Tag: Polenta nutrition

Polenta, a staple of Northern Italian cuisine, is a creamy dish made from boiled cornmeal. On average, a 100g serving of polenta cooked with water contains approximately 85-100 calories, making it a relatively low-calorie base for meals. This versatile and comforting food prompts many to ask: is polenta considered healthy?

A 3/4-cup serving (125g) of plain polenta, cooked simply with water, contains approximately 80-100 calories, revealing that there is not an inherently large amount of calories in polenta itself. The ultimate calorie count of this versatile Italian staple depends heavily on preparation techniques and ingredients added during or after cooking.

Polenta is a naturally gluten-free grain, rich in complex carbohydrates and fiber. However, the 'creamy' aspect, often achieved with butter, milk, or cheese, can significantly alter its nutritional makeup. The question remains: is creamy polenta healthy, or does the added richness compromise its benefits?

According to Healthline, a 125-gram serving of plain cooked polenta contains approximately 2 grams of protein. This modest amount provides a starting point for understanding how much protein is in one cup of polenta and how its nutritional profile can be enhanced through various cooking methods and additions.

Over 200 million people worldwide consume corn, the grain from which polenta is derived, as a dietary staple, highlighting its widespread nutritional importance. This naturally gluten-free dish provides sustained energy and antioxidants, making you wonder, **is it good to eat polenta?**.