Tortillas are hugely popular – but given the choice between corn and flour what should we chose and why?
Given we want to have good and tasty food but also at the same time want to be healthy, it is important to select ingredients which help us ensure that the new jeans we got last month do not become tight after a few days.
If you’re a fan of Mexican food and want to know how to choose healthier Mexican food at restaurants, you may notice that in the battle of corn v flour tortilla, experts always recommend corn tortillas. Let’s see why.corn tortilla | flour tortilla | |
|---|---|---|
Ingredients | Whole Grain Corns | Flour, Baking powder, Salt and Oil |
Calories | 50 calories | 75-90 calories |
Vitamins | Vitamin A, B-3, B-6, C | Vitamin B1, B2, B9, B3 |
Minerals | Calcium | Iron, Calcium, Magnesium |
While having corn tortillas or making them for that matter – one should bear in mind that you can only get the nutritional value of corn tortillas if you use ‘whole grain corn’ and not ‘degermed corn’.
It is mentioned in the packaging of the corn, regarding its type. Whole grain corns contain the nutritional value and health benefits stated above. But whole grain corns when degermed are stripped of most of their ingredients – fiber, magnesium, vitamin B1, and other vitamins and minerals.
Whole Wheat Tortilla
Is there any option if you want flour tortillas for those big burritos - because let’s be honest, corn tortillas are small and no way can they contain all the ingredients of a burrito. Well actually there is another option – whole wheat tortillas.
In return you will get the necessary nutrients from the whole grain just like corn and at the same time ensure you do not gain those extra calories. Whole wheat tortillas can also help protect us from developing diseases such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
The process of milling used for white flour removes the majority of nutrients including folic acid, iron and fiber. Only a few nutrients are added back into the flour, but the final product is not as nutrient as the whole wheat flour and will not give us the advantage of having whole wheat products. Whole wheat tortillas can be used in any meal – egg wraps or vegetable wraps.
Whole wheat tortillas help in controlling our weight, increase bone health, give antioxidant protection and also ensure our heart health.
Which One Should You Eat?
So in conclusion – what’s better between corn and flour tortillas – hands down, corn tortillas. But if you are an avid fan of the flour tortilla or just want a big burrito instead of small tacos – opt for the whole wheat tortilla, its healthier and better for you and that awesome jeans you got last month.
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