Vermicelli rice noodles are high in calories and carbs
Image Credit: sveta_zarzamora/iStock/GettyImages
That soft noodle filling the bowl of your Vietnamese noodle bowl is not spaghetti but vermicelli rice noodles. These noodles, made from ground rice, are found throughout Asia and are used in a number of different cuisines including Thai and Chinese, in addition to Vietnamese. Nutritionally, the vermicelli rice noodle is calorie-dense and high in carbs, but almost fat-free and low in sodium.
Rice Noodles Calories
With 214 calories in a 56-gram— or 2-ounce — serving, vermicelli rice noodles are a high-energy-dense food. Energy density refers to the number of calories a food contains compared to its weight. The vermicelli noodle contains 3.8 calories per gram; compare that to a low-energy-dense food such as broccoli, which has 0.5 calories per gram.
High-energy-dense foods are not as filling as low-energy-dense foods, and if you're not careful you might eat more calories than you intended. Eating the noodles as part of a broth-based soup, such as the Vietnamese pho, can help fill you up so you eat fewer noodles.
Carbs in Rice Noodles
Most of the calories in the vermicelli rice noodles come from carbs. A 2-ounce serving contains 47 grams of carbs. As your primary source of energy, carbs should provide most of your day's calories — 45 to 65 percent.
While the noodles are a good source of carbohydrates, they are not a good source of fiber, a type of carb your body cannot digest. One serving provides only 1 gram. Fiber prevents constipation and may help reduce your risk of obesity, heart disease and certain types of cancer.
Fat and Cholesterol Free
Vermicelli rice noodles contain a negligible amount of fat and no cholesterol. Fat is an essential nutrient your body uses as a source of energy and to absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Most of the fat in your diet should come from unsaturated fats such as olive oil, canola oil and avocados. Fried foods are a source of trans fat, which increases the risk of heart disease. So when ordering your noodles, it's healthier to order them soft instead of fried.
Incomplete Source of Protein
The noodles contain 3 grams of protein per 2-ounce serving. Because the noodles are made from rice, they do not contain all of the essential amino acids, making them an incomplete source of protein. But you can meet your daily protein needs eating other foods throughout the day, even if they are nonmeat sources, such as other grains, beans or vegetables.
Low in Sodium
Getting too much sodium in your diet increases your risk of developing high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association. When trying to limit the sodium in your diet, vermicelli rice noodles make a good choice as long as you combine them with other low-sodium foods. A 2-ounce serving contains 10 milligrams of sodium. Limit your daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams a day.
FAQs
A 2-ounce serving contains 47 grams of carbs. As your primary source of energy, carbs should provide most of your day's calories — 45 to 65 percent. While the noodles are a good source of carbohydrates, they are not a good source of fiber, a type of carb your body cannot digest. One serving provides only 1 gram.
How healthy is rice vermicelli noodles? ›
These vermicelli noodles are a great source of carbohydrates, contain no cholesterol, and have a small, small amount of fat. Ordering vermicelli rice noodles, you're receiving a healthy carb source all-around. Another area where these rice noodles get high marks is in their salt content.
What is the difference between rice noodles and rice vermicelli? ›
Rice noodles are made with rice flour which explains the name (whether its regular rice flour or brown rice flour doesn't matter). Vermicelli is the shape of the noodles or the make of the noodles. While Vermicelli noodles can have varying shapes they can be made of rice flour. Rice noodles can be Vermicelli noodles.
Is vermicelli high in sugar? ›
Having said that, rice vermicelli has a glycemic index of 58, which is medium glycemic index. This means that though vermicelli comes under the category of foods that takes moderate amount of time to be converted into sugars.
Is it OK to eat rice noodles everyday? ›
Rice noodles are naturally low in sodium. While this mineral is an essential nutrient and electrolyte, excess intake may harm your health and increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney disease ( 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ).
What is the healthiest noodle? ›
Rice noodles are often considered one of the healthiest options available. They are naturally gluten-free, low in fat, and easy to digest. P'Nut Asian Kitchen incorporates rice noodles into many of their dishes, including the popular Pad Thai and Wonton Noodle Soup.
Is vermicelli a junk food? ›
Takeaway. Aashirvaad Vermicelli is a nutritious and versatile food item that can be a great addition to a balanced diet. With its low-fat content, sustained energy, and ease of cooking, it's an excellent option for weight loss and overall health.
Can a diabetic eat rice noodles? ›
The low glycemic response to high amylose rice and particularly the rice noodles suggests that these foods may have health benefits to both normal and diabetic individuals.
What kind of noodles can a diabetic eat? ›
The best pasta for diabetics to eat is pasta made from whole grains or wheat. Pasta made from whole grains is less likely to cause spikes in blood sugar, making this kind of pasta ideal for diabetics.
Can we eat vermicelli daily? ›
Apart from carbohydrates, vermicelli is a source of dietary fiber. It is free from cholesterol and fat and a good carbohydrate source to provide energy throughout the day.
Good for digestive system
The high amount of fibre present in vermicelli makes them an ideal meal for breakfast as they are healthy for the digestive system and other stomach related framework. Consuming vermicelli helps in preventing constipation and other digestive issues.
How much vermicelli is one serving? ›
Let's take a closer look at the nutritional composition of vermicelli noodles. In a serving of about 56 grams, you will get around 214 calories, making these noodles an energy-dense food. Vermicelli noodles offer about 3.8 calories per gram.
Is rice vermicelli high in carbs? ›
From a basic nutritional perspective, when you buy vermicelli rice noodles, you are getting a useful calorie hit and an ingredient that is naturally high in carbohydrates. At the same time, these noodles are low in sodium and nearly entirely fat-free.
Is vermicelli a processed food? ›
Vermicelli Noodles are a type of food made from unleavened dough which is rolled flat and cut, stretched or extruded, into long strips or strings. Vermicelli Noodles can be refrigerated for short-term storage or dried and stored for future use.
Is rice noodle healthier than pasta? ›
Not just vitamin-enriched but even plain pasta has a lot more B-complex vitamins like riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, and folate than rice noodles. However, compared to regular pasta, rice noodles do have one advantage. It's their gluten-free composition.
Is vermicelli healthier than egg noodles? ›
Judging by the caloric count alone, we can say that rice noodles are healthier than egg noodles. Generally, rice noodles are lower in calories, protein, and fat than egg noodles. One serving of plain rice noodles (without condiments and other ingredients) contains about 187 calories.
