What Foods Are Binders? | Livestrong.com (2024)

What Foods Are Binders? | Livestrong.com (1)

All-purpose flour and eggs are some of the most popular food binders.

Image Credit: Gabriele Grassl/iStock/GettyImages

All-purpose flour and eggs are some of the most popular food binders. Their role is to improve and maintain food texture. If you're sensitive to gluten or eggs, there are many other binding agents you can use to enhance the flavor and nutritional value of homemade meals.

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Tip

Binders are used with other ingredients to maintain food texture and shape. Even though all-purpose white flour and eggs are the most popular options, you can use many other foods that provide more nutrition and flavor.

Popular Binding Agents

From cookies to meat products like salmon cakes, food binders are added to other ingredients to help food with its texture, shape and moistness. They can also add some flavor and nutrients to your meals and snacks.

The USDA has a long list of binding agents, so keep it at hand. Some of the most popular and widely used food binders are the following:

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  • Eggs
  • Wheat flour
  • Cracker crumbs
  • Oatmeal
  • Rice
  • Milk
  • Evaporated milk
  • Gelatin
  • Guar gum
  • Xanthan gum
  • Psyllium husk
  • Potato starch
  • Ground flax
  • Tapioca

Food binders run the gamut from dairy products to fruits and even vegetables. You are familiar with many of them, such as milk, oatmeal and cracker crumbs, but some are not widely used in home cooking. For example, guar gum is made from legumes, while xanthan gum is a white powder produced from fermented sugar. The FDA lists both of these as "safe and suitable" food binders and they are found in a wide range of products.

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Psyllium is a form of fiber made from the husks of a plant and can be purchased in powder or supplement form. Metamucil, for instance, contains this ingredient. Rich in fiber, psyllium husk is a great binding agent as it may help lower cholesterol levels, points out Berkeley Wellness. When ingested in large amounts, it may affect nutrient absorption, but a small dose (one teaspoon) is unlikely to have side effects. One teaspoon can be substituted for one egg in recipes.

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Best Binding Flours

White flour is one of the most popular binding agents as it's used in everything from muffins to cookies and cakes. The Cleveland Clinic states that white flour provides few nutrients as it contains no fiber, protein or healthy fats. But several other types of flour will help bind foods while also giving them a nutritional kick.

One great choice for baking is almond flour. A January 2015 study published in the_ Journal of the American Heart Association_ and funded by the Almond Board of California reports that almonds may reduce the bad LDL cholesterol and protect against cardiometabolic disorders. Plus, almond flour is gluten-free (unless it was produced in a facility that handles wheat). The next time you're making muffins, consider swapping white flour for almond flour.

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The Cleveland Clinic reports that coconut flour is another great binding agent as it contains lots of fiber, healthy fats and digestible carbohydrates. The only thing to be aware of is that you may need to add more liquids, such as oil or water, when baking with this ingredient. If you have nut allergies, coconut flour is a good choice.

Oat flour consists of ground-up rolled oats, making it ideal for those trying to cut out refined carbs, such as those in white flour. Simply place rolled oats in your food processor and grind until you obtain a fine powder. Note that oat flour is higher in fiber and protein compared to all-purpose flour, so it can easily fit into a balanced meal plan.

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If you're on a gluten-free diet, you may opt for gluten-free all-purpose flour or make your own using gluten-free rolled oats.

Egg-Free Food Binder Substitutes

Eggs are another popular food binding agent because they not only bind the mixture together but also help the dough rise. Keep in mind that egg substitutes may alter the density or the taste of your finished product.

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The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recommends the following replacements for one egg:

  • 1/2 of a medium mashed banana
  • 1/4 cup of purees fruits, such as applesauce
  • 3.5 tablespoons of a gelatin blend
  • 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons warm water

Commercial egg substitutes can also be used, but they do contain eggs, so keep that in mind if you're allergic to this food. Xanthan gum is another egg substitute and requires just one teaspoon to replace one egg.

