White Pasta vs. Brown Pasta

Lago

I always eat a large amount of rice or pasta before any sporting events I have. Up until recently I only ever had brown rice or pasta but when I started to run out of it I chanced the white stuff and have got better results from it.

So I'm wondering is there really a big difference between white and brown pastas and rice in terms of energy and carbohydrates? I know brown has a small bit more fibre but is that the only difference?

doctorwhogirl

Lots about this online. Basically it's to do with the sugars and how they're released and used by the body. Brown rice is better for you as it is lower GI, meaning it will release its energy slowly keeping you fuller for longer. The fibre also aids this.

Lago

doctorwhogirl wrote: »

Lots about this online. Basically it's to do with the sugars and how they're released and used by the body. Brown rice is better for you as it is lower GI, meaning it will release its energy slowly keeping you fuller for longer. The fibre also aids this.

Aye, that's what I thought but I sort of got bogged down by the numbers. Would this have much of an effect on athletic performance or is GI Index simply a matter of what keeps you fuller for longer?

Goin90

Lago wrote: »

I always eat a large amount of rice or pasta before any sporting events I have. Up until recently I only ever had brown rice or pasta but when I started to run out of it I chanced the white stuff and have got better results from it.

So I'm wondering is there really a big difference between white and brown pastas and rice in terms of energy and carbohydrates? I know brown has a small bit more fibre but is that the only difference?

Are you eating the pasta in isolation or with other foods? If you're eating other foods (proteins or fats) with the pasta/rice the GI scale tends to be far less relevant, as these other macronutrients will slow down the overall digestion of the meal, hence absorption into bloodstream.

Lago

It's mostly pasta in isolation. Some times I may have a small amount of milk or some other form of carbohydrate like porridge or something.

GiftofGab

Not much difference in basmati white rice and brown rice. Both have a low GI content. Brown rice is just a bit lower that it all. Personally I eat basmati rice and white pasta as im not a fan of brown nice and hate brown pasta.