Is Cream Of Wheat Good For You?

There is something so wholesome and cozy about a hearty breakfast porridge. Sure, they may not be the flashiest option on the menu. It's hard to compete with a fluffy short stack of pancakes soaked in syrup. Or the classic sizzling bacon and egg combo. But for many of us, a breakfast porridge is a quick and slightly nostalgic meal that keeps us full until lunch.

Overnight oats and porridges that resemble the taste of delicious cakes and pies are certainly trending at the moment. However, today we're here to discuss a vintage option in the porridge aisle. Enter Cream of Wheat. According to My Recipes, Cream of Wheat is a type of milled wheat known as farina. Farina is the lighter part of the wheat grain found in the heavier shell exterior of the grain, which explains the porridge's lighter-than-air texture when made properly. And when we say it's the vintage choice for a hot cereal, we mean it. The Cream of Wheat brand dates way back to 1893. Now that we know what this historic hot cereal is made of, we can answer the question on every porridge lover's mind. Is Cream of Wheat good for you? 

From what we can see, Cream of Wheat could easily acquire the nickname "Cream of Nutrients."

Healthline notes that the classic family favorite is rich with niacin, vitamin B6, thiamine, riboflavin, and folate. In addition, the lighter-than-air wheat powder in the box is rich with iron. It's also a hearty way to fill up on a few calories. One cup of cooked Cream of Wheat is 133 calories. Before we let the praise of this long-lasting hot cereal get too high and mighty, there are a few downsides. Those who are gluten intolerant reported symptoms of bloat, nausea, and brain fog after consuming Cream of Wheat. It is also surprisingly high in sodium. One cup of cooked Cream of Wheat contains 25% of the recommended daily intake.

In addition, My Recipes shares that although Cream of Wheat is enriched with calcium carbonate and ferric phosphate, one cup of cooked oatmeal contains more calcium than the smoother-texture option. We also should be aware of our toppings. A bowl of Cream of Wheat inspired by pecan pie or tiramisu is guaranteed to add more calories and fat to the simple bowl of porridge.

The bottom line is that Cream of Wheat is a healthy and tasty option on its own. However, it might not be the best choice if you are watching your sodium intake or have sneaking suspicions that you are gluten intolerant. Breakfast porridges have certainly undergone a trendy makeover lately. But we have a feeling Cream of Wheat will stick around long after this trend has past.