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To get more heart-healthy fats in your diet, swap eggs for avocados in your recipes. Use a quarter cup of this fruit for each egg. This works best in recipes like brownies, where the color is already dark.

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What Foods Are Binders? | Livestrong.com (2024)

FAQs

What Foods Are Binders? | Livestrong.com? ›

Eggs can act as binding agents. As their proteins set, eggs bind ingredients together giving strength and stability to meatloaves, casseroles and baked goods. Eggs are used to coat foods with crumbs, flour, etc.

Are eggs a binder? ›

Eggs can act as binding agents. As their proteins set, eggs bind ingredients together giving strength and stability to meatloaves, casseroles and baked goods. Eggs are used to coat foods with crumbs, flour, etc.

What is a binding ingredient in food? ›

Binding agents are ingredients added to products that form its materials into a whole and provide structural stability to the final product. This could include combining ingredients so they don't separate, improving texture by thickening, or affecting how mixed ingredients react with one another.

Is honey a binding agent? ›

Honey naturally coats, binds and thickens products, improving body and mouthfeel.

Can milk be used as a binding agent? ›

In this study, casein has been investigated as a binder. Casein is a naturally occurring milk protein (Figure 1), which can easily be extracted from bovine milk in a cost-effective manner and can be used as a natural adhesive.

What is a good binder besides eggs? ›

16 egg substitutes
  • Mashed banana. Mashed banana can act as a binding agent when baking or making pancake batter. ...
  • Applesauce. Applesauce can also act as a binding agent. ...
  • Fruit puree. Fruit puree will help bind a recipe in a similar way to applesauce. ...
  • Avocado. ...
  • Gelatin. ...
  • Xanthan gum. ...
  • Vegetable oil and baking powder. ...
  • Margarine.
Mar 31, 2021

Do scrambled eggs bind you? ›

Some people believe that eggs can cause constipation. However, there is not much scientific evidence that supports this. They are a low fiber food, though, so eating a lot of them may contribute to constipation.

What foods are best for binding? ›

BRAT stands for “bananas, rice, apples, toast.” These foods are bland, so they won't aggravate the digestive system. They're also binding, so they help firm up stool.
...
Other foods that are included in the BRAT diet include:
  • cooked cereal, like Cream of Wheat or farina.
  • soda crackers.
  • applesauce and apple juice.

Is oatmeal a binding agent? ›

Using oats as a meat binder:

Once the oats are exposed to moisture, they create a binding power to meat, vegetables and spices. The oats also help set the burgers as they bake, making for a more tender and less crumbly patty.

Is olive oil a binding agent? ›

Olive Oil – This is another suitable binder if you are concerned about flavours mixing.

What is the best natural binding agent? ›

Binding Agents: In a Nutshell
  • Oatmeal.
  • Milk.
  • Potato starch.
  • Psyllium husk.
  • Rice.
  • Tapioca.
  • Wheat flour.
  • Xanthan gum.
Aug 17, 2021

What is a natural binding agent? ›

Organic binders include gums made by boiling plants and glues made by the boiling the hooves, bones, or skin of animals. Some natural bio-adhesives are also made from organic sources such as natural resins.

Is peanut butter a binding agent? ›

Peanut butter makes an excellent binder for homemade snack bars, such as our No-Cook Peanut Butter Protein Bars, made with quick oats, bananas, protein powder, and chia and hemp seeds. Take these to the gym instead of splurging on post-workout smoothies.

Is Greek yogurt a binding agent? ›

Using yogurt in place of eggs is ideal for baked goods where there's another leavening agent at work. It'll help with binding and moisture.

Can I use Mayo as a binding agent? ›

Binders like those in the background, such as (from left) yellow mustard, steak sauce, olive oil, melted butter, apple sauce and mayonnaise are great options.

Is sour cream a binding agent? ›

In cold dishes, sour cream adds creaminess and stability and serves as a binding agent to hold other ingredients together.

