What is Grits and its health benefits | The Times of India (2024)

FAQs

Are there any health benefits to grits? ›

As a whole grain, grits provide several antioxidants that help mitigate cellular damage from free radicals, unstable atoms in the body. Two of the antioxidants found in grits, lutein and zeaxanthin, are known to contribute to better vision and eye health, protecting against age-related eye diseases.

There is a lack of scientific evidence suggesting that grits have anti-inflammatory properties.

Oats are higher in calories, but they also contain more fiber and protein than grits, making them a better choice if you're looking to lose weight. On the other hand, grits provide fewer calories overall which may be beneficial for those with diabetes.

Stone Ground: These are the least processed form of grits and have the most fiber. Whole dried corn kernels are coarsely ground, which means all the whole-grain nutrients are maintained, including fiber and B vitamins.

Since grits are made from corn, they're high in carbs and can raise blood sugar. However, they're not completely off-limits for people with diabetes.

And while grits don't have enough nutrients to qualify for superfood status, they do offer some nutritional value and have a place in a moderate- or high-carb diet. However, some varieties of grits do have nutritional drawbacks, and choosing unhealthy toppings can sabotage the heathfulness of your dish.

Grits contain more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than rice which can help to reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, anemia, and some cancers. They are also high in multiple B-complex vitamins including folate, niacin, pyridoxine, riboflavin, and thiamine.

They can be eaten like porridge for breakfast or to accompany bacon and eggs, for lunch as part of a bowl with beans or leftover roast veggies, or for dinner as a side dish or main. Grits can also be used to make other staples, such as waffles or grit cakes.

Grits are rich in iron, which is an essential mineral, especially for menstruating women, but they're also processed and high in carbs.

The Short Answer. The only real difference between white and yellow grits is the color of the corn they are made from, but there are some very slight nutritional and taste variances.

Is grits and eggs a good breakfast? ›

Grits and eggs is one of those quick meals that's both simple and satisfying. Enjoy it as a comforting breakfast or easy dinner. You're sure to have it on repeat!

The good news is that a cup of enriched quick grits, cooked with water and with no salt added, has no cholesterol, no sodium and only a trace of fat, according to figures on nutritional values prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture.

As for the difference between yellow and white grits, which get their color from the type of corn that is milled, some say there is a negligible difference in taste, with the yellow grits being sweeter and having a slightly more assertive corn flavor.

Grits are available in three grinds—fine, medium, and coarse. Whole-ground or stone-ground grits: These grits are a coarse grind. You'll find stone-ground grits at gristmill gift shops and specialty food stores. Quick and regular grits: The only difference between these types is in granulation.

Quick, regular, and instant grits have fewer nutrients than the stone-ground variety. Additionally, they're typically paired with high-calorie ingredients, which may lead to weight gain if eaten too frequently.

Though grits are good for our body, they have some side effects that need to be noted. As discussed, grits are good for people with celiac disease but in some cases, they may develop bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, and fatigue .

A plate of spaghetti, a bowl of grits or a meal heavy in other carbohydrates can lift a person's spirits by increasing the amount of serotonin, a powerful chemical in the brain, according to a researcher.

If you are trying to lose weight, eating grits is a better way to get a full feeling without consuming excessive fat calories. These figures refer to plain grits and oatmeal. Adding butter, milk, sugar or salt can increase the amount of fat and calories significantly, so keep these additives to a minimum.

As mentioned above, grits are made solely from corn—a high starch, high carb food. A typical serving size of our Creamy White Corn Grits contains 32 grams of total carbohydrates.

Grits — which are made from ground, dried corn and are similar to polenta — are incredibly versatile and make a great base for all sorts of sauces, meats, seafood, and poached eggs. They take beautifully to cheese, butter, and herbs if you want to get a little fancy, and are great with hot sauce.

What is the nutritional value of a bowl of grits? ›

Whole grains are allowed on the green Mediterranean diet, but you can't eat refined grains like white flour, white bread, grits, white rice and pasta, as well as crackers and boxed cereal.

Origin. The dish originated with the Native American Muscogee tribe using a corn similar to hominy. American colonists learned to make the dish from the Native Americans, and it quickly became an American staple. At that time, the hominy for grits was ground on a stone mill.

Within a few centuries, it had become a tradition for nearly every Southern state, especially in the 'Lowcountry' of South Carolina. With its proximity to the sea, grits became a simple breakfast for coastal fishermen, who added shrimp to the otherwise simple pot of grits.

If desired, you can rinse stone-ground grits in a fine-mesh strainer, then drain well and whisk into the water as per the recipe; this can clean them of any dust or debris that might have gotten mixed into the bag during the milling process.

