How Many Calories Are in Rice on Myfitnesspal? A Comprehensive Guide

January 5, 2026 •

4 min read

According to MyFitnessPal data, users who consistently log their food are significantly more likely to achieve their weight loss goals. When it comes to a staple like rice, accurately tracking calories can be confusing, especially concerning how cooking affects its nutritional profile.

Quick Summary

Clarifying how to accurately track rice calories on MyFitnessPal, this guide details the significant difference between cooked and uncooked rice entries, explains the importance of weighing for precision, and compares the caloric and nutritional content of various rice types.

Key Points

Cooked vs. Uncooked: Calorie counts for rice differ significantly based on whether it is cooked or uncooked due to water absorption.
Weigh for Accuracy: Use a kitchen scale to weigh your rice for the most consistent and accurate calorie logging, ideally before cooking.
Use Verified Entries: In MyFitnessPal, prioritize entries with a green checkmark or 'Best Match' status to ensure data is reliable and not user-generated.
Compare Rice Types: Understand that different rice varieties like white, brown, and basmati have varying calorie counts and nutritional benefits per serving.
Consider Cooking Method: Be mindful that adding oil or other ingredients during cooking will increase the overall calorie count of your rice portion.
Be Consistent: Whether you choose to measure cooked or uncooked, stick to one method for consistency in your tracking.

The Crucial Difference: Cooked vs. Uncooked

The most common mistake users make when tracking rice on MyFitnessPal is using the wrong state—cooked or uncooked—for their measurements. The caloric density of rice changes drastically once it's cooked because it absorbs water, which has zero calories but increases the total weight and volume. This means 100 grams of cooked rice contains far fewer calories than 100 grams of uncooked rice. For instance, 100 grams of uncooked white rice can have around 365 calories, while 100 grams of cooked white rice might only contain about 130 calories.

Weighing Your Rice for Maximum Accuracy

For the most precise calorie tracking, it is best to weigh your food using a digital kitchen scale. Volumetric measurements, like cups, can be highly inconsistent due to variations in how densely the rice is packed. Here's how to weigh your rice correctly:

Method 1: Measure uncooked. Weigh the rice in its dry, uncooked state. This is often the most accurate method because the nutritional information on most packaging is based on the dry product. You can then divide the total calories by the number of servings you've made to get the calorie count for your portion. For example, if you cook 100 grams of dry rice (365 calories) and divide it into two equal servings, each serving is 182.5 calories.
Method 2: Measure cooked. If you find it more convenient to weigh the cooked portion, ensure you search for a 'cooked' entry on MyFitnessPal. However, be aware that the water absorption can vary, so weighing the dry rice is generally more reliable. For consistency, stick to the same method every time.

Finding the Right Entry on MyFitnessPal

When you search for rice on MyFitnessPal, you will find a wide variety of entries, many of which are user-submitted and may be inaccurate. To ensure you are logging the correct information, follow these tips:

Prioritize Verified Entries: Look for entries with a green checkmark next to them. These are verified by the MyFitnessPal team and are generally the most accurate.
Specify Your Search: Include keywords like 'cooked' or 'uncooked' in your search. For example, 'white rice cooked' or 'brown rice uncooked' will yield more specific results.
Create a Custom Recipe: If you cook a large batch, you can create your own recipe entry. Add the total weight and nutritional info from the uncooked rice package. When you eat a portion, log the fraction of the total recipe you consumed.

Comparison of Different Rice Types on MyFitnessPal

Different varieties of rice have slightly different caloric and nutritional profiles. While the difference per 100 grams of cooked rice isn't massive, it can add up over time for those tracking their intake closely. The table below provides a quick comparison based on average MyFitnessPal verified entries for 100 grams of cooked rice.


Feature	White Rice	Brown Rice	Basmati Rice	Jasmine Rice
Calories (per 100g cooked)	~130 kcal	~112 kcal	~121 kcal	~170 kcal
Processing	Milled, polished	Whole grain, bran/germ intact	Aromatic, aged grain	Aromatic, softer texture
Fiber Content	Low	High	Medium	Low
Nutritional Benefits	Easily digestible, provides quick energy. Fortified with vitamins in some cases.	Higher fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.	Lower glycemic index compared to regular white rice.	Similar to white rice, provides quick energy.
Ideal For	Quick energy needs, sensitive digestion.	Weight management, gut health.	Diabetes management, balanced meals.	Stir-fries, curries.

The Impact of Cooking Method

Beyond just the type of rice, the cooking method can also influence the final calorie count. For example, adding oil, butter, or other high-calorie ingredients will increase the total caloric intake of your meal. For accurate tracking, be sure to log any additional ingredients used during preparation. Similarly, a study found that cooking and cooling rice could result in slightly fewer calories due to resistant starch formation. This is a minor difference but highlights the nuances of food tracking.

Conclusion: Your Strategy for Logging Rice on MyFitnessPal

To consistently and accurately log your rice intake on MyFitnessPal, the key is to prioritize weighing your rice in its uncooked state and searching for the corresponding verified or brand-specific entry. This eliminates guesswork related to water absorption and inconsistent portion sizes. While slight variations exist between rice types, focusing on a consistent measurement method is the most reliable path to achieving your nutrition and fitness goals. Remember that MyFitnessPal is a powerful tool for building awareness of your eating habits, but it's most effective when used with a consistent and mindful approach. By understanding the basics of tracking rice and applying these simple methods, you can improve the accuracy of your food log and stay on track with your health journey.

For more information on food logging accuracy, consider exploring resources from the MyFitnessPal blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 100-gram serving of plain cooked white rice typically contains around 130 calories, according to verified entries in MyFitnessPal and nutritional data.

For the highest level of accuracy, you should weigh rice in its uncooked state, as nutritional information on packaging is based on the dry product. If you prefer to weigh it cooked, ensure you use a corresponding 'cooked' entry in the app and stick to this method for consistency.

Uncooked rice has a higher caloric density because it lacks the water that is absorbed during cooking. Once cooked, the addition of water increases the weight and volume, effectively diluting the calories over a larger mass.

Yes, on average, a 100-gram serving of cooked brown rice has slightly fewer calories (around 112 kcal) than a 100-gram serving of cooked white rice (around 130 kcal).

To find accurate entries, search for foods with a green checkmark, which indicates they have been reviewed and verified by the MyFitnessPal team. You can also specify 'cooked' or 'uncooked' in your search query for more targeted results.

Yes, adding ingredients like oil, butter, or sauce during cooking will increase the total calories of your rice. If you cook your rice with only water, the calories from the rice itself will remain the same but will be distributed over a larger volume.

If you cook a large batch, use MyFitnessPal's 'Create a Recipe' feature. Log the total amount of uncooked rice (weighed in grams) and any other ingredients. When serving, log the portion you eat as a fraction of the total recipe to get an accurate calorie count.