How much milk is equal to one egg? ›

Eggs
FoodAmountSubstitute
Egg1Mix 2 tbsp of milk with 1/2 tsp baking powder
Egg12 egg yolks
Egg11 egg white plus 2 tsp oil
Egg12 egg whites
9 more rows

What is a vegan binder? ›

A vegan binding agent is a substance that helps to hold together ingredients in a vegan dish. There are many different types of vegan binding agents, and the best one to use depends on the ingredients you are using and the desired consistency of the final dish.

What can I use as a binding agent instead of egg for batter? ›

THE BOTTOM LINE: We recommend using heavy cream when breading foods if you cannot use eggs. CREAM IS BEST: If you can't use eggs, use heavy cream to hold breading in place.

Is oatmeal binding or a laxative? ›

1. Oatmeal. “Oats are loaded with soluble fiber, which is a type of fiber that allows more water to remain in the stool,” says Smith. “This makes the stool softer and larger, and ultimately easier to pass.”

What foods are best for constipation? ›

Fiber
  • whole grains, such as whole wheat bread and pasta, oatmeal, and bran flake cereals.
  • legumes, such as lentils, black beans, kidney beans, soybeans, and chickpeas.
  • fruits, such as berries, apples with the skin on, oranges, and pears.
  • vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli, green peas, and collard greens.

Is applesauce good for constipation? ›

“The BRAT diet ― bananas, rice, applesauce and toast ― is one we recommend for a range of digestive issues, and it can help with both constipation and diarrhea.

What should I eat if I have loose stools? ›

Eating When you Have Diarrhea

Use low-fat milk, cheese, or yogurt. If you have very severe diarrhea, you may need to stop eating or drinking dairy products for a few days. Eat bread products made from refined, white flour. Pasta, white rice, and cereals such as cream of wheat, farina, oatmeal, and cornflakes are OK.

What foods thicken your stool? ›

Eat foods that thicken the stool such as: rice, pasta, cheese, bananas, applesauce, smooth peanut butter, pretzels, yogurt, and marshmallows. Drink 2 or 3 glasses of fluid that will replace electrolytes like sports drinks, fruit or vegetable juice and broth but limit these items.

What is the best way to bind breasts? ›

The most popular safe methods are to use commercial binders, sports bras, strategic layering, and bandages or elastic materials. If you're binding frequently, make sure to take breaks throughout the day and take days off, as binding continuously can cause negative side effects (2,4).

Is Peanut Butter good for constipation? ›

Peanut butter contains fiber, which may help people avoid constipation. However, people should try to choose brands that do not contain added salt, sugar, or fat. Including certain foods in the diet can help to keep bowel movements regular. These include vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.

Is yogurt a binding food? ›

In large quantities, dairy products, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream, can cause many people to become constipated.

Should I keep eating if constipated? ›

Eating When you Have Constipation. Try these things to relieve your constipation: Do not skip meals. Avoid processed or fast foods, such as white breads, pastries, doughnuts, sausage, fast-food burgers, potato chips, and French fries.

Is flaxseed a binding agent? ›

Just like chia seeds, flaxseeds can form a gel and act as a binder. 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons of water or the wet ingredients replaces 1 egg. As flaxseed meal is the powdered form, you can also just add the flaxseed meal to the dry ingredients.

Is coconut oil a natural binder? ›

1 DRYING OILS. These are natural binders and used as they are or with a certain amount of processing. This group contains natural drying oils, such as linseed oil, soya bean oil and coconut oil.

Can I use avocado oil as a binder? ›

avocado oil - this is used as the binder for the rub. You can also use any other neutral-flavored binder like olive oil. Some people like to use mustard as a binder, but I don't recommend it for this recipe as it changes the overall flavor.

What is an example of a natural binder? ›

Starches like rice starch, maize starch, potato starch, wheat starch, corn starch are well known for their binding and disintegrating properties but some other starches like enset starch and banana starch can also be used as binding agent. Starch is also used as fillers.

