It’s time for cornbread! It’s a Southern classic – rich in flavor and perfect with chili, soup, or stew. You can even enjoy it as a snack by dipping it into your favorite honey or jelly. But is cornbread fattening? The answer may surprise you! It depends on the type of cornbread you are referring to. There are two main types of cornbread: yellow cornmeal (which has more fiber than white) and white cornmeal (which has more carbs). If you’re wondering whether one is healthier than the other, keep reading! We’ll break down both varieties so that you can make an informed decision about which kind is better for your diet.
Is Cornbread Fattening?
The short answer is yes, cornbread is fattening. With a calorie count of over 400 calories per slice, cornbread is not the healthiest of snacks. And, with its high sugar and carb content, it is likely to pack on the pounds. The best way to enjoy this Southern delicacy is in small portions, as a treat or snack.
Why Is Cornbread Fattening?
1. Sugar
Cornbread is high in sugar, which makes it fattening. The average slice of cornbread contains 8 grams of sugar, which adds up to a hefty amount. The American Heart Association recommends that women should consume less than 25 grams of added sugars per day and men should consume less than 35 grams per day. If you’re eating a slice of cornbread every day, that’s over 2 cups worth of added sugars! That’s a lot!
2. White Flour
Cornbread is also made with white flour, which has more carbs than fiber. White flour is made by processing whole wheat into white flour. Whole wheat has more fiber and protein than white flour does, but it also has more carbs – about 30% more carbs in fact. White flour contains no fiber or protein at all only carbs – so it can become a source of empty calories and weight gain if eaten too much.
3. White Flour
Cornbread is also made with white flour, which has more carbs than fiber. White flour is made by processing whole wheat into white flour. Whole wheat has more fiber and protein than white flour does, but it also has more carbs – about 30% more carbs in fact. White flour contains no fiber or protein at all – only carbs – so it can become a source of empty calories and weight gain if eaten too much.
4. Fat
Cornbread is full of fat as well, which adds to its calorie count. Fat has 9 calories per gram, while carbohydrates have 4 calories per gram ). The average slice of cornbread contains 8 grams of fat, which adds up to a whopping 81 calories!
5. Protein
Cornbread is also a great source of protein, which is essential for maintaining muscle mass. Eating a slice of cornbread every day can prevent muscle loss and help you maintain your current weight.
6. Fiber
Cornbread is low in fiber, which makes it fattening because it can cause digestive issues and increase the risk of diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
7. Fructose Corn Syrup
This sweetener is made from cornstarch, which has more calories than sugar. It’s also known as high fructose corn syrup or HFCS. This sweetener is used in almost all processed foods, including soda pop, cookies, cakes, and ice cream. The more processed the food product is, the more likely it is to contain this ingredient. If you’re eating cornbread often enough to go over 2 cups per week or 20 slices per month, you’re likely consuming.
How to Make Cornbread Even Healthier
Replace The All-Purpose Flour With Whole Wheat Flour
There are two schools of thought here: For the best texture, use all-purpose flour, and for the best health, choose whole wheat flour. The thing is, the texture of your cornbread will be different depending on which type of flour you choose, so pick based on your priorities. Whole wheat is higher in fiber and vitamins and minerals than all-purpose flour, so it’s worth the switch if you’re looking for a healthier cornbread. But keep in mind that whole wheat flour is denser than all-purpose flour, so you’ll want to reduce the liquid in the recipe by a tablespoon or two to account for the extra density.
Add A Dash Of Cornmeal For Fiber And Heartiness
Cornbread is typically all about the sweetness, but a little bit of cornmeal can add a hearty note that brings some balance to the sweetness. A tablespoon or two of cornmeal can do the trick! Cornmeal is actually a really good source of fiber, which can lower cholesterol and help control blood sugar. Additionally, the iron in cornmeal is more easily absorbed by the body than that found in other foods, so it’s a great option if you’re looking to boost your iron intake.
Swap Out The Butter For Olive Oil Or Canola Oil
For the most part, you can swap the butter in cornbread recipes for olive oil or canola oil without changing the taste. There are two potential downsides, though. First, you’ll want to make sure you use only a tablespoon or so of oil versus the two cups of butter in the average recipe. You want there to be enough fat to keep the cornbread moist, but not so much that it becomes too greasy and heavy. Second, you might want to keep in mind that while butter is 100% fat, most of it is saturated fat, which can be bad for your health. In comparison, olive oil and canola oil are mostly monounsaturated fats, which are heart-healthy.
Make It With Greek Yogurt Instead Of Eggs
Cornbread is generally made with eggs, but if you’re looking for an egg-free option, Greek yogurt works great! It adds moisture and protein to the bread. Plus, you can use a plain Greek yogurt and add sweetener to it if you’d like to add sweetness to the cornbread. Some recipes call for baking soda as a leavening agent, which you can’t add when using Greek yogurt as a substitution for eggs. If that’s the case, you can add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar instead. It’s a natural substitute that works in the same way as baking soda.
Use Turkey Bacon Instead Of Regular Bacon
If you love the taste of bacon but don’t love how many calories and fat that it has, make the swap to turkey bacon. It’s lower in calories and fat than traditional bacon, but it still has that delicious bacon flavor. Even though turkey bacon is lower in calories and fat than regular bacon, you’ll want to keep in mind that you need to use less since it’s less dense than a slice of bacon. The general rule of thumb is that you’ll want to use about half as much as you would regular bacon, so one slice of turkey bacon should be enough for a 9-inch round of cornbread.
Don’t Forget The Vegetables
Cornbread is usually served as a side dish. If you’re making it as a side dish, you might be inclined to skip the vegetables that would accompany it otherwise. But don’t forget about the vegetables! Cornbread is a grain-based side dish. It contains cornmeal, which is a grain, so it’s important to balance it out with vegetables that are high in fiber. Broccoli, spinach, or zucchini would all make good vegetable choices to accompany your cornbread.
Don’t Be Afraid Of Ranch Dressing!
If you’re looking to make a healthier version of cornbread dressing, feel free to sub out the butter with some canola oil and use low-fat or even fat-free yogurt instead of sour cream. But don’t stop there! There are plenty of other ways to make this dish healthier. You can use cornbread instead of regular bread cubes (though you may want to reduce the amount of cornbread if you’re making a smaller portion size). You can also use a non-stick pan to sauté the vegetables, and instead of scallions and sage, you can use any other herbs you like.
Don’t Skimp On The Spices!
Spices, herbs, and aromatics are super important when it comes to flavoring foods. They’re packed with flavor, but they don’t have many calories if any at all. So don’t skimp on the spices! Common spices that would go well with cornbread include black pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, and ground ginger. You can also experiment with some different herbs, like sage, rosemary, thyme, or parsley.
Final Words
Cornbread is delicious and fattening like any other baked item. The best way to make sure you don’t overindulge is to keep portions and ingredients in check. You can do this by making one small piece of cornbread per person and topping it with your favorite ingredients. You can also make mini cornbread muffins in a mini muffin pan, which are less likely to be overeaten than a large piece of cornbread. If you’re trying to lose weight, it may be a good idea to replace your baked goods with healthy alternatives. You can try substituting cornbread with other baked goods that are less fattening, such as whole wheat bread, oatmeal, or crackers.
