Obsessed with rice!

sarahsmith86

So for the last week or so, I can't seem to get enough rice pilaf. It's one of the only foods at just over 10 weeks that I can handle. Well, being the neurotic person that I am, I was doing some research and found that some medical professionals are advising not to eat rice during pregnancy due to the high arsenic levels. Am I the only one that didn't know this? Anyone else out there been eating rice 3 or 4 times a week? Guess I should give it up, but I love good ol' Uncle Ben!

kcebeling

I didn't know about arsenic levels either, but if you choose an organic variety of rice you should be ok. Pilaf is a very simple style of preparation so you could make it with any grain you prefer. You can even mix and match ingredients and prep styles from different recipes to make something that appeals to you as much as Uncle Ben's. Also, check with your doctor as far as the white rice is concerned. She or he may think your choice is perfectly acceptable and you might not have to change a thing. Lastly, white rice is really easy to digest--that's why you're so into it right now.

keenebride2015

Pretty sure chinese and japanese women have been eating rice daily for centuries during their pregnancies, and they seem to be A-okay in the baby makin' department.  Quit worrying and eat your damn rice.  

sunshineandsilver

FDA says there is not a difference in the levels of arsenic between organic or conventional so going organic isn't going to help you as far as arsenic levels go.

hollyberri

If it makes you feel better, I've been hitting the rice hard too. I don't think 3-4 times a week will hurt anything :-)

ChristyM87

I don't think anyone would say that you need to avoid rice completely. I am sure that you are fine

sarawalks

i am eating rice at this exact moment. loving it.

Lalala2326

The issue with rice is leftover arsenic that was used in pesticides in the old cotton fields in the US. These fields are now used to grow rice thus leaching old pesticide arsenic into the rice. White rice actually has lower levels than brown rice because the hulls in the brown rice have higher levels. Imported rice has lower levels because it is not grown on these old cotton fields.

Do what you want with that info, but that is the info. Many doctors say don't worry about it, some say limit it, some say avoid it. I think FDA has said no conclusive evidence about it to warrant anything at this time.

Personally, I eat it in moderation but try not to go crazy on it like pretty much everything else.

AshK1027

I'm having a moment because of this post. I live on rice (throw stones). Steamed, fried, Mexican, Cajun...I love it aaaaand I'm struggling now.

Lalala2326

FWIW I just think everyone needs to think moderation and variety as much as possible. I get really liking a certain food, but arsenic levels aside, if you are eating primarily only one food (like rice, or potatoes, etc...) then you are also primarily only getting one set of vitamins/minerals. I also totally get the nausea thing and cravings - I'm still throwing up and rarely feel like eating much of anything and when I do there are only 2-3 things that ever actually sound decent - but it doesn't make it healthy even if arsenic wasn't a concern. If you are eating in moderation though then all of these concerns that keep coming up (arsenic, BPA, nitrates/nitrites, etc...) aren't such a big deal cause you aren't getting such crazy high doses of them eating the same thing every day. Again, I get the cravings/nausea thing, but if its bad enough you physically can't force yourself to eat more than rice then I think a talk with the doctor is needed to see about anti-nausea meds or other measures and otherwise everyone just needs to try to mix it up a little and quit having to worry so much.