Cream of Wheat is a nutrient-packed breakfast food, full of vitamins and minerals that are crucial to maintaining overall health and wellness, such as niacin, vitamin B6, thiamine, riboflavin, folate, copper, calcium, and selenium.
Cream of Wheat:
Cream of Wheat is a breakfast cereal porridge that is prepared from ground wheat kernels, resulting in a finer texture than that of grits, which are ground corn. This nutritious cereal was initially manufactured in 1893 at the Grand Forks, North Dakota, grist mills and debuted during the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Originally a Nabisco brand owned by Kraft Foods, Cream of Wheat was bought by B&G Foods in 2007, where it remains a treasured staple in the kitchens of America.
Benefits of Wheat Cream:
Nutritional value of Wheat Cream:
Cream of Wheat is a wholesome, low-calorie food filled with vitamins and minerals that promote health. 241 grams of cooked Cream of Wheat has approximately 133 calories, 4 grams of protein, 0.5 grams of fat, 28 grams of carbohydrate, and 1 gram of fiber. It also contains large amounts of essential micronutrients, such as 58% of the daily recommended amount of iron, 39% niacin, 38% vitamin B1 (thiamine), 33% riboflavin, 33% folate, 13% selenium, 11% calcium, and 11% copper.
High in B vitamins, Cream of Wheat is essential in activating enzymes that are responsible for energy production, brain function, cholesterol management, and DNA synthesis. The folate content is especially significant since it has been associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer. The high selenium content also serves as a strong antioxidant that reduces inflammation and guards against diseases.
Iron and Calcium Sources for Vegetarians:
Red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, and oxygen delivery all depend on iron, a crucial mineral. Iron is essential to the body’s ability to store oxygen and transport it properly, assisting red blood cells in removing fresh oxygen from the lungs. Additionally, it aids in the defense against infections by your white blood cells.
Iron deficiency anemia, a dangerous disorder brought on by a shortage of healthy red blood cells in the body, can be exacerbated by a lack of this vital mineral. Many vegetarians and vegans may be more susceptible to iron deficiency anemia since iron is mostly contained in animal-based meals.
Cream of Wheat is enriched with iron, making it an excellent and vegan-friendly food source for those at risk of deficiency of this micronutrient.
Cream of wheat contains calcium, which supports nerve function, stimulates enzymes required for muscular contraction, and helps build strong bones.
Cream of Wheat is easy to use:
Cream of wheat is tasty, adaptable, and simple to use in a variety of ways. Depending on personal desire, it can be prepared with either milk or water and cooked on the stove or in the microwave.
You can also add sugar, syrup, fruit, nuts, spices, salt, cheese, or butter to the cream of wheat to make it more interesting.
Some Disadvantages of Cream of Wheat:
Cream of wheat has several drawbacks that should be taken into account and balanced when using it, even though it may have some potential health benefits.
Cream of Wheat Contains Gluten:
Ground wheat is used to make cream of wheat, a cereal or wheat flour. Gluten, a class of proteins present in grains that gives flour its distinctive elasticity, is therefore present in Cream of Wheat.
The majority of gluten-tolerant people are healthy; however, those who have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity may suffer negative side effects after consuming gluten-containing meals.
Consuming gluten-containing foods can cause an immunological reaction in those who have celiac disease, leading to digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
After eating gluten-containing meals, people with gluten sensitivity frequently experience symptoms like bloating, nausea, exhaustion, and brain fog, which is a disorder marked by difficulty concentrating.
Therefore, a gluten-free diet that excludes wheat, barley, rye, and cream of wheat products may help patients with either illness feel better.
Cream of Wheat is High in Sodium:
The most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans state that most healthy adults should consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. With around 590 mg of sodium per cooked cup (241 grams), cream of wheat has a comparatively high sodium content. This exceeds the suggested daily limit by 25%.
While certain types of ordinary Cream of Wheat are low in sodium, they are processed with salt, which can raise the final product’s sodium content. Furthermore, adding extra cheese or nuts to cream of wheat might raise its salt content.
According to certain research, cutting back on sodium in the diet can help lower blood pressure, particularly in those who already have high blood pressure. Additionally, research has indicated that eating a lot of sodium may raise your risk of developing stomach cancer. Furthermore, eating a lot of salt may cause the body to excrete more calcium in the urine, which could result in bone loss.