How Many Calories Are in Cornbread?

When it comes to Southern delicacies, you can’t end the conversation without mentioning cornbread – a buttery side dish that leaves you wanting more.

Originated from the Native Americans, who used cornbread locally grown corn to make a type of flatbread. This cornbread became an important part of the diet for many tribes. This delightful bread can be a way to connect with one’s heritage or to experience a taste of southern culture.[1]

Although considered a healthier alternative, many are still unaware of how many calories are in this little piece of heaven.

Let’s take a look at the nutritional value of cornbread and uncover the truth about how many calories are in this Southern classic.

What is cornbread?

Primarily made from cornmeal, ground dried corn, cornbread is typically served as a side dish to meals like chili, soups, or stews.

Cornbread comes in varying textures – dense and crumbly or light and fluffy like that of a cloud. The texture depends on the recipe and methods used.

Cornbread’s versatility doesn’t end on its texture – this bread can also be made sweet or savory, depending on the addition of ingredients such as sugar, honey, or savory herbs and spices.

However, a typical cornbread includes ingredients like eggs, baking powder, all-purpose flour, and oil.

With no yeast, unlike usual bread, cornbread is fast to rise and easy to cook.

There are many different ways to prepare cornbread, including in a skillet, baking pan, or even a Dutch oven.

This delicacy can be served warm, hot, or at room temperature. To add more taste, some individuals also like to add things like bacon, cheese, or jalapenos.

Nutrients

The nutrients in cornbread primarily depend on the ingredients used to make it and the recipe used.

However, the USDA has emphasized what a one piece of cornbread (60 grams) normally contains:[1]

Calories: 198

Protein: 4 grams

Fat: 6 grams

Carbs: 33 grams

Fiber: 1.5 grams

Phosphorus: 19% of the Daily Value (DV)

Sodium: 16% of the DV

Selenium: 10% of the DV

Thiamine: 10% of the DV

Niacin: 8% of the DV

Folate: 8% of the DV

Riboflavin: 8% of the DV

Iron: 6% of the DV

Vitamin B12: 6% of the DV

Calcium: 6% of the DV

Phosphorus, a mineral essential for strong bones and teeth, cell growth and repair, metabolism, and kidney and nerve function, is in abundance in cornbread.[2]

Moreover, cornbread includes thiamine, niacin, folate, and riboflavin among other B vitamins. All of these nutrients are essential for protein synthesis, healthy skin, cell growth and development (especially during pregnancy), immune system strength, and brain function.[3]

Advantages of cornbread consumption

Eating cornbread may have a number of benefits, including:

Nutritional value: Cornbread is a wonderful source of fiber and carbohydrates, which can provide you with energy and keep your digestive system in good shape. Additionally, it has several necessary vitamins and minerals including phosphorus (20% of the DV) and B vitamins [5] .

Low in fat and cholesterol: Since cornbread normally has low fat and cholesterol levels, it is a wonderful option for those aiming to follow a healthy diet.[6]

Cornbread is a great alternative for those who are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease because it is produced with gluten-free cornmeal.[7]

Versatility: Cornbread can be prepared in a variety of ways, including sweet or savory, as a side dish, or as the foundation for other dishes like cornbread stuffing.

Affordable: Making cornbread is quite inexpensive because it only requires a few basic, low-cost ingredients.

It’s important to keep in mind that many of the advantages of cornbread might change based on the recipe and cooking technique. For instance, cornbread may include more calories and fat if additional components like butter or sugar are used to make it.

Disadvantages of cornbread consumption:

While cornbread can be a delightful and healthy component of a balanced diet, there are a few potential drawbacks to take into account:

Cornbread is considered a refined grain; refined grains have been linked to higher levels of inflammation and blood sugar, and low fiber. [8]

Cornbread has a lot of carbohydrates, thus eating a lot of it might increase your calorie intake and possibly make you gain weight. More importantly, individuals with diabetes need to carefully monitor intake.[9]

Cornbread may be high in sodium. Some store-bought or restaurant-made cornbread could be rich in salt, which if ingested in big quantities can lead to high blood pressure and other health problems.[10]

Although cornmeal is gluten-free, certain cornbread recipes may use gluten-containing ingredients such as wheat flour, making them incompatible with gluten-free diets. This includes those who have celiac disease or gluten intolerance.[11]

However, these downsides can be prevented through a recipe that follows a balanced diet and monitoring your intake. This includes making the cornbread from scratch or hunting for a mix that uses whole grain rather than refines grain.