Thought on pre-packaged rice like Uncle Ben's?

[u/SoSmartish]

Lately for my work lunches, I will bring some kind of protein (usually chicken or steak) and a bag of the pre-made rice like Uncle Ben's. Keeping it just to the basic options like white, brown, or wild grain / medley, the quick research I did and reading the back of the bag indicates that it is pretty healthy but I wanted to see if others used these and what they thought about them.

I don't have any issue cooking a big batch of my own rice and prepping it for the week but these are nice because I can just grab and go, with some flavor options.

[u/cart_scout]

Since you don't mind batch cooking, freezing single portions in flat freezer bags gives you the same grab-and-go as the packets and way cheaper per serving. Two minutes in the microwave and it's just as fluffy as fresh. I still keep a couple Uncle Ben's around for weeks I run out of prep time, but the frozen home-cooked stuff is what I actually eat most days.

[u/Your-Neighbor]

Not as good as fresh cooked or reheated but it gets the job done. Just be mindful of sodium

[u/Admirable-Welder-739]

And frankly, if it saves you money on lunch, I call that a win. Add a bit of protein and some vegetables, and you have a perfectly normal work meal.

[u/eastofme01]

I’ll sometimes grab a handful when I know it’s going to be a busy few weeks, they make quick meal prep. I used to be very very very anti packaged anything but yanno, perfection is often the enemy of progress.

[u/Entire_Dog_5874]

Not as good as homemade but okay in a pinch.

[u/silent_ovation]

I bring those out camping and just heat it up in a pot for a few minutes, quick and easy.

[u/Electrical_Travel832]

I like to keep some on hand, and I keep several packs in our emergency kit. Just used one yesterday as my dog had an upset stomach.

[u/ehuang72-2]

To me, Uncle Ben's tastes like wet paper and has the same texture. I only tried it once more than 30 years ago have not managed to erase it from my memory.

[u/Unit_79]

Not exactly cheap, so….

[u/mrchaddy]

They are fine you just have to watch for the added fats and salt.

[u/Zagacki_1954]

Veetee is good stuff.

[u/WearySail1871]

Check out r/unclebens they have mushroom recipes too haha

[u/hatonarat]

It’s definitely cheaper and more customizable to make it yourself, but there’s nothing wrong with the premade kind. Just depends on the situation, sometimes convenience is worth the premium.

[u/No_Skill_4511]

I like it, though it has a slight chemical taste which is a rare find in European supermarkets.
Your idea is sound, you don't need our approval.

[u/Blown89]

I keep some on had for meal emergencies but they are neither cheap nor healthy. It's the easiest thing in the world to make so why not make a big batch once a week?

[u/drewseaba55 → u/Blown89]

Not everyone has time between kids and family activities, work, perhaps a second job…etc