Grits are a household staple in southern America. If you are from there, you cannot but know about grits and their creamy, yummy texture.
This food item has enough adaptability to suit anyone’s taste buds. You could become a grits-lover if you try it.
But are grits healthy? Are grits healthy for weight loss? Are eggs and grits healthy? Which is healthier, grits or oatmeal?
And, how to make healthy grits for breakfast? Are grits bad for you? Or, are white grits good for you? I will answer all these questions in this article. So, stay tuned.
What Are Grits?
Grits are a kind of cornmeal, which is turned into a course meal by grounding. You can make grits from both yellow and white ground corn. They get a little gritty texture when you cook them.
Grits are the most popular food in southern America, where they are usually served with other food as a side dish with dinner or breakfast.
However, grits are also popular in other countries such as Italy and Mexico. Grits are low in calories and fat, which is why this is a healthy choice of food.
Grits contain a lot of essential vitamins and minerals such as B vitamins, vitamin B12, thiamin, zinc, iron, niacin, and magnesium.
When you grind corn kernels in stones, that is what stone ground grits are. There are slightly coarser in texture than other kinds of grits, and they are higher in protein and fiber.
Because stone ground grits are low in calories and fat, they are very healthy for you. They also consist of minerals and vitamins such as B vitamins, vitamin B12, thiamin, zinc, iron, niacin, and magnesium.
Are Grits Healthy?
Yes, grits are absolutely healthy. Grits are not only healthy, but they are also delicious and nutritious.
They are great to add to your diet, and you can enjoy them for breakfast, dinner, and lunch. You will not regret trying grits. So, do give it a try.
Grits can offer many health benefits, such as preventing different chronic diseases, building muscle, and regulating digestion.
For those who are trying to lose weight or keep their weight in control, grits are a good food item for them as they are low in calories and fat.
To add variety to your diet, you can have grits as it has a unique taste and texture. They are also a convenient option for your meals because they are pretty easy to make.
You can cook grits using milk or water as well as add some salt and seasoning to your taste to make yourself a nice meal.
Nutritional Value of Grits
Grits is a whole grain food. The nutritional value of whole grain is endless. They are high in protein and fiber. Here are the nutrients in a cup of grits down below.
- 182 calories
- 38 grams of carbs
- 4 grams of protein
- 1 gram of fat
- 1.5 mg of Iron
- B vitamins
- Folate
- Vitamin B6
- Niacin
- Magnesium
Benefits of Eating Grits for Breakfast
Grits are really healthy to eat. There are many benefits of grits that make them healthy. Here are some of the benefits.
Good Source of Dietary Fiber
Grits are a good source of dietary fiber, with can promote regularity and regulate digestion. Fiber is also good for maintaining a healthy heart.
It can help prevent different chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Fiber makes gives you the feeling of fullness and satiates your appetite. Thus, it can easily help with your weight management.
High in Protein
Grits are rich in protein. This can help in building your muscles as well as promote your weight loss.
To maintain your energy levels and prevent the feeling of fatigue, protein is essential in that department.
Beneficial Nutrients
Grits contain essential nutrients such as zinc, vitamin B12, niacin, thiamin, iron, and magnesium. These minerals and vitamins are important for vitality and health.
Low in Calories and Fat
Because corn grits are low in calories and fat, it is a good food item and meal for those people who want to maintain a weight that is healthy or simply want to lose weight.
You can enjoy the unique flavor of grits by adding seasoning and salt and it is convenient and easy to make as well.
Are Grits Healthy for Diabetics
People with diabetes can eat grits as they are high in fiber content as well as high in carbohydrates.
If your blood sugar is high, you should definitely eat grits because foods with high carbohydrates can raise the glucose levels in your bloodstream.
Additionally, grits are rich in sodium. However, a lot of sodium can increase the risk of different heart diseases and blood pressure.
If you are diabetic, it is essential that you monitor the glucose levels in your blood and opt for a healthy diet that includes eating a lot of vegetables and fruits.
Red blood cells are the most important blood cells that transport oxygen to the tissues of your body.
RBCs or red blood cells are important to deliver the oxygen in your tissues and each cell. They have a 120 days lifespan after being produced in your bone marrow. The protein in grits has vital for this role.
Disadvantages of Grits
Even though grits have a lot of health benefits, they also come with a fe side effects that you should know about.
Grits are high in sodium and carbohydrates, which can be a problem for people with hypertension and diabetes.
Plus, grits contain gluten, which is a protein that causes inflammation in your gut as well as digestive problems if you are intolerant to gluten.
Difference Between Oatmeal and Grits
The difference between oatmeal and grits is quite straightforward. While grits are made out of corn, oatmeal is made out of oats.
Grits are popular in southern America, whereas oatmeals are most popular in different northern countries.
Oats are richer in fiber, they also consist of more minerals like zinc as well as more protein.
Conclusion
Are grits healthy? Yes, they are. Even though they can have a few side effects for people with diabetes and hypertension, they are generally quite a healthy meal.
So, I do urge you to try having grits if you have not yet tried this southern food. It is convenient and easy to make as well. Enjoy having cooked grits.