What are examples of binders? ›

Some of them, e.g. tapioca flour, lactose, sucrose, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone and various starches are also used in pharmacology in making tablets. Tablet binders include lactose powder, sucrose powder, tapioca starch (cassava flour) and microcrystalline cellulose.

What do vegans use to bind food instead of egg? ›

Flaxseed (aka linseed)

Combine a tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water, stir to combine, and let stand for 5 minutes to thicken. Ground flaxseed emulates eggs' binding qualities in breads, cakes, muffins, cookies, burgers, and vegan meatballs.

What is a binder for detox? ›

- Binders are natural substances, like clay and charcoal, that the wellness industry is selling, claiming that they bind to “toxins” during a cleanse to prevent you from feeling ill and to stop the body from reabsorbing the toxins.

Can beans be used as a binder? ›

As a meat extender, cooked or canned beans are more noticeable in a final dish than lentils. However, mashed beans act much like pureed lentils as a binder, especially if you add a small amount (1 to 2 tablespoons) of the starch-rich canned bean brine. The brine is salty, so you need less salt in recipes.

What foods cause constipation in seniors? ›

Eating a lot of high-fat meats, dairy products and eggs, sweets, or processed foods may cause constipation. Not enough fluids. Water and other fluids help fiber work better, so not drinking enough liquids can contribute to harder stools that are more difficult to pass. Lack of physical activity.

Are bananas good for constipation? ›

“Bananas, when fully ripe, contain soluble fiber and thus can help treat constipation,” Lee says. “However, unripe, or green, bananas have high levels of resistant starch, which can be very binding and cause constipation.” Because of this, unripe bananas can be used to treat diarrhea, she notes.

Are graham crackers good for constipation? ›

Bran is a natural stool softener because it has a high fiber content. Make sure that your child's daily diet includes a source of bran, such as one of the whole grain cereals, unmilled bran, bran muffins, graham crackers, oatmeal, high-fiber cookies, brown rice, or whole wheat bread.

Is lemon a binding agent? ›

It can be used as a preservative in foods and beverages as well as a pH stabilizer in household cleaners. On a larger scale, lemon juice has applications as a chelating and binding agent.

What is a binding substitute for gluten? ›

Binding agents like Xanthan gum, psyllium husk powder, and guar gum are often used in gluten-free baking. Xanthan gum, psyllium husk powder, and guar gum are binding agents and are frequently called for in gluten-free recipes and serve the same general purpose as thickeners and binding agents.

What can you use instead of eggs to bind meatballs? ›

What can I use instead of eggs to bind meatballs? There are several options to substitute eggs in a meatball recipe: 2 tablespoons of buttermilk per egg, 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt per egg, 1/4 cup ricotta cheese per egg, or 3 tablespoons unsweetened apple sauce per egg.

Can I use milk instead of egg to bind? ›

Water, milk, or water mixed with milk powder can replace eggs.

What can I use as a binding agent instead of butter? ›

Applesauce can help work as a binding agent when baking and will create a slight change in taste and texture. Applesauce typically creates a sweet and soft texture in oil-based goods when substituted for butter.

What is a good binder for ribeye steak? ›

You can use olive oil or a little water as a binder; but I've been experimenting with the beef concentrate and I like the results. I hit the outside with a little Hot Bbq Rub followed by a good coating of my Steak Rub. Really you could use any seasonings you like on this steak. Once seasoned let it rest for 20 minutes.

Is buttermilk a binding agent? ›

Buttermilk

Buttermilk is one of my favorite ingredients for adding moisture to a recipe. When replacing eggs, buttermilk not only adds moisture but also acts as a binding agent. In addition, when mixed with baking soda or baking powder buttermilk helps the dough to rise.

Is condensed milk a binding agent? ›

Condensed Milk is thicker and sweeter in consistency and hence works as both the sweetening and binding agent in the recipe.

