Arborio Rice vs White Rice: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Both Arborio rice and white rice contain 130 calories per 100 g. Arborio rice has 2.4 g of protein, while white rice has 2.7 g.

Arborio rice and white rice are staple grains with distinct culinary uses. This comparison highlights their nutritional profiles to help you make informed dietary choices.

What Is the Difference Between Arborio Rice and White Rice?

Arborio rice is a short-grain rice known for its high starch content, making it ideal for creamy dishes like risotto. It has a firm texture that absorbs flavors well. White rice is a refined grain that has had its husk, bran, and germ removed, resulting in a softer texture and quicker cooking time. It is a common side dish in many cuisines.

Arborio Rice vs White Rice: Nutrition Side by Side

The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of Arborio rice and white rice.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Arborio rice (cooked)	White rice (cooked)
Calories	130 kcal	130 kcal
Protein	2.4 g	2.7 g
Carbs	28.5 g	28.2 g
Sugar	0 g	0.1 g
Fat	0.2 g	0.3 g
Fiber	0.4 g	0.4 g
Sodium	1 mg	1 mg

Which Is Better, Arborio Rice or White Rice?

For weight loss: Both Arborio rice and white rice contain the same calorie count of 130 per 100 g, making them equal in this regard.

For muscle and protein: White rice has a higher protein content at 2.7 g compared to Arborio rice's 2.4 g per 100 g.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Arborio rice has 28.5 g of carbs and 0 g of sugar, while white rice has 28.2 g of carbs and 0.1 g of sugar.

How to Track Arborio rice and White rice Accurately

Portion sizes and macronutrient content can be easily misjudged, impacting dietary choices. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use only and should not be considered medical advice. Values are per 100 g: Arborio rice from Open Food Facts (aggregated plain entries), White rice from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which rice has more protein?

White rice has 2.7 g of protein, while Arborio rice has 2.4 g per 100 g.

Which rice has fewer calories?

Both Arborio rice and white rice have 130 calories per 100 g.

What is the carbohydrate content in Arborio rice?

Arborio rice contains 28.5 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

How much sugar is in white rice?

White rice contains 0.1 g of sugar per 100 g.

What is the fat content in Arborio rice?

Arborio rice has 0.2 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the fiber content in both types of rice?

Both Arborio rice and white rice contain 0.4 g of fiber per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Both Arborio rice and white rice have 130 calories per 100 g.
• White rice contains 2.7 g of protein, while Arborio rice has 2.4 g.
• Arborio rice has 28.5 g of carbohydrates, white rice has 28.2 g.
• Arborio rice has 0 g of sugar, while white rice has 0.1 g.
• Arborio rice contains 0.2 g of fat, and white rice contains 0.3 g.
• Both types of rice have 0.4 g of fiber and 1 mg of sodium.