comparing rices

[FuzzyDustBunnies]

I'm doing some reading on different ingredients. On the naturapet.com site, there is an areas that will tell you about various ingredients.

For rice it says:Rice, unless listed as brown rice, is the de-hulled rice kernel, without the bran -- known as white rice.

Rice, in its whole form, is a high quality source of carbohydrates, protein and fiber. This is in contrast to fractionated grain ingredients used by some manufacturers such as rice polishings, rice bran, or brewers rice which have been leeched of much of their nutrient value.

Natura uses whole rice, which is the most easily digested grain and the least likely to cause allergic reactions. It is an antidiarrheal and helps lower cholesterol. Natura also uses brown rice, which is the same plant with the bran intact.

And for brown rice it says:Ground brown rice is the entire product obtained in grinding the rice kernels after the hulls have been removed.

Ground brown rice is a high quality source of carbohydrates and natural fiber. Natura adds brown rice to provide excellent nutritional value and a 'nutty' flavor in dog and cat foods. Ground brown rice is slightly less digestible than ground (white) rice.

So...which is the better choice?

 

[Bluedog]

Guess it depends on whether you are trying to cure diarrhea, or make it taste better by adding a "nutty flavor".

When in doubt use both, like they do in their California Natural Lamb Meal and Rice, which is what Angus gets. Cured his cow pies pronto, and he just loves that nutty flavor!

 

[FuzzyDustBunnies]

LOL Nancy! Glad to hear Angus approves!

 

[Leslie]

My thoughts are that, just like for people, whole grains are better for you so go with brown rice. Tastes good and good for you.......mmmmmm, nutty.

 

[mulenag]

No rice advice for you, but Eb has been eating CN lamb and rice for over a year now and is really doing great on it. I even think it has helped with her allergies and is giving her a shiny coat.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Hi

Both of my guys are on CN lamb and rice. Monty coats looks great, nice and shiny. It has helped with his allergies. And since Gunny went on it, he has not had a hot spot.

Annette

 

[Largo]

Some General nutritonal information about rice.

Of all the grains, I believe it is the lowest in protein. But its protein is good quality (high in lysine, an essential amino acid for canines) and easily usable. It is not however complete in amino acids. But most grains aren't which is why they are best eaten with complimentary foods. Rice is also high in the B vitamins thiamine, biotin, niacin, pyridoxine, and pantothenic and folic acids, but not as high in riboflavin and vitamin B12. Rice is also a good source for magnesium, manganese, potassium, zinc, and iron and small amounts of phosphorus, copper, and calcium. Rice has some vitamin E, but no vitamin A and C. Rice can also be a rich source of selenium if grown in selenium rich soil.

Rice is one of those grains where a light milling will not deplete it of its nutrients. However, white rice is highly refined and bleached and then pearled (polished usually with talc). This refinement process strips it (and most grains) of nearly all if not all of its nutritional value, especially its B vitamins. I think 80% of vitamin B1 (thiamine) is lost. A disease called beri-beri comes about do to a thiamine deficiency, which is why white rice is fortified. Incidentally, because of this fortification, it is higher in thiamin, niacin, and iron than brown rice.

By the way, the agent used to adhere the fortification to the rice can be a corn or wheat gluten base. If there is a lot of this refined rice in the diet, this could be a possible source of allergy flare up if the dog is allergic to corn or wheat. Just and FYI.

What is left after the refinement process is the starch (carbohydrate). Starch is the most easily digested part of a grain and is a good source of energy. Although it is a much better energy source when the grains' oils accompany the starch.

The white rice is more easily digested than the brown and therefore a more readily usable source of energy. But even though it is brought to its most easily digestable state by the refinement process, its carbohydrate that is left is not required by canines. Because of this, outside of this energy source, white rice serves mainly as a filler. It may impart some vitamins and trace minerals if the white rice used by pet food manufacturers is the same fortified white rice used for human consumption.

So, the white rice (and the other refined carboydrates in kibbles such as potatos and corn) is a source of readily available energy for the body and if fortified a source of vitamins and trace minerals. But mainly filler.

Also, in addition to being more easily digestable, white rice is also more quickly converted into a single surgar molecule(the only kind that can pass into the bloodstream). This rapid conversion may cause spikes in the blood sugar level (glucose level). The conversion of brown rice (or any whole grain) is a much slower process that does not cause such spikes. This is do to their fiberous hulls which act as a barrier to digestive enzymes, keeping them from immediate access to the starch. Increases in blood sugar levels has been linked to some diseases, like diabetes.

At the risk of being accused of being an alarmist, a side note. Those of you feeding a lamb and rice diet should stay on top of your dogs taurine levels. As lamb and rice diets have been linked to taurine deficiency (why exactly is not fully understood) this can lead to cardiomyopathy. The relationship between taurine deficiency and DCM is well established in cats and this same relationship has been seen in some dogs. So, do your blood work and do make sure that your lamb and rice diet of choice is sufficiently supplemented with taurine and/or its precursors.

 

[mulenag]

Originally posted by Largo:
At the risk of being accused of being an alarmist, a side note. Those of you feeding a lamb and rice diet should stay on top of your dogs taurine levels.

I've been warned about this by others as well. CN does add taurine to their L&R kibble, but I also make sure I give some type of fish to help with any taurine the kibble may be lacking.
Thanks for bringing it up.

 

[Largo]

You're welcome Becky. Until it can all be figured out, its best to check the lamb and rice diet fed for taurine supplimentation.