Graham crackers make for a satisfying snack when drizzled with peanut butter or used as the basis of s’mores – yet their name belies their nutritional content; most are composed of refined wheat flour with only trace amounts of whole grain graham flour present; they contain sugar, oil, leavening agents and salt as ingredients.
Calories
People typically associate graham crackers with peanut butter spread across them or making s’mores, but these long, rectangular-shaped treats can also serve as sweet snacks or desserts – one large rectangle contains only 59 calories! That makes grahams much less calorific than chocolate chip or sugar cookies!
Graham crackers are composed of flour, fats and spices that give their unique taste and texture. Additionally, these biscuits can be enhanced by using sweetening ingredients such as dextrose, molasses or honey for additional sweetness; these additions not only improve taste and texture but may also add visual appeal.
Graham crackers’ key ingredient, graham flour, contains all three parts of a wheat berry: germ, endosperm and bran – although germ and bran may not be ground as finely. Opting for this whole-wheat alternative over traditional white wheat or refined all-purpose varieties will ensure homemade products match commercial products when it comes to flavor and nutrition.
Graham crackers contain small amounts of vitamin C, niacin, riboflavin and thiamin per serving; however, their most significant nutrient is fiber which plays an essential part in keeping you feeling satisfied after each meal.
Fiber
Graham crackers are an excellent source of dietary fiber, essential for digestive health and maintaining an ideal weight. Furthermore, they contain B vitamins which support energy metabolism and nerve function as well as being rich in minerals such as iron and magnesium.
Sylvester Graham created the original graham cracker recipe in 1829 as part of his efforts to promote healthy living, including nutrition. As a Presbyterian minister he encouraged his followers to consume whole grains, fruits and vegetables while avoiding fats, sugar, tea coffee or alcohol consumption.
Graham would likely disapprove of some of the ingredients found in modern-day manufactured graham crackers (such as sugar and shortening), yet they remain popular as healthy snacks. Not only are they naturally high in dietary fiber but they are low in calories, sodium levels and protein as well.
Fat
Graham crackers as an isolated snack may not provide many essential nutrients; their primary ingredients, shortening and sugar, contribute a lot of calories. But eaten in moderation alongside other nutritious food sources (e.g. a bowl of chicken noodle soup), they may provide fiber as well as other important vitamins and minerals.
Graham cracker dough is formed from an extremely thick sheet that is then thinned out with metal gauge rollers into an extremely thin consistency before going through an extensive cooling process that may last several hours or more.
Once graham crackers have set, they can be coated with other ingredients such as sugar or chocolate to add a sweet treat and then placed onto conveyor belts to be cut into their final shapes.
Graham crackers are named for Presbyterian minister Sylvester Graham who created whole wheat flour in the 1830s to discourage people from turning to more refined white flour for baking purposes. Additionally, he promoted healthy lifestyle habits that included eating vegetarian food and seeking self-sufficiency.
Cholesterol
Graham crackers bring campfire memories and S’mores to mind, but they can also make a tasty and crunchy snack for children and adults. Not only are they an excellent source of dietary fiber but certain brands even contain vitamins and minerals – but are graham crackers healthy?
Today’s graham crackers are predominantly composed of refined wheat flour with some whole-grain wheat flour added, sugar, oil and leavening agent as leavening agents; sugar also acts as an leavening agent and salt serves as a leavening agent. While not especially high in calories or saturated fat content, they do not offer much in terms of nutrition.
Graham bread was first created in the 1800s by Presbyterian minister Sylvester Graham to emphasize his pro-health stance and belief that maintaining an ideal diet was vital to morality.
Though modern graham crackers do not compare with their historical predecessor, they can make an excellent source of protein and heart-healthy fats when paired with other healthy food items, like almond or peanut butter for creating easy breakfast sandwiches.
Sugar
Graham crackers are a delicious, crunchy treat that are ideal for snacking or as part of desserts. Graham crackers offer some nutritional fiber, are low in saturated fat, sodium levels and calories compared to their counterparts; however, regular consumption could contribute to weight gain over time.
Graham crackers first originated as whole wheat crackers created in 1829 by Sylvester Graham, a Presbyterian minister with strong moral convictions who advocated healthy living through experimentation with flour; after several failed trials he discovered that using all parts of wheat’s bran, germ, and endosperm produced an appetizing combination that yielded coarsely ground whole wheat flour suitable for eating.
He advised his followers to focus on eating a diet comprised of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables while limiting consumption of white bread (which he termed “trash”), chocolate, tea and coffee beverages and alcohol – however we may disagree with some of his sentiments regarding these items but his philosophy was sound – everything in moderation!
