Posted on 08/24/2020 9:33:52 AM PDT by Red Badger
Grits are a popular dish widely consumed across the Southern United States.
They’re made from dried, ground corn (Maize) cooked in various liquids — including water, milk, or broth — until the mix reaches a thick, creamy, porridge-like consistency.
While grits are incredibly popular, many people wonder whether they’re good for you.
This article reviews grits, including their nutrition, benefits, and whether they’re healthy.
What are grits?
Grits are a popular Southern American dish made from crushed or ground corn.
They’re most commonly served as a breakfast or side dish and usually made from a variety of corn called dent corn, which has a softer, starchy kernel (1).
The crushed corn granules are typically cooked in either hot water, milk, or broth until they reach a thick yet creamy consistency that is similar to porridge.
Grits are often paired with flavorful ingredients, such as butter, sugar, syrups, cheeses, and meats like bacon, shrimp, and catfish.
You can purchase several varieties of grits, including:
Stone-ground. These are made from whole, dried corn kernels that are coarsely ground in a mill. This type is harder to find in grocery stores because it has a short shelf life and takes 30–60 minutes to cook on the stove (2). Hominy. These are made from corn kernels soaked in an alkali solution to soften the tough pericarp (outer shell or hull). The pericarp is rinsed, then removed, and the corn kernels undergo further processing to make hominy (3Trusted Source). Quick and regular. These types undergo processing, which involves removing the pericarp and germ (nutrient-rich embryo), so they have a longer shelf life. Regular versions are medium ground while quick are finely ground (2). Instant. This precooked, dehydrated version has had both the pericarp and germ removed. They’re widely available in grocery stores.
Summary:
Grits are a popular Southern American dish made from ground, dried corn. They are typically cooked in milk, water, or broth until they reach a thick, creamy consistency.
Grits nutrition facts
Grits contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
One cup (257 grams) of cooked, regular grits provides the following nutrients (4):
Calories: 182
Protein: 4 grams
Fat: 1 gram
Carbs: 38 grams
Fiber: 2 grams
Folate: 25% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)
Thiamine: 18% of the RDI
Niacin: 13% of the RDI
Riboflavin: 12% of the RDI
Iron: 8% of the RDI
Vitamin B6: 7% of the RDI
Magnesium: 5% of the RDI
Zinc: 4% of the RDI
Phosphorus: 4% of the RDI
What’s most impressive about grits is that they’re high in iron, which is essential for red blood cell production. They also include many B vitamins, such as folate and thiamine, as well as trace amounts of potassium, pantothenic acid, calcium, and vitamin E (5Trusted Source).
However, regular versions contain fewer vitamins and minerals — like calcium and vitamins A and C — than the stone-ground varieties made from whole corn kernels (4).
That’s because they undergo several stages of processing, which removes nutritious parts of the corn like the pericarp and germ (2).
Summary:
Grits provide a variety of nutrients and are especially high in iron and B vitamins. Stone-ground varieties are more nutritious, as they don’t have the pericarp and germ removed.
Yep!
Anyone that makes grits sweet by ANY means is not truly southern...lol... and I’ve never seen grits cooked in milk. My favorite grits are with butter, cheese, salt and pepper. Also, I hate runny grits. Like them semi-solid...nothing like cream of wheat...sigh
Great food to diet with as they are very filling!
That is one really good recipe.
Well said. Cheese grits are good.
When I tried Grits for the first time back in North Carolina, I couldn’t put enough stuff on them to make them edible to me.
A buddy of mine loves Grits with Butter and Maple Syrup. I put that stuff on Pancakes and Waffles. To each his own.
The place I go to for Breakfast gives you a dinner plate sized Pancake that is the best one I’ve had my entire Life.
They also serve Breakfast all day long. Heaven on Earth.
I’ve eaten grits just about every which way you can, even Polenta (Italian Grits!) and with cottage cheese!.....................
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polenta
Polenta! Italian Grits!..........................
Absolutely horrible, disgusting southern “dish”
Cream of wheat made from corn instead. I like em.
Not if it’s done right....................
I love Grits!
Corn Muffins and Corn Bread rock.
Butter them up and it’s Yum Yum City.
May I amend?
“(Yankees and furriners)”
(Yankees and other furriners)
Several years ago, I had some with Gouda Cheese. Larapin!
If you are Country, grits are food. If you are Western, GRITS is a song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOWjX4BpC24
The late George Carlin had a routine with a guy was served grits in a diner. “What’s this?” he asked the waiter. “Grits.”
“I think they’re moving.”
GOOD DAY SIR AND OR MADAM. ISAIDGOODDAY!
You should try garlic cheese grits...yum!
If you are a Yankee, grits is a sandpaper...................
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