By Susan McDaniel

And you thought choosing brown over white was all you needed to know when it came to rice. Turns out colored rice not only provides a fresh new palette for traditional rice recipes, it also serves up big nutritional benefits as well.

Color: Red
Health Benefits: Has more than twice as much iron as brown rice and is packed with zinc and calcium. Also contains phytonutrients such as phenolics, which have antioxidant potential.
How to Prepare: Replace white or brown rice with red in your favorite burrito recipe for a health-packed surprise.

Color: Purple
Health Benefits: High in iron and a great source of protein. Also contains anthocyanins, which studies suggest have anti-inflammatory properties and may protect against heart disease and cancer.
How to Prepare: Purple, sticky rice works well in rice pudding recipes because of its sweetness.

Color: Black (not to be confused with wild rice)
Health Benefits: High in fiber (almost double the fiber content in red or brown varieties), iron, and protein, and contains anti-inflammatory anthocyanins.
How to Prepare: A firm texture and nutty flavor makes it especially tasty under broiled salmon topped with a basil pesto.