawrence River area.

It is a good source of carbohydrates, dietary fibers, and small amounts of vitamins and minerals like zinc, iron, and B vitamins. It is also rich in antioxidants and protein, making it a valuable food for vegetarians and vegans.

Wild rice has a nutty and slightly earthy flavor and is often used as a side dish or as an ingredient in salads, soups, and stuffings. It is also gluten-free and easy to digest, making it a great option for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Wild rice is considered a functional food, as it has been shown to positively impact health when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet. It is also considered a sustainable crop, as it can be grown in various habitats, including shallow water, and doesn’t require chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

Wild rice is an excellent source of Vitamin B3 (Niacin).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin E.

Spelt vs Wild rice Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing spelt vs wild rice.

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

Spelt vs Wild rice Calories

Most calories in grains come from carbs.

Comparing spelt vs wild rice for weight loss, spelt is slightly lower in calories, with 338 calories per 100 grams, compared to 357 calories per 100 grams of wild rice.

However, both spelt and wild 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.

Spelt vs Wild rice Protein

Grains and most grain products, including spelt and wild 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.

Wild rice offers around 1% more protein than spelt.

Wild rice has 14.7 grams of protein per 100 grams, while spelt has 14.6 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Spelt vs Wild 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 spelt and wild rice.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 6% higher in wild rice than in spelt. It has 74.9 grams per 100 grams, compared to 70.2 grams in spelt.

There’s less sugar in wild rice than in spelt, 63% precisely.

That said, 100 grams of wild rice contains 2.5 grams of sugar, while the same amount of spelt contains 6.8 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in spelt and wild rice.

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

With 10.7 grams of fiber per 100 grams, spelt is a better source of fiber than wild rice which spelt offers 6.2 grams per 100 gram portion.

Spelt vs Wild rice Fats

Like most other grains, spelt and wild rice are low in fat.

Fats in spelt and wild rice are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in spelt and wild rice:

• Spelt: 2.4 grams per 100 grams
• Wild rice: 1.1 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, wild rice is 50% lower in saturated fats.

Wild rice and spelt contain 0.2 grams and 0.4 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Spelt vs Wild rice Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of spelt and wild rice.

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

Spelt has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin E.

However, wild rice has a higher amount of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B3 (Niacin), and vitamin K.

Spelt and wild rice contain the same amount of vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins spelt and wild rice contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Spelt vs Wild 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 spelt and wild rice comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Spelt is a better source of copper, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc than wild rice.

On the other hand, wild rice is a higher amount of calcium, iron, manganese, selenium, and sodium.

Spelt and wild rice contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how spelt and wild rice compare when it comes to mineral content.

The Final Word

This article highlighted the similarities and differences between spelt and wild 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.