To reduce inflammation fast, limit your intake of sugar and processed foods. Perhaps, more importantly, though, pursue exercise, stress-reducing behaviors, a good night's sleep, and a diet full of colorful, anti-inflammatory foods.

"Grits are inherently Southern, so they identify as a taste of the South across cultures," she says. Murray theorizes that grits can be traced back much further than to the kitchens run by African American and white women in the antebellum South.

What foods are in the Grains Group? Foods made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, or another cereal grain is a grain product. Bread, pasta, breakfast cereals, grits, and tortillas are examples of grain products. Foods such as popcorn, rice, and oatmeal are also included in the Grains Group.

Are Grits Easy to Digest? Grits are lower in fiber than comparable products, like oatmeal. That said, grits are still made from a whole grain, so check the fiber content or talk to your doctor before trying them to make sure they're among the foods that are easy to digest for your specific health concerns.

Are grits good for the heart? ›

Grits are low in fat and cholesterol, making them heart-healthy food choices. The vitamin B content in grits helps support a healthy nervous system, while the iron content aids in producing red blood cells.

Excellent source of iron and good source of calcium.

They're delicious with breakfast, or alongside your favorite meal. Grits taste good – and they're nutritious.

Grits are known as a quintessential dish in Southern cuisine that has gone from a humble breakfast or side dish to the base for a tasty shrimp entree featured on restaurant menus.

“It ensures that every kernel is properly hydrated, which will enhance both the flavor and the texture.” Also try this: “Toast the grits in the oven before cooking,” says chef Brandon Carter of FARM in Bluffton, South Carolina. “It will give them a slight popcorn flavor.”

Adding a raw egg yolk to a bowl of hot grits or savory oatmeal makes the meal feel a little more breakfast-y, a little more finished, and a little more luxurious.

Pears and apples have a lot of pectin, which is a type of fiber that can lower cholesterol. So do citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. Berries are also high in fiber.

Oats are higher in calories, but they also contain more fiber and protein than grits, making them a better choice if you're looking to lose weight. On the other hand, grits provide fewer calories overall which may be beneficial for those with diabetes.

Use quality, stone-ground grits.

This is the most important thing: skip quick-cooking or instant grits for this cooking method (and for Instant Pot grits, as well). They simply do not have the depth of flavor of stone-ground grits.

What is the healthiest form of grits? ›

Stone Ground: These are the least processed form of grits and have the most fiber. Whole dried corn kernels are coarsely ground, which means all the whole-grain nutrients are maintained, including fiber and B vitamins.

Grits is a food of Native American origin that is common in the Southern United States, mainly used in breakfast. It consists of coarsely ground corn. When made from hominy, it is referred to as hominy grits. It is sometimes called sofkee or sofkey from the Creek word.

Grits originated during the 16th century among the Native American Muskogee tribes of southeastern states, including Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. These tribes are credited with grinding dried corn into a coarse, gritty texture and serving it to colonists.

Oatmeal is higher in both fiber and protein than grits. However, grits have more micronutrients like potassium, calcium and vitamin A. Furthermore, each choice offers unique health benefits to consider.

Grits are a good source of complex carbohydrates, providing energy to your body. They are also a good source of fiber, which can help to regulate digestion and promote a healthy gut. Grits are low in fat and cholesterol, making them heart-healthy food choices.

Grits — which are made from ground, dried corn and are similar to polenta — are incredibly versatile and make a great base for all sorts of sauces, meats, seafood, and poached eggs. They take beautifully to cheese, butter, and herbs if you want to get a little fancy, and are great with hot sauce.

Starch is not a FODMAP. So corn tortillas, corn pasta, grits, polenta, tamales, pupusas, arepas and other foods made from ground corn are OK to eat during the elimination phase of the diet as long as other high FODMAP ingredients have not been added.

Grits are naturally gluten free. People with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity experience side effects, such as bloating, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, and fatigue when they consume non-gluten free items.

The fibre content of grits is 5.4 g which is higher in comparison to oatmeal and other high-fibre foods. They help promote weight loss, constipation, and other digestive disorders .

Quick, regular, and instant grits have fewer nutrients than the stone-ground variety. Additionally, they're typically paired with high-calorie ingredients, which may lead to weight gain if eaten too frequently.

Are grits high or low carb? ›

Are Grits High in Carbohydrates? As mentioned above, grits are made solely from corn—a high starch, high carb food. A typical serving size of our Creamy White Corn Grits contains 32 grams of total carbohydrates.