Is Tesco Basmati Rice Syn Free?

Standard rice is syn free on the slimming world plan, meaning you can have it in moderation without adding to your syn allowance, however, microwaveable rice does have syns which vary according to the flavour and weight of the packet.

Tesco basmati microwave rice has 3.5 syns for its 250g pouch making it a great low syn addition to a meal if you need something quick and convenient. 

To help you stay on track with your syns, we have put together a short guide below which will discuss why Tesco basmati rice has syns, the other syns of their rice pouches and some microwaveable low syn alternatives.

Why Does Tesco Basmati Microwave Rice Have Syns?

If you have been doing the SW plan for a while you would know that rice is syn free, this can make it confusing when plain basmati microwave rice has syns. The reason as to why these rice packs have syns is due to the oil content inside of them which is put to help break the rice up during cooking rather than it sticking together.

This means you have to be careful even when checking plain microwaveable rice syns, or as an alternative use boil in the bag rice, still, 3.5 syns for 250g is not bad and can be used as part of your daily 15 syn a day allowance.

Tesco Microwave Rice Syn Values

If you do your shopping at Tesco you are probably interested in learning about the syns of their other microwave rice packs too, we have listed their values below.

• Tesco long-grain rice - 3 syns for 250g.
• Tesco egg fried rice - 4.5 syns for 250g.
• Tesco pilau basmati rice - 2.5 syns for 250g.
• Tesco whole grain rice - 2 syns for 250g.
• Tesco spicy wholegrain Mexican rice - 5 syns for 250g pack.
• Tesco wholegrain rice with haricot and beans - 5 syns for 250g.
• Tesco wholegrain rice with pinto beans and bulgar wheat - 3.5 syns.
• Tesco chicken and sweetcorn rice - 2.5 syns for 250g.
• Tesco Mexican inspired rice - 3 syns for 250g.

Low Syn Microwave Rice Alternatives

Tesco's microwaveable rice is not too high in syns but there are also other varieties of low syn microwave rice from different brands which are worth noting for convenience.

We have listed some low syn alternatives with their values below.

• Sainsbury's ready in two minutes Thai rice - 3 syns per 250g.
• Sainsbury's ready in two minutes brown rice - 2 syns per 250g.
• Sainsbury's ready in two minutes pilau rice - 3 syns per 250g.
• Sainsbury's ready in two minutes basmati rice - 3 syns per 250g.
• Sainsbury's ready in two minutes mushroom rice - 3 syns per 250g.
• Sainsbury's ready in two minutes white rice - 1.5 syns per 250g.
• Morrisons basmati rice - 1.5 syns per 250g.
• Morrisons Mexican rice - 1 syn per 250g.
• Uncle bens special mushroom rice - 2.5 syns per 250g.
• Uncle bens tomato and basil rice - 4 syns per 250g.
• Uncle bens golden vegetable rice - 2.5 syns per 250g.
• Tilda pure basmati rice - 3 syns per 250g.
• Tilda lemon basmati rice - 2 syns per 250g.
• Tilda white and brown basmati rice - 3 syns per 250g.

Last Words

Overall, Tesco's basmati rice is low in syns and is one of the best microwaveable packet rice choices if your looking for a quick and convenient lunch and don't want to use too many syns. If you want to save some syns, we recommend choosing the boil in the bag white rice instead as this does not contain oil and is syn free on the slimming world plan or stick to plain basmati rice packs rather than flavoured.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are syn values calculated?

Syn values are calculated using a formula based on calories, saturated fat and sugar content per serving. They’re not the same as calories — a product can be low in calories but higher in syns if it’s high in sugar or fat. Always check the official Slimming World app for the most accurate and up-to-date syn values.

Do syn values change?

Yes. When manufacturers reformulate their products, the syn value can go up or down. This is why we recommend double-checking with the Slimming World app or your consultant, especially if a product’s packaging has changed recently.

How many syns should I have per day?

Most Slimming World members work with 5 to 15 syns per day. Your consultant will advise on the right amount for you. The key is to use your syns on the things you enjoy most — whether that’s a chocolate bar, a glass of wine, or a packet of crisps.