THE HEALTH BENEFIT OF DIFFERENT PORRIDGES

Porridge is one of my favorite type of food which I have mainly for supper or breakfast due to its richness of nutrients, ranging from vitamins to minerals whose nutrients are obtained from  what is added to make it (eg, fruits/vegetable/grains) and its vital component, milk, makes it very nutritious and delicious.

However, porridge is looked upon as a healthy meal due to its nutritious value; protein, B complex vitamins, potassium and magnesium just to name a few, and yes it is healthy. But on the contrary, it is seen as unhealthy by its high carbohydrates content and the abuse of addition of sugar used to make it, which can cause one to gain unwanted weight when one consumes it , this however, can  simply be prevented by lowering the amount of grains that  is added to make the porridge which  is the factor that contains high amount of carbohydrate – a type of sugar , and reducing  the amount of sugar you put into your porridge.

Although, carbs’ are not sincerely the bad component for our body, but is  really the sugar as carbs’ provide the fiber we need  to help remove undigested food in our colon to keep it clean and healthy, makes it one nutrient that is indispensable for healthy bowel movement and guts health.

Down below is a list of  healthy porridge  and their health benefits one can choose from to add to their life:

 

Oatmeal Porridge.

My no.1 favorite porridge.

Oatmeal porridge is a porridge that is epidemically known. As oats are perceived as one of the most healthiest and available grain in the world. Oats porridge is filled with many nutrients; protein, b complex vitamins, magnesium, iron, selenium and potassium.

Health benefits of oats

• Oats reduce cholesterol levels.
• Repairs damage blood vessels.
•  reduces high blood glucose level and blood pressure.
•  Aids with healthy bones and teeth by its bone’s supplementing contents; phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and vitamin D.

 

Cornmeal Porridge

Porridge is known to be a food that fills/ satisfies one’s hunger quickly. And cornmeal porridge perfectly defines porridge. Cornmeal however, is derived from corn that is grinded finely into powder which is how cornmeal is made.

Cornmeal is rich in vitamin A,  b complex vitamins , carbohydrates, phosphorous and manganeses. Its phosphorous and vitamin A nutrients’ contents aid with building strong bone and improve  immune system while manganese  helps balance hormonal level. Carbohydrates provide a source of energy and give us a feeling of fullness.

Adding dry fruits to this porridge extents its nutrients contents and its flavor.

 

Cassava Porridge

Cassava porridge is commonly known to Trinidad and the Caribbean. The cassava is peeled then finely grated and boiled in water. Which is then added to milk and sugar after its fibrous contents are soften.

 

Cassava is very nutritious, providing fiber, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals. Its high fiber content aids with digestion and its vitamin b17 combats against cancerous cells. However, due to heat which is applied to it during cooking, reduces its nutrients but as little percentage of nutrients is retained, the body still obtains great benefit from it.

 

Eddoes Porridge

 

 

Eddoes also known as taro are also used to make nutritious porridge commonly made in the Caribbean. Eddoes is a root vegetable that is similar to cassava but slimier. However, it contains the same nutritious value as cassava and renders same benefits to the body.

 

Cream of Wheat Porridge.

Cream of wheat is rich in protein, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, selenium and B complex vitamins. Containing a good percentage of iron  which aids the body to produce  red blood cell as iron aids in the formation of hemoglobin – the red pigment found in red blood cell. On the contrary, cream of wheat isn’t favored by gluten intolerant persons as cream of wheat contains gluten because  it is deprived from wheat. Moreover, cream of wheat porridge is very fulling and can prevent one from over eating as it keeps one full for a long period of time. For this reason, it can be used to help manage one’s weight.

There are so many other nutritious porridges  that were not listed in the  list above because porridge can be made  in any  ways  of one’s likeness, and to ensure that you obtain/make  a nutritious  one, try to avoid adding sugars, or use very little sugar as the carbs along  in it, provide a great amount of energy. And how much energy does one need? That’s one question that can only be answered by the amount of metabolic processes that goes on in one’s body.