If you’re prioritising energy content for a savoury breakfast, compare the kcal per 100 g, then consider how much you’ll serve. Of three microwaveable pouches with values listed by Auchan and Carrefour, Ben’s Original plain long-grain rice contains 134 kcal per 100 g, compared with 145 for Taureau Ailé plain rice and 163 for Ben’s Original wholegrain rice. However, taste, ingredients and Nutri-Score may lead you to choose differently.
You’re looking for rice that’s quick to heat and want to compare its energy content per 100 g with the amount you’ll put on your plate. A value given for the whole pouch won’t necessarily answer the same question.
You’d rather choose a quick option than cook rice in a pan. Heating times and methods vary by product. For example, Auchan says Ben’s Original Mediterranean-style rice takes two minutes in the microwave or three minutes in a frying pan.
You prefer wholegrain rice and check the Nutri-Score when it’s shown. This is separate from energy content: Carrefour lists a Nutri-Score A and 163 kcal per 100 g for Ben’s Original 2min Wholegrain Rice.
When choosing cooked rice for breakfast, start with the amount you plan to serve. Then compare products based on how easy they are to prepare and the recipe you fancy.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and portion size | Compare the kcal per 100 g, then consider how much you plan to serve. | For a small savoury breakfast, I want to know what’s on my plate rather than rely on the pouch weight; around 50% of consumers put energy content and portion size first. |
| Preparation | Check the heating method and time given for the product you’re considering. | If I want a hot meal without cooking rice in a pan, a quick-to-prepare format matters more than the recipe; speed is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Rice type and recipe | Read the ingredients list and nutrition information, and check the Nutri-Score if it’s shown. | I might prefer wholegrain rice or a ready-seasoned recipe, even if it doesn’t have the lowest kcal per 100 g; around 20% of consumers choose their recipe first. |
These figures refer to different amounts. Auchan lists 134 kcal per 100 g for Ben’s Original express long-grain rice. The energy content of your serving depends on its weight.
First compare products on a per-100 g basis, then take into account how much you’ll eat.
Carrefour lists a Nutri-Score A and 163 kcal per 100 g for Ben’s Original 2min Wholegrain Rice, while Auchan lists 134 kcal per 100 g for the brand’s plain long-grain rice. The score and energy content are two different things.
If calories are your main priority, compare the per-100 g values directly and use the Nutri-Score as a separate piece of information.
Ingredients and nutrition information vary by recipe. The Ben’s Original Mediterranean-style rice featured by Auchan is a different product from its plain long-grain rice. Just because both are quick to prepare doesn’t mean they’re nutritionally equivalent.
Compare the labels on the exact products you’re considering, especially the ingredients list and kcal per 100 g.
The express rice range includes plain, wholegrain and flavoured options. Compare each product on its own merits.
Riz Nature 2min is another plain express rice option to consider for a savoury breakfast.
E.Leclerc lists a Comptoir du Grain plain express rice, among other products, in a 250 g pack.
This selection includes bowls of cooked rice and flavoured express rice for a savoury breakfast. The pack format and recipe alone won’t tell you which option is right for the portion you want to serve, so compare the labels on the exact products.
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This cooked rice cup could be a good fit if you prefer an individual portion for your savoury breakfast. Check the nutrition information and preparation instructions for this product before deciding how much to serve.
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This pack could be a good fit if you’d like several individual cups of cooked rice. The stated weight is for each cup. Check the nutrition information and heating instructions for this product before choosing your portion.
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If you’re looking for flavoured express rice, compare the energy content of this product with plain rice for the same amount. Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging too; the recipe name alone doesn’t tell you exactly what it contains.
First compare their energy content per 100 g, then consider how much you plan to serve. The DGCCRF explains that nutrition information per 100 g makes it easier to compare products. A value per portion, if shown on the label, answers a different question.
No. Comparing two products isn’t enough to justify this nutrition claim. The DGCCRF notes that permitted claims are governed by Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. When describing your comparison, it’s better to give the per-100 g values for the specific products.
Follow the storage instructions on the pouch you’ve bought. Don’t automatically use the storage time given for another express rice product. Also check whether the instructions apply to a product that has already been heated.
No. Cooked rice is one option for a savoury breakfast, not something you have to eat. Anses highlights the lack of robust studies that would support broad conclusions about links between meal times and health. Choose breakfast to suit your preferences, without assuming it has a particular effect.