Real Food Rice provides athletes and bodybuilders with a healthy source of carbohydrates derived from real foods in Rice Bran, TapiOK® (a trademarked non-GMO, hypoallergenic form of maltodextrin), and Oats. This combination provides you with a slow, steady source of carbohydrates which helps with optimal blood sugar management which in turn promotes a healthier, fitter physique. With a taste reminiscent of cocoa based cereals, Real Food Rice will be a firm fan for those seeking to build muscle and strength.
Rich Piana’s 5% Nutrition has earned for itself a reputation as a brand that pushes boundaries and their latest product, Real Food Rice definitely brings something unique to the sports nutrition space.
Should you Fear Carbs?
Carbohydrates get a bad rap in our view with many people limiting their consumption or even eliminating them entirely in the belief that carbohydrates are a demonic macronutrient that makes them fat and sluggish. While it is the case that for a small minority of people it may be best to limit carbohydrate intake the fact remains that studies which match calorie intake tend to show no difference in fat loss between groups consuming a high carb diet versus a low carb diet.
What About Performance and Muscle Gain?
While there may be justification for lowering carbs when dieting there is no justification for lowering them when bulking or seeking to maximise performance.
As the body’s preferred fuel source, Carbohydrates are much easier for your muscles to work with to enable you to reach your fitness goals faster. Whether you are trying to get stronger, faster, more muscular or even attain greater endurance, carbohydrates are a much more efficient fuel source and lets you reach your goals more quickly.
Introducing Real Food Rice
Rich Piana has long since espoused the virtues of a healthy dose of carbohydrates to attain the fastest mass gains possible but to choose real food sources rather than the sugars often found in many weight gainers. To this end, Real Food Rice sticks to only low GI carbs in Rice Bran, TapiOK® and Oats.
Rice Bran is the outermost layer of rice found on brown rice and is loaded with micronutrients which makes this quite distinct from the usual choice of white rice preferred by many bodybuilders. Rice Bran is great for overall health with it being used to manage blood glucose and helping to lower cholesterol. From a bodybuilding perspective, by keeping blood sugar and insulin levels under control it is optimal from both a physique and health standpoint.
TapiOK® is a form of maltodextrin derived from tapioca starch. While maltodextrin is technically a complex carbohydrate we should not forget it is just two sugar molecules bonded together. The advantage of TapiOK® is that it is less processed, and non-GMO so from a health standpoint a better choice than traditional maltodextrin. By including it in Real Food Rice, 5% Nutrition have taken care of the need to deliver both a nice tasting drink as well as help accelerate glycogen replenishment.
Oats are of course a staple for athletes seeking sustained energy over a long period of time. Being high in fibre and minerals its presence in Real Food Rice balances off the product with yet another healthy carb from a real food source.
