Grits are made of dried kernels of corn. The hull and germ are removed, producing hominy, a food Native Americans have eaten for thousands of years, according to the University of South Carolina's "South Carolina by Food" publication. Hominy is then ground into grits, which are boiled in water and served as a breakfast cereal or side dish. Oatmeal is made from harvested oat grain. Once the hull is removed, the oats are either ground into steel-cut oats or rolled for a quick-cooking oatmeal. Nutritionists often praise oatmeal for being high in fiber, low in calories and rich in vitamins, minerals and protein, but you can also get nutritional benefits from eating enriched grits for breakfast.
Calories and Fat
A cup of cooked grits contains 182 calories and 1 gram of fat, giving you 9 calories from fat. Although the same amount of cooked oatmeal has 166 calories, it contains 3 grams of fat per serving, increasing the amount of fat calories to 27. 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. Sprinkling a calorie-free sugar substitute or a pinch of cinnamon onto your cereal can flavor your cereal while keeping it nutritious.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, getting an ample amount of vitamin B-6 may help prevent carpal tunnel, rheumatoid arthritis or vision problems, such as macular degeneration. B-6 aids your body's production of serotonin, a chemical that may enhance your mood or even prevent depression. The Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board recommends that adults get 1.1 to 1.4 milligrams of vitamin B-6 per day. A cup of enriched cooked grits gives you .46 milligrams of vitamin B-6, while the same amount of oatmeal contains .68 milligrams, so both cereals are rich sources of this nutrient.
Enriched grits are a good source of folate, a B vitamin that helps your body produce DNA, keeps new cells healthy and may prevent cancer and anemia. The average adult needs 400 micrograms of folate per day, according to the Institute of Medicine, but to reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly, a pregnant woman needs 600. A cup of grits gives you 98 micrograms of folate, more than five times the amount that oatmeal provides.
Nutrition For Athletes
Grits may be more beneficial than oatmeal to athletes. A cup of grits contains 38 grams of carbohydrates, which can keep you energized throughout strenuous activities, while a cup of oatmeal provides 27 grams. Grits are a richer source of leusine, an amino acid that, according to the American Society for Nutritional Sciences, may enhance muscle endurance and help your body store glycogen, a polysaccharide that gives your muscles energy.
Articles For Your Diet
- USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Corn Grits
- Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine: Dietary Reference Intakes: Estimated Average Requirements
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B6
- American Society for Nutritional Sciences: The Role of Leucine in the Regulation of Protein Metabolism
- University of South Carolina: Key Ingredients: South Carolina by Food
- corn image by dragan veselinov from Fotolia.com