Ben's Original Wholegrain Microwave Rice is pre-cooked and packaged, usually with a little added oil and salt, which places it in NOVA group 3. It is a handy shortcut and lighter on additives than instant versions, though still worth checking for salt. It is a source of manganese. Work out the numbers for any portion and age below, then see the full breakdown.
The tables below put each macronutrient against age-appropriate guidance, because what matters for a 4 year old is very different from an adult.
A 220g pouch contains about 1.3g of sugar. In a flavoured instant product this comes from the sauce and flavouring rather than occurring naturally, so it counts as free sugar toward the daily limit the NHS sets. The table shows that limit by age.
Ben's Original Wholegrain Microwave Rice is naturally high in fat, at about 5.72g per portion, though most of it is unsaturated. Only around 0.66g is saturated and there is 0g of added fat.
Because ben's original wholegrain microwave rice is salted, a portion carries about 0.88g of salt. Children have lower daily salt limits than adults, so it is worth checking against the guidance below.
Fibre supports healthy digestion, and most people in the UK do not get enough. A portion provides about 5.5g. Because children need less fibre than adults, that same portion covers a bigger share of a younger child's target.
There is about 59.4g of carbohydrate per portion. There is no single daily target, but roughly half of daily energy should come from carbohydrate; the reference values below are based on that.
Starchy foods also add protein to the day, about 7.0g per portion. Wholegrain versions and wheat pasta give a little more than white rice. The table shows how that compares with the daily amount by age.
Percentages are share of the daily Nutrient Reference Value (NRV). Under UK and EU rules a food is a source of a nutrient at 15% NRV per 100g and high in it at 30%.
These tables show how the nutrients compare to daily needs across different ages, using UK Reference Nutrient Intakes (RNIs). This differs from the source of and high in labels above, which use the single adult figure (NRV) set for food packaging. Children's needs are lower, so a portion goes further.
Manganese contributes to normal bone formation and helps protect cells from oxidative stress. A 220g pouch contains 2.2mg. Because children need less than adults, that same portion covers a bigger share of a younger child's daily target. These figures use safe intake levels, as no formal UK RNI is set.
Selenium helps protect cells from damage and supports the immune system. A 220g pouch contains 18ug. Because children need less than adults, that same portion covers a bigger share of a younger child's daily target.
Magnesium supports muscle and nerve function and helps release energy from food. A 220g pouch contains 88mg. Because children need less than adults, that same portion covers a bigger share of a younger child's daily target.
Partly. The rice or pasta itself is a whole food, but pre-cooking it in a pouch with a little oil and salt moves it into NOVA group 3. It is far less processed than instant, flavoured versions, and a handy shortcut.
Nutrition data from McCance and Widdowson and UK FoodData Central, per 100g raw edible portion; values are reference figures and can vary by variety and ripeness. Reference intakes: EU NRVs for labelling and UK RNIs (SACN) for age-based needs. For guidance only.