Question:
Does eating rice with beans count as a protein?

I heard that rice combined with beans makes a complete protein.... Is that true?    — Patricia R. (posted on January 20, 2007)

January 19, 2007
It has always been expressed to me to stay away from rice, potatoes, pasta and bread (anything white). So I am interested in seeing other responses on this. I love both rice and beans. I eat alot of beans now in my chili. But haven't had rice since my surgery. But I am only 6 months post op.
   — ccstann

January 20, 2007
I ahve also stayed clear of white floured things white rice, white pasta & white bread, I do eat all the above in wheat or whole grain, but onbly in small amounts,,, I am 5 months post op & just feel very sticky when i eat them,,,So i only use them in moderation,,,1/4 english muffin or bread, maybe 2 table spoons of pasta or rice at a time. I do mush up pasta & make it into a paste for my soups,So i am eating some starch but not a full pasta..& i only eat them maybe every 2-4 days or maybve even less than that,the beans are rgeat I eat beans as a grat big part of my protein....I put unsalted nuts & beans in everything.. best of luck Barbara
   — babs810

January 20, 2007
At a support group meeting I went to there was a dietitian there talking and she said rice and beans together are a complete protein. Hope that helps. My family eats a lot of this.
   — tchandler

January 21, 2007
I am two years post op. I have no idea about the combined rice and bean thing . I eat some white rice and potatos I dont eat white bread though . I have no idea how much protein anyone would get from rice . I can only take a couple bites of rice or potatos and Im full . Maybe 2 table spoons . I have lost 200lbs and still drop a couple pounds a month . I didnt even try eating rice ,potatos or bread untill I was several months post op . and most breads still get stuck . ~ Alena~
   — LongBeachDiva

January 21, 2007
I don't know if it's true or not, but I also have been told to avoid the "white foods." Especially rice as it swells further in your pouch and can become VERY uncomfortable.
   — nicolerod

January 21, 2007
Just beans would be better - rice is a carb.
   — Novashannon

January 21, 2007
Hello Patricia. Rice does complete beans to be a protein. Bean along with another carb/bread type item make the protein complete. In addressing some of the people who are staying away from "white" items let me say this. I am almost 3 years out and decided right from the beginning that I wanted to live in moderation and that is what I do. To avoid clumping in my pouch I take a bite of something like rice with the next bite to be vegetables or protein or beans. Eat very slowly, because this stuff swells in your pouch, especially if you sip a liquid somewhere along the way. Remember that less is more when it comes to this type of stuff, but I don't avoid it at all, but enjoy small portions with delight and celebration that I can in small amounts. Obesity is a head issue with a body consequence and I work on the head issues so that I can enjoy the body consequence that I like (I have lost 120 pounds and went well past my hopeful weight loss, and am a size 4/6). I wish you well and hope that you are successful in your pursuit of weight loss. Take care. Patricia P
   — Patricia P

January 22, 2007
Being a complete protein and being able to absorb it are two different things entirely. We do not "digest", as such, then food needs to be routed past the duodenum for maximum absorption. That said, beans & rice are pretty low on the bioavailability list, which I'll copy here. It just means the ability for a NORMAL body to absorb various proteins. And our ability is somewhat compromised, but this list speaks to foods, so you can see in what order they appear. whey blended products 100-159 whey 104 egg 100 cow's milk 91 egg white 88 beef 80 fish 79 (83 on another chart) chicken 77 casein 77 soy 74 potato 71 rice 59 wheat 54 beans 49 peanuts 43
   — vitalady