Holidaymakers keeping an eye on portion sizes
You want to compare recipes without confusing the kcal per 100 g with the kcal in the amount you’ll actually serve. The pouch weight matters just as much as the figure given per 100 g.
Who is this choice for?
Renters with limited kitchen equipment
Before stocking up, check whether you can reheat your chosen rice using the appliances and utensils in your accommodation: a microwave, frying pan or saucepan.
Holidaymakers looking for a ready-made recipe
You’re looking for something other than plain rice to serve alongside a meal: vegetables, seasoning or wholegrain rice may influence your choice. If so, compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific recipe.
What should you look for?
Work out how much you’ll eat, check how you’ll be able to reheat the rice, then look at the ingredients if you’re choosing between plain rice and a pre-seasoned recipe.
| Criterion | What to check | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Amount you’ll eat | The kcal per 100 g, the pouch weight and the amount you’ll serve. | If I want a small portion, the figure per 100 g doesn’t tell me what’s in the whole pouch. Around 50% of consumers would put the amount they actually eat first. |
| Reheating | The preparation methods and times on the packaging, as well as the equipment in your accommodation. | If my rental doesn’t have a microwave, I need to be able to use the utensils provided. Reheating options would be the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | The type of rice, ingredients, salt and allergen information for the specific recipe. | If I’m swapping plain rice for a pre-seasoned recipe, I want to know what’s in it. Around 20% of consumers would make ingredients their main criterion. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Comparing only the kcal per 100 g
The pack size changes the total if you eat the whole pouch. Based on the figures shown by Auchan for Ben’s Original long grain rice, 134 kcal per 100 g works out at around 295 kcal for 220 g. E.Leclerc lists 143 kcal per 100 g for Comptoir du Grain, which works out at around 358 kcal for 250 g.
Compare the figures per 100 g across products, then work out how they relate to the amount you plan to serve.
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Assuming a vegetable recipe is lower in calories
Auchan’s product information lists 157 kcal per 100 g for Ben’s Original sun-kissed vegetables, compared with 134 kcal per 100 g for the same brand’s plain long grain rice. So the presence of vegetables alone isn’t enough to tell these two products apart on this measure.
Check the nutritional information and ingredients list for the variety you’re buying, rather than applying the comparison to all vegetable recipes.
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Stocking up without checking the kitchen
Preparation methods vary from one pouch to another. Auchan’s product information says that Ben’s Original plain and sun-kissed vegetables varieties can be heated in a frying pan, while Céréal Bio’s Mediterranean rice is heated in a water bath.
Check what appliances and utensils are available in your rental, then read the instructions for each product before buying several.
Brands to know
Ben’s Original
The French range includes express plain, wholegrain and flavoured rice. Some varieties can be prepared in a microwave or frying pan.
- Auchan’s product information for the plain long grain and sun-kissed vegetables pouches gives preparation times of 2 minutes in the microwave or 3 minutes in a frying pan, respectively.
- Energy values vary by recipe, so compare specific varieties rather than just looking at the brand.
Comptoir du Grain
This supermarket own brand offers, among other products, a 250 g pouch of express plain rice. It’s worth considering if you’re looking for an unseasoned base.
- E.Leclerc’s product information lists 143 kcal per 100 g and gives this product a Nutri-Score A.
- Check availability with your local store or the relevant Drive service. The 250 g pack size should also be factored into your portion comparison.
Céréal Bio
The brand offers cooked rice recipes, including varieties made with wholegrain Camargue rice, for anyone who’d prefer a pre-seasoned meal to plain rice.
- Auchan’s product information for the Mediterranean rice recommends heating it in a water bath for 10 minutes.
- To compare the calories in this recipe or check its allergen information, refer to the packaging of the product you buy.
Plain cooked rice available on Joybuy
These cups contain plain cooked rice in 210 g portions, making them a potential base for a meal in your rental. Unlike the seasoned recipes mentioned above, they won’t provide a vegetable recipe on their own. Check how they can be reheated before choosing them for your accommodation.
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Ottogi Cooked Rice, 3 × 210 g
This pack may suit you if you want to have several separate portions of plain cooked rice. Each cup contains 210 g. Check how much you plan to eat and the reheating instructions for the product.
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OTOKI Cooked Rice Cup, 210 g
This single-serving cup may suit you if you’re looking for one portion of plain cooked rice. It contains 210 g. Check the nutritional information and reheating instructions before deciding whether you’ll eat the whole cup.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare two pouches of different weights?
Compare their kcal per 100 g, then work out the kcal in the amount you’ll eat. Based on the figures shown by Auchan and E.Leclerc, a whole 220 g pouch of Ben’s Original long grain rice contains around 295 kcal, compared with around 358 kcal for 250 g of Comptoir du Grain plain rice. The pouch weight changes the comparison.
Is a whole pouch suitable for a small snack?
Not necessarily. It depends on the recipe, the pouch weight and how much you want to eat. Check the kcal for your portion rather than relying on the phrase ‘one portion’ or the pack size to decide for you.
Which rice should I choose if my rental doesn’t have a microwave?
Choose a product with preparation instructions that suit the utensils available. Auchan’s product information says that Ben’s Original plain long grain and sun-kissed vegetables pouches take 3 minutes in a frying pan; its information for Céréal Bio Mediterranean rice recommends 10 minutes in a water bath.
What should I do with an opened pouch?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you’ve bought, particularly once it’s been opened. Anses warns that improper storage and breaks in the cold chain encourage bacteria to grow, so don’t assume an opened pouch can be stored in the same way as a sealed one.
What should I check if the ingredients matter to me?
Read the ingredients list, nutritional information and allergen information for the specific recipe. The DGCCRF notes that food labelling provides details including the product name, ingredients list and nutrition declaration. The name of a recipe doesn’t replace this information.