Last Updated on September 30, 2024 by Michael Brockbank
I’ve eaten Cream of Wheat since I was little, but I had no idea just how healthy it was until becoming an adult. In today’s instant-gratification world, I now enjoy a bowl of grits almost every morning. It’s a staple than can prove to enhance your health, especially if you take it to new levels.
Health Benefits of Cream of Wheat
One of the biggest problems I had in recent years with developing a weight problem is not eating until dinner. I would then gorge myself all in one sitting. Needless to say, this has screwed up my metabolism and has caused a variety of health issues.
Now, I try to maintain a regular process of monitoring portion sizes throughout the day instead of just one big meal. This has helped me stave off extra weight.
Let’s break down an Original Flavor box of instant Cream of Wheat according to nutrition facts per serving. It has:
- 100 Calories
- Sodium: 170mg
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 3g
- Vitamin A: 25%
- Calcium: 20%
- Iron: 45%
- Thiamin: 40%
- Riboflavin: 35%
- Niacin: 40%
- Vitamin B6: 35%
- Folic Acid: 25%
100 Calories
According to calorie intake, this is one of the best breakfasts to have. While the level of calories increases when you add milk, I usually don’t. With 0 grams of fat, it’s a great way to start the day without being over budget when watching how much you eat.
Sodium
While the human body does need a certain level of sodium to operate efficiently, too much can be extremely bad for you. It often leads to a myriad of heart conditions. Many experts believe that you should keep your sodium levels below 2000mg per day depending on your body type.
Cream of Wheat has an exceptionally low-level of this when compared to the other things you can eat.
Carbohydrates
Too many carbs can quickly turn into fat. However, carbs are also used to create energy within the body. Some forms of carbohydrates may even be responsible for fighting off things such as Type 2 diabetes. The amount of carbs you need to eat will fluctuate with the kind of lifestyle you lead.
For those like myself who spend a great deal of time sitting in front of the computer, you wouldn’t want more than 100g per day. However, someone more active such as a sports enthusiast may want something closer to 150g and up.
It all depends on your daily physical activity when looking for that perfect number for carb intake.
Protein
Proteins are needed for a variety of things in the body. From cell generation to increasing muscle mass, different kinds of proteins are needed to keep the body stable. You can get protein from a variety of foods in varying degrees. Personally, I don’t eat Cream of Wheat for the protein. It’s a benefit, but this component is not my morning focus.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A contributes to a variety of things in the human body. From bone growth to improving the immune system, it’s a component that is beneficial for many aspects of life. It promotes healthy vision while having the capacity to slow down retinal problems within the eyes.
Calcium
Although it’s more noted for its ability to help bone maintenance, calcium is also used by the muscles in your body including the heart.
Some studies even suggest that there may be a link to preventing cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure to calcium. However, there is not enough evidence to state whether this is absolutely true or not.
Iron
Cream of Wheat provides a large portion of iron in a single sitting. It is used by the body to carry oxygen to blood cells. This is imperative to survive as most of your body requires oxygen to function – including the brain. It also plays a role in skin cell regeneration and repair, hair and nails.
Thiamin
Also called vitamin B1, this is another element that has a variety of uses. From helping digestion to increasing energy levels, it’s one of the Swiss Army Knife vitamins of the group. It’s been found to aid against Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss and preventing cervical cancer.
Riboflavin
Also known as vitamin B2, Riboflavin is one of those components that cannot be stored naturally within the human body. This vitamin helps promote energy and needs to be consumed from foods. It also delivers antioxidants to help eliminate particulates in the blood stream that could develop cancerous cells.
Niacin
Commonly known as vitamin B3, niacin has the ability to reduce cholesterol levels to a controllable level – but only at high doses. It can also promote energy for the cells in the body as well as preventing the arteries from hardening.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 helps in maintaining normal nerve functions as well as promoting a healthy brain. It plays a role in developing antibodies for fighting illnesses and the formation of red blood cells.
Folic Acid
As part of the B-vitamins, folic acid assists in creating new cells in the body while preventing existing cells from being mutated. Like many of its other counterparts, this component is ideal for fighting cancers and helps treat some types of anemia.
What Does This Say About Cream of Wheat?
In one meal, you can eat the necessary components to prevent a variety of illnesses while strengthening the body from cancerous growths. Because of the high concentrations of each component in Cream of Wheat, I’m amazed that it’s not on everyone’s shopping list.
Personally, I eat two servings of this per day – which means most of my important vitamins and minerals are covered before the day even starts.
If you really want to get the most out of Cream of Wheat in the mornings, chop up about half of a cup of strawberries or blueberries to add into it. these not only add flavor, but it vastly increases the vitamin counts and antioxidants for a healthier body.
You can add all kinds of things to Cream of Wheat to adjust its taste and health benefit.
Sources: http://www.med-health.net/Benefits-Of-Carbohydrates.html https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-964/vitamin-a https://www.webmd.com/diet/supplement-guide-iron http://www.dummies.com/health/nutrition/how-your-body-turns-carbohydrates-into-energy/ http://www.newhealthguide.org/What-Does-Protein-Do-For-Your-Body.html https://www.nof.org/patients/treatment/calciumvitamin-d/ http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/287228.php https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Thiamin-HealthProfessional/ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Riboflavin-HealthProfessional/ https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/benefits-of-vitamin-b6.aspx https://globalhealing.com/natural-health/9-incredible-health-benefits-of-folate/[template id=”3591″]
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