1. Bell Ringer Do you think rice is a healthy food choice? Why or why not?

2. Benefits of

3. Top 10 Benefits of Rice: 1. Global—Rice is popular and an essential ingredient in both traditional American and ethnic cuisines for today’s menus— Cajun/Creole, Southwest, Mexican, Italian, Thai, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Middle Eastern and more.

4. Top 10 Benefits of Rice: 2. Versatile—Rice’s versatility lends itself to dishes for every part of the day—breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. Rice provides a wide selection of different types to choose from, suited to any dish being offered.

5. Top 10 Benefits of Rice: 3. Flavor Carrier—Rice’s mild, neutral flavor and satisfying texture provide an ideal carrier for ingredients and seasonings.

6. Top 10 Benefits of Rice: 4. Nutritious—Rice is nutritious and helps provide healthy meals customers seek. Rice combines well with other healthy foods.

8. Top 10 Benefits of Rice: 5. Low Cost—Rice is a low-cost ingredient that provides great plate coverage. At less than 10 cents per serving! Rice also revitalizes leftovers!

9. Top 10 Benefits of Rice: 6. Easy to Prepare—Rice can be prepared quickly and effectively.

10. Top 10 Benefits of Rice: 7. Non-Perishable—Dry rice stores well without requiring valuable refrigeration or freezer space.

11. Top 10 Benefits of Rice: 8. Travels Well—Cooked rice holds well, travels well and reheats perfectly, making it ideal for take-out items.

12. Top 10 Benefits of Rice: 9. Multiple Types—Rice comes in multiple forms.

13. Multiple Types of Rice Precooked (Instant) Rice —Precooked rice has been completely cooked and dried or dehydrated. As a result, precooked rice only requires rehydration or brief cooking before serving.

14. Multiple Types of Rice Ready-to-Serve—Fully cooked rice that is packaged in pouches or cup containers and is ready to eat after brief heating.

15. Multiple Types of Rice Seasoned Rice Mixes—Regular milled, parboiled or precooked rice containing pre- measured seasonings for ease of preparing a variety of flavored finished products.

16. Top 10 Benefits of Rice: 10. Convenient—Rice is available in blends and seasoned mixes. Rice sold with pre-seasoning packets offer convenience and consistency to the operator.

17. Here’s what makes rice naturally nutritious: Is sodium- and cholesterol-free. Has only a trace of fat, no cholesterol-raising trans fats or saturated fat. Is gluten-free and the least allergenic of all grains. Is nutrient dense and contributes over 15 vitamins and minerals, including folic acid and other B-vitamins, iron and zinc. Has approximately 100 calories per half-cup serving. Is comprised of complex carbohydrates that are more slowly digested. Triggers the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain that helps regulate and improve mood. Is an energy food, supplying carbohydrates that fuel the body’s physical activity.

18. Closure! What are the benefits of rice? Did you learn something new about rice?

19. Top 10 Benefits of Rice: 1. __________________—Rice is popular and an essential ingredient in both traditional American and ethnic cuisines for today’s menus— Cajun/Creole, ______, Mexican, ______, Thai, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, _______, Middle Eastern and more.

20. Top 10 Benefits of Rice: 2. _________________—Rice’s versatility lends itself to dishes for every part of the day— breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. Rice provides a wide selection of different types to choose from, suited to any dish being offered.

21. Top 10 Benefits of Rice: 3. _______________________ —Rice’s mild, neutral flavor and satisfying texture provide an ideal carrier for ingredients and seasonings.

22. Top 10 Benefits of Rice: 4. ______________— Rice is nutritious and helps provide healthy meals customers seek. Rice combines well with other healthy foods.

24. Top 10 Benefits of Rice: 5. _______________ —Rice is a low-cost ingredient that provides great plate coverage. At less than ___________ per serving! Rice also revitalizes leftovers!

25. Top 10 Benefits of Rice: 6. _____________________ —Rice can be prepared quickly and effectively.

26. Top 10 Benefits of Rice: 7. ______________________ —Dry rice stores well without requiring valuable refrigeration or freezer space.

27. Top 10 Benefits of Rice: 8. ______________________ —Cooked rice holds well, travels well and reheats perfectly, making it ideal for take-out items.

28. Top 10 Benefits of Rice: 9. ________________________ —Rice comes in multiple forms.

29. Multiple Types of Rice ___________________________ — Precooked rice has been completely cooked and dried or dehydrated. As a result, precooked rice only requires rehydration or brief cooking before serving.

30. Multiple Types of Rice _________________________ —Fully cooked rice that is packaged in pouches or cup containers and is ready to eat after brief heating.

31. Multiple Types of Rice ________________________ —Regular milled, parboiled or precooked rice containing pre-measured seasonings for ease of preparing a variety of flavored finished products.

32. Top 10 Benefits of Rice: 10. __________________ —Rice is available in blends and seasoned mixes. Rice sold with pre-seasoning packets offer convenience and consistency to the operator.

33. Here’s what makes rice naturally nutritious: Is sodium- and cholesterol-free. Has only a trace of fat, no cholesterol-raising trans fats or saturated fat. Is gluten-free and the least allergenic of all grains. Is nutrient dense and contributes over 15 vitamins and minerals, including folic acid and other B-vitamins, iron and zinc. Has approximately 100 calories per half-cup serving. Is comprised of complex carbohydrates that are more slowly digested. Triggers the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain that helps regulate and improve mood. Is an energy food, supplying carbohydrates that fuel the body’s physical activity.