Hey guys! I’m currently in the midst of packing before heading to Florence tomorrow for a good friend’s wedding. To say I’m excited would be an understatement. Especially now that we have reached the age where our own friends are getting married, attending weddings have become so much more special. Before I enter the land of pizza, pasta & gelato, I wanted to discuss a food on the other end of the spectrum: rice cakes.
Especially during the low-fat, high-carb craze that plagued the 1980s & 1990s, rice cakes gained popularity as one of the ultimate diet foods. However if you look at the nutritional label, the only thing ‘diet-friendly’ about them is that they are extremely low in calories, about 30 calories per rice cake predominantly from carbs. They lack fat, vitamins, minerals and contain negligible amounts of protein, half a gram at the most. In terms of weight loss, rice cakes do nothing to nourish the body, reduce hunger or improve satiety when eaten alone. And let’s be honest, plain rice cakes taste like styrofoam pretty bland on their own.
That all being said, I am personally a big fan of rice cakes and they’ve definitely become a staple in my pantry. While they might not be the most nutritious or satisfying food when eaten alone, rice cakes are the perfect vehicle for so many different toppings. What’s even better is that wholegrain variety of rice cakes are now available i.e. rice cakes made from brown rice- gotta love that extra fibre! As long as you add enough protein and/or healthy fat, rice cakes can actually make for a pretty filling, delicious & healthy snack or even a side for a meal. While I wouldn’t equate them to toast, they are certainly a nice alternative. Especially as an increasing number of people seem to be avoiding gluten, it’s a good thing rice cakes are naturally gluten-free! While the options truly are endless, here are some of my fave ways to eat rice cakes:
Rice cakes topped with…
- Mashed avocado, chili flakes, lemon juice & salt
- Almond butter & fruit preserves
- Protein spread i.e. Simply add a scoop of your fave protein powder to a bowl and add enough water to form a paste (about 2-3 tablespoons). Once ready, spread on rice cakes.
- Hummus, cucumber slices & hot sauce
- Peanut butter & banana slices
- Smoked salmon, hummus & freshly ground black pepper
And some are some other combinations which I don’t have a picture for:
Rice cakes topped with…
- Finely chopped tomatoes, basil & a drizzle of balsamic glaze
- Runny eggs
- Cream cheese & grated carrot
- Egg/tuna/chicken salad (<— click here for a yum Chicken Avocado Salad recipe)
- Salsa & turkey slices
Some people call rice cakes bland, but I think ‘versatile’ is a more fitting description ;)!
Are you a fan of rice cakes?
If so, what’s your favourite topping?
If not, what’s your favourite toast topping?
I actually don’t mind rice cakes. For me, it’s a great pre-run snack when topped with some PB 🙂
Agreed, especially as it sits quite well while running!
I didn’t find rice cakes in Italy, until I got to Florence, funnily enough! I had chocolate-covered ones and they were amazing. It’s amazing how much you miss certain foods (rice cakes, peanut butter, etc) when you can’t access them in other countries. I’m sure you know this first hand! Have the best time in Florence and make sure you try the sandwich place (All’Antico Vinaio) and best gelato (La Carraia)!
Dude the food in Florence was SO good- all those glorious carbs & cheese!!
Have the best time in Florence! I actually love to use rice cakes for making sandwiches and one of my absolute favourite snacks these days is a rice cake topped with homemade brazil nut butter and a tiny squeeze of honey. True, they are not super nutrient packed, but sometimes they do serve their purpose when topped with other healthy ingredients! I love the Kallo brand. We never had a good brand like that in the states (at least, I never saw one) — it makes it easier to eat them when they are made with good stuff! Another gem over here! 🙂
Thanks Erin :)! Love the sound of brazil nut butter- I must try making some soon!
Have a great time in Florence! That’ll be awesome. I am a big fan of rice cakes – avocado/eggs and peanut butter/banana are definitely my favourite combos.
Thanks Sam :)! Love rice cakes topped with avocado & eggs!
i havent had rice cakes in a long time but i like them with nut butter.
Mmm me too!
I quite like rice cakes – especially the crunch it gives! And always good to get a bit of extra starch in, especially after training (but only when paired with great protein and fat sources of course!).
I love mixing some avocado with a tin of tuna, salt, pepper and a bit of garlic and olive oil – then spreading on top! Yum!
I’m not a big fan of tuna but I love doing something similar with boiled eggs and/or chicken!
Rice cakes and avocado are one of my favorites! Even better with a runny egg. 🙂
Runny eggs–> only way to do it ;)!
I used to NOT be a fan of rice cakes till I saw how you enjoy yours! I’ve been rice-caking ALL wrong – cos dang girl – these ones topped with these amazing toppings have got it going on! I definitely need to give topped rice cakes a try!
Safe travels and hope you have a blast!
Thanks Shashi & please make sure you try these combos out soon!
Mmmmm – rice cakes topped with a runny egg actually sounds genius! LOVING all these creative ideas, exactly the thinking I needed to get back on the ole rice cake wagon 🙂 xxx
But but…how could you ever get OFF the rice cake wagon ;)!