What Are The Differences Between Grits And Oatmeal?
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Do you have a hard time choosing between oatmeal and grits for a hot breakfast? It is not surprising, because both these foods are popular on the breakfast table and are highly nutritious.
But then, which of these is more preferable? That is what this post will talk about. Go ahead and read!
Grits Vs Oatmeal Nutrition
Before we move into the nutritional compositions of both these foods, going through their background can be an interesting tour. The hull and germ from the dried corn kernels are removed to produce hominy, which has been a traditional food for Native Americans for thousands of years. According to the University of South Carolina, grits are prepared by grounding hominy and served as a side dish at the breakfast table by boiling it in water. It is served after straining the water.
Oatmeal has a simple story of its production. It is produced by harvesting oat grains. The hull is removed, and the oats are ground into steel-cut oats or rolled for making quick-cooking oatmeal. Oatmeal is high in fiber, enriched with vitamins, proteins, and minerals, and is low in calories. However, grit is also enriched with lots of nutritional benefits and is good for breakfast.
Carbohydrates
Grits are better sources of carbs than oatmeal. So, if you want to increase your carbohydrate intake, you should choose grits over oatmeal. One cup of cooked grits contains 38 grams of carbohydrates whereas one cup of cooked oatmeal contains 28 grams of carbs. That is why grits are considered better choices for pre-exercise meals as carbohydrates are the main source of energy.
[ Read: 4 Nutritional Benefits Of Grits ]
Fat
Grits again beat oatmeal when it comes to low-fat content. One cup of cooked grits contains only 1 gram of fat while one cup of cooked oatmeal contains 3.5 grams of fat. According to the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders, since the calorific value of fat is high, foods with high fat content can prove to be detrimental in weight loss. So, if you are looking for foods with less fat content, grits is a better option.
Folate
If you want to improve your folate intake, you should choose grits over oatmeal. One cup of grits provides five times more amount of folate than one cup of oatmeal. Also known as folic acid, folate is a type of vitamin B that promotes the production of healthy new cells and DNA. It also prevents anemia and cancerous mutations.
[ Read: Best Benefits Of Barley For Skin, Hair And Health ]
Leucine
Oatmeal is a much better source of protein than grits, but grits offer higher levels of amino acids such as leucine. According to an issue of the European Journal of Applied Physiology, grits are known to be particularly helpful to athletes and improve their strength and endurance.
Vitamin B-6
Researchers from the University of Maryland Medical Center have stated that health problems such as rheumatoid arthritis and carpal tunnel can be prevented if you regularly consume a good amount of vitamin B-6. It is also helpful in preventing vision problems such as macular degeneration. The B-6 vitamin helps the body to produce mood-enhancing and depression-suppressing serotonin. Both grits and oatmeal are rich sources of vitamin B-6. One cup of grits provides 0.45 mg of vitamin B-6, and one cup of oatmeal provides 0.68 mg of the vitamin. So, both the cereals are good sources of this vitamin.
Fiber
Are you suffering from slow bowel movements? Then, including foods rich in fiber can offer you relief from constipation and related symptoms. When it comes to fiber content, oatmeal is a better source as compared to grits. One cup of cooked oatmeal provides 4 grams of fiber, whereas grits provide only 2 grams.
This is all about the nutritional value of grits vs oatmeal! Thus, by depending upon your need for various nutrients, you can choose either grits or oatmeal for breakfast. Both of these make wholesome breakfasts and make sure you feel full and satisfied without adding to your bulk.
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