Quick Answer
Chocolate rice cakes can be a good option for weight loss when eaten in moderation as part of a balanced, calorie-controlled diet. Rice cakes are low in calories but provide little nutrition. Pairing them with protein sources, healthy fats, and fiber is important. Dark chocolate rice cakes are preferable to milk chocolate for weight loss due to the lower sugar content. Portion control is key.
Are Rice Cakes Good for Weight Loss?
Rice cakes, including chocolate flavored ones, can be a useful food for weight loss diets for several reasons:
- Low in calories – Plain rice cakes contain around 35 calories per cake. Flavored rice cakes range from 45-60 calories. This is significantly lower than many other crunchy, carb-based snacks.
- Low in fat – Most rice cakes contain 0-1 grams of fat per cake, making them a fat-free food.
- Gluten-free – Rice cakes do not contain any gluten, making them suitable for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
- Provide satiety – The crunchy texture and neutral flavor of rice cakes can help provide feelings of fullness and satisfaction while delivering minimal calories.
However, rice cakes have some downsides for weight loss:
- Low in nutrients – Rice cakes supply very little in the way of vitamins, minerals, protein or fiber. Eating them alone doesn’t provide much nutritional value.
- High glycemic index – Simple carbs like rice cakes cause a rapid spike in blood sugar. This can stimulate hunger and lead to overeating.
- Easy to overeat – The light, crispy texture makes rice cakes easy to consume in large quantities, which can unintentionally increase calorie intake.
Overall, rice cakes are a convenient low-calorie snack option, but they should be paired with other nutritious foods and eaten in moderation to promote weight loss.
Are Chocolate Rice Cakes Good for Weight Loss?
Chocolate rice cakes can be incorporated into a weight loss eating pattern, but there are a few important considerations:
- Sugar content – Milk chocolate rice cakes typically contain significantly more added sugar than plain or dark chocolate rice cakes. The sugar adds extra calories and can cause blood sugar spikes.
- Portion size – 1-2 small chocolate rice cakes (30-60 calories) is a reasonable serving. Larger portion sizes quickly increase calorie intake.
- Nutrition – Focus on getting protein, healthy fats, and fiber from other foods at the same time as eating chocolate rice cakes to balance out the carbs.
- Dark chocolate – Opt for dark chocolate coated rice cakes rather than milk chocolate. Dark chocolate has less sugar and more antioxidants from the higher cocoa content.
As long as chocolate rice cakes are consumed in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet, they can be included as an occasional light sweet treat for weight management. But they should not be treated as a nutritious food in themselves.
Nutrition Facts for Chocolate Rice Cakes
Here is the nutrition information for two popular brands of chocolate rice cakes, Quaker and Lundberg:
Quaker Chocolate Rice Cakes
| Serving Size | 2 cakes (13g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 60 |
| Carbohydrates | 13g |
| Sugar | 4g |
| Protein | 1g |
| Fat | 1g |
| Fiber | 0g |
Lundberg Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes
| Serving Size | 1 cake (17g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 70 |
| Carbohydrates | 15g |
| Sugar | 7g |
| Protein | 1g |
| Fat | 1.5g |
| Fiber | 0g |
As you can see, chocolate rice cakes provide carbohydrates and sugar, but minimal protein, fat or fiber. Consuming large amounts could lead to blood sugar spikes. Pairing chocolate rice cakes with a source of protein and healthy fats helps slow digestion and prolong satiety.
Healthy Ways to Eat Chocolate Rice Cakes for Weight Loss
Here are some examples of balanced snacks or mini-meals featuring chocolate rice cakes:
- Chocolate rice cake with peanut butter – Top rice cake with 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter for protein and healthy fats.
- Chocolate rice cake with banana – Top rice cake with 1⁄2 sliced banana for fiber and potassium.
- Chocolate rice cake with almond butter and berries – Spread almond butter on cake and top with 1⁄4 cup mixed berries.
- Chocolate rice cake sandwich – Place turkey breast slices and spinach leaves between two rice cakes.
