Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Anyone rice anything besides Cauliflower? I'm wondering if broccoli or cabbage might work. A non-cruciferous option would be nice. Bonus points for finding a way to do it with leafy greens :)

edited Dec 13 2011 at 19:08

Sara S.
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asked Dec 12 2011 at 3:29

balor123
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My edits were just to add tags. – Sara S. Dec 13 2011 at 19:09

jess6 · Accepted Answer · 2011-12-13 03:50:56Z UTC

I've tried it with broccoli (actually, a mix of broccoli and cauliflower). IMO, it's too strongly flavored to serve the same role, though I suppose it would work well enough in a dish with complementary flavors. One of the benefits of cauliflower is that it is relatively bland.

Maybe finely chopped parsnips? Turnips sometimes work for me, and sometimes are too strongly flavored.

Travis Isaacs · Answer 2 · 2011-12-12 03:47:20Z UTC

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Whether or not rice should be included in a paleo/primal diet is a hot topic around here. I personally find it to be a benign source of starch and eat it on occasion (I'm LC most of the time).

Unless your deliberately trying to avoid rice, I say eat it once in a while.

answered Dec 12 2011 at 3:47

Travis Isaacs
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I do but only white rice and only when I'm cheating. At home, I try to use substitutes. Plus, as I discovered today, my 2.5yo loves rice-like things and went crazy for Cauli rice today. I can't reason with her to get her to eat it whole so I'm looking for ways to incorporate other things into her diet now :) Not to mention I want variety for myself. – balor123 Dec 12 2011 at 4:16

Dave S. · Answer 3 · 2011-12-12 10:13:49Z UTC

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Can't say that I have tried anything other than cauliflower.

Broccoli should work, but then you would have green rice. Maybe some green eggs and ham would go nicely with that.

I'm thinking a turnip might work.

answered Dec 12 2011 at 10:13

Dave S.
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Beth-WeightMaven · Answer 4 · 2011-12-12 13:21:20Z UTC

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This question makes me a little grumpy (or perhaps it's the hour of the morning). If your version of paleo is orthodox and you omit white rice, I wonder why it's necessary to find substitutes for it. Hello candy cigarettes?

As far as ricing things, I suspect that you won't have any luck with leafy greens. But if you eat tubers, you might consider using either tapioca or sago pearls as a rice substitute. There are very interesting looking savory recipes using these, such as this Sabudana Khichadi that I've been meaning to try.

answered Dec 12 2011 at 13:21

Beth-WeightMaven
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I downvoted this answer because I don't think this is a candy cigarette situation (though it was good to provide the link). From balor's comment below, he and his daughter like the format (size, shape, texture, whatever) of riced things. I think different food textures are fun, and I think it's a good use of paleohacks to ask how other people hack their food (pun intended) into different shapes. It's so easy to think of foods only in the shapes and formats we normally see them, so it can be difficult to consider them in a new light. – Sara S. Dec 13 2011 at 1:19

Sigh. Well, everyone's entitled to their opinion, and I can handle the minus 2 points (you're not the only one to downvote). But it's not exactly like other PHers stepped up with lots of alternatives, eh? Looks like if you want rice, you're pretty much stuck with rice or cauliflower. – Beth-WeightMaven Dec 13 2011 at 2:07

Good point about not a lot of alternative answers: you inspired me to take my best shot at an answer. ... By the way, I don't think your comment was bad, just not helpful, and that seems to be the metric we're supposed to go by? It looks like others found it helpful, though. – Sara S. Dec 13 2011 at 3:18

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Hmm, that's a good point, I take back my downvote. I tried to undo it downvote but it wouldn't let me change it. It might let me if you were to edit, though. – Sara S. Dec 13 2011 at 19:06

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Hey Sara S. I got your back :) – Krisha C. Dec 13 2011 at 19:13

show 2 more comments

Tom R. · Answer 5 · 2011-12-12 14:21:49Z UTC

I read this question as being one looking for a nice complimentary side to main courses as opposed to looking for substitue for a side dish balor gets jollies from. Tired of rice? I say any dish that can be put with riced cauliflower can also be paired with the traditional "noodle" subs (i.e. spaghetti squash, zucchini, etc).

Sara S. · Answer 6 · 2011-12-13 03:09:24Z UTC

I've shredded jicama to make hashbrowns, and thought it would make better "rice". You could also rice sweet potatoes, turnips, rutabagas, winter squash, and radishes.

I still can't wrap my head around how you'd rice/shred greens. I think of greens, especially collards, as a vehicle for rice or riced veggies, not riced itself. Maybe you could try shredding some collard greens and getting back to us on how well it worked.

Oh, you could also try finely chopped onions. They'd have about the right texture if you don't go so far as to caramelize them, but cook them low and slow.

Bill1102inf · Answer 7 · 2011-12-13 04:16:39Z UTC

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Unless you performed an anaerobic bout of weight lifting consuming starchy carbs has no purpose whatsoever with regards to paleo.

answered Dec 13 2011 at 4:16

Bill1102inf
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Simon · Answer 8 · 2013-04-21 22:17:40Z UTC

I am a competitive martial artist and trying to find a alternative to rice and maintaining the energy levels required. I have been using broccoli in abundance however brown rice now and again is good. Taking the principles in paleo and adapting it slightly seems to work great. Before finding this I simply ate too much rice and bloated out and put in some bodyfat. If there are any other athletes using paleo it would be quite interesting to see how you get by.

Alternative rice options?

8 Answers