Are waffles good for your health?
There's no denying that waffles are tasty. What if we told you they could also be healthy? With all the refined flour, sugar, butter and syrup, that seems unlikely, right? These days, since everyone is into healthy eating, there are different varieties of waffles made with healthier ingredients that don't compromise on the taste. Think whole-wheat waffles or multigrain waffles. Pairing them up with other ingredients like avocado, cheese or roasted tomatoes can also add to the nutritional benefits.
Health benefits of waffles
Waffles can be good for you in the following ways:
- Instant source of energy
- Keeps the body full for long
- Can be paired up with other ingredients to up the nutritional quotient
- Good source of carbohydrates and fats
Some health and nutritional benefits of whole-grain waffles are:
1. Easier to digest: Whole-wheat waffles are very easy to digest. Sprouted whole-wheat waffles are also full of essential minerals and antioxidants. The vitamin C and vitamin B content in these waffles is also much higher than the ones made with all-purpose flour.
2. Can be paired with other ingredients: Waffles can be made sweet or savoury depending on your liking. Adding healthful ingredients like berries, fruits, cheese, avocado, mushrooms, spinach etc. can prove to be healthy and delicious.
3. Instant source of energy: As waffles are high in carbohydrates, they are an instant source of energy. If it's made with whole-grain flour, it can keep the body full for longer, preventing unhealthy snacking between meals.
Nutritional composition of waffles
Nutritional chart for 1 waffle of 2.6 oz
NUTRITIONAL FACT
| MEASURE
|
Calories
| 218
|
Total fat
| 10.6 g
|
Cholesterol
| 52 mg
|
Sodium
| 383 mg
|
Total carbohydrates
| 24.7 g
|
Dietary fiber
| 0.8 g
|
Sugars
| 13.5 g
|
Protein
| 5.9 g
|
Calcium
| 191 mg
|
Potassium
| 119 mg
|
Alcohol
| 0
|
Iron
| 2 mg
|
Vitamin A
| 173 mg
|
Vitamin C
| < 1 mg
|
How to make waffles healthy
Desserts can be nutritious if you make some healthy swaps, starting with the flour. Waffles are traditionally made of refined flour, which is devoid of nutrients. It's empty calories.
Oat flour waffles: Oats are gluten-free and full of fibre. To make oat waffles, roast oats on a skillet for a few minutes and dry grind it. Use this in place of refined flour.
Almond flour waffles: Another gluten-free option is almond waffles, where you can swap regular flour for almond flour.
Whole wheat waffles: Swapping maida for whole wheat or atta may be a smart choice since wheat offers more nutrients in the form of bran, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and healthy fats.
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