- Chocolate rice cake with cheese – Melt 1 tablespoon low-fat mozzarella on cake.
- Chocolate rice cake with ricotta and nuts – Top with 2 tablespoons part-skim ricotta cheese and 1 teaspoon chopped walnuts.
Pairing the rice cakes with nutritious mix-ins helps slow carb absorption while providing satiating protein, fiber and healthy fats to help manage hunger levels between meals.
Chocolate Rice Cake Recipes for Weight Loss
Here are some more substantial chocolate rice cake recipes that make nutritious mini-meals to aid weight loss:
Dark Chocolate Rice Cake Bruschetta
Ingredients:
- 2 dark chocolate rice cakes
- 2 tablespoons part-skim ricotta cheese
- 4 cherry tomatoes, diced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- Dash of salt and pepper
Directions:
- Toast rice cakes until lightly browned.
- Mix ricotta with tomatoes, basil, olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.
- Top each rice cake with half of ricotta mixture.
This makes a fiber-rich, savory snack with about 150 calories.
Chocolate Rice Cake with Avocado Smash
Ingredients:
- 1 chocolate rice cake
- 1⁄4 ripe avocado
- 1⁄4 cup cherry tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tablespoon crumbled feta cheese
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Dash of salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Mash avocado with lemon juice in a small bowl.
- Stir in tomatoes, feta, salt and pepper.
- Spread mixture over rice cake.
This savory snack provides healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants for around 130 calories.
Mexican Chocolate Rice Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 chocolate rice cake
- 1 tablespoon black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 tablespoon fresh corn kernels
- 1 tablespoon shredded low-fat Mexican blend cheese
- 1 tablespoon salsa
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
Directions:
- Toast rice cake until lightly crispy.
- Top with beans, corn, cheese and salsa.
- Drizzle with yogurt.
This savory chocolate rice cake provides about 160 calories along with protein, fiber and a vitamin boost.
Healthy Store-Bought Chocolate Rice Cakes
When shopping for chocolate rice cakes, look for options that are:
- Low in sugar – Ideal less than 5g per serving. Avoid heavily coated milk chocolate rice cakes.
- High in fiber – Some brands offer chocolate coated fiber-enriched rice cakes for more staying power.
- Dark chocolate – Dark chocolate coatings provide more antioxidant benefits than milk chocolate.
- Whole grain – Made with 100% whole brown rice instead of white rice.
- Real ingredients – Avoid artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners.
Some healthy store-bought chocolate rice cake options include:
- Lundberg Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes
- Quaker Lightly Sweetened Chocolate Rice Cakes
- Ka-Me Chocolate Sesame Rice Cakes
- San Carlo Cioccolato Rice Cakes
- Rooney’s Rice Cakes Lightly Covered in Dark Chocolate
Check labels and aim to keep chocolate rice cake portions small to make them work for weight management goals.
Are Chocolate Rice Cakes Good for Weight Loss?
In summary, chocolate rice cakes can be incorporated into a weight loss diet in moderation, but they should not be relied on as a nutritious food. To make chocolate rice cakes effective for weight management:
- Stick to 1-2 small cakes as a portion.
- Choose dark chocolate coating over milk chocolate.
- Pair with protein, healthy fats and fiber for satiety.
- Eat as part of a balanced, calorie-controlled diet.
- Avoid eating plain rice cakes in large quantities.
Chocolate rice cakes can provide a sweet treat with minimal calories. But getting proper nutrition from other whole foods at the same time is crucial for sustainable, healthy weight loss. Moderation and portion control is key.
Conclusion
Chocolate rice cakes can be incorporated into a weight loss diet plan when eaten mindfully and in moderation. Opt for healthy versions with wholesome ingredients and dark chocolate coating. Keep portions small, about 1-2 cakes, and be sure to get nutrition from other foods at the same time. Protein, fiber and healthy fats help create staying power. With a balanced approach, chocolate rice cakes can provide sweet satisfaction without derailing your weight management goals.