What can I use instead of honey as a binding agent? ›

Honey is commonly used as a binding agent. It holds together baked goods or cereal bars, for instance. In this case, you need a sticky substitute like corn syrup (or, again, maple syrup) to get the job done.

Is egg white or yolk a binder? ›

Yolks not only add moisture and richness to bakes, they are also a natural binder. The yolks are also where the vitamins and minerals of the egg are concentrated, including lecithin which is a natural emulsifier that adds creaminess and flavor to bakes, custards and sauces.

Is egg a binder for meat? ›

One reference states that the synergy between fish and egg white proteins makes egg white powder an “indispensable ingredient” in surimi manufacturing, binding the ingredients together through gelling or coagulation. Egg products form gels easily within certain meat matrices to hold together meat patties and sausages.

Does egg and milk bind together? ›

This practice of combining milk and raw eggs can cause food poisoning as well as Biotin deficiency, this happens when the proteins in the egg bind with the Biotin compounds and hampers its absorption in the body. This is why mixing raw eggs with milk is a bad idea.

How do you know if an egg is binding? ›

3. How can I tell if my bird is egg bound?
  1. depressed demeanour, fluffed up appearance.
  2. unable to perch or may often sit on the bottom of the cage or in food bowl.
  3. tail bobbing.
  4. straining to lay an egg.
  5. paralysis of one or both legs (due to the egg putting pressure on the nerves that control the legs)
  6. vomiting.
Jun 6, 2020

Is a hard boiled egg binding? ›

According to Dr. Lee, “For someone dealing with predominant diarrhea (the fast transit type where they have loose frequent bowel movements), eggs can be a friend and help bind up the bowel movements.”

Can you use milk instead of eggs as a binder? ›

Water, milk, or water mixed with milk powder can replace eggs.

How do you bind meat with eggs? ›

If you're going for a leaner meat or adding bulky ingredients (eg spring onions, onions, chillies), add an egg and a handful of breadcrumbs to bind the burgers.

What is the best meat binder? ›

Binders like those in the background, such as (from left) yellow mustard, steak sauce, olive oil, melted butter, apple sauce and mayonnaise are great options. A dry rub is sprinkled on a pork roast after applesauce was put on the meat as a binder.

What are common meat binders? ›

Meat extenders and binders are a large class of nonmeat ingredients, which include soy flour, soy protein isolates, nonfat dry milk, dried whey, reduced lactose whey, whey protein concentrate, sodium caseinate, wheat gluten, cereal flours, and tapioca dextrin.

Do eggs bind or loosen stool? ›

You may become constipated if you don't eat enough high-fiber foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Eating a lot of high-fat meats, dairy products and eggs, sweets, or processed foods may cause constipation.

When I drink milk after eating egg? ›

Thus, if you are actually seeking to build a strong body and improve overall health it is best to consume cooked eggs and milk, but make sure if you want to avoid any issues with digestion and gut health, then it is suggested to keep a gap of an hour between the consumption of two types of protein.

What does banana egg and milk do to the body? ›

Eating bananas regularly helps maintain blood pressure levels and promotes bone health too. Bananas also provides us with instant energy. Eggs are loaded with essential nutrients like vitamin A, selenium, phosphorous, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, vitamin B5 and folate.

Can eating too many eggs make you egg bound? ›

Definition: To be constipated, usually from eating too many eggs.

Can a chicken be egg bound? ›

In addition to poor diet, egg binding is also common in hens that are first time egg layers or hens that are prolific layers. While egg binding is not considered a common problem, it is thought to be the most common and severe in smaller breeds such as bantams.

Can you eat too many eggs? ›

There is no specific number of eggs that a person should eat as part of a healthy diet. Experts once considered eggs to be an unhealthy food source in terms of high cholesterol and heart problem concerns. The fact that egg yolk contains a high level of cholesterol was the primary cause of this belief.

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