The health benefits and harms of semolina porridge. Harm of semolina porridge

Health 01/23/2018

Dear readers, many will agree with me - semolina was an integral part of our childhood. And that’s why it’s so surprising that this familiar dish has now suddenly begun to cause so much controversy and discussion. Experts often disagree about the benefits and harms of semolina. So why has the attitude towards her changed so much, what is more in her - good or bad? Although in childhood, everyone had different attitudes towards semolina porridge - some loved it, others, on the contrary, could not stand it. And, as it turned out, this dish is truly ambiguous.

Previously, all the negativity about semolina porridge was associated with lumps, which many people do not like in it. Today new information has appeared that we did not have before. Let us remember that semolina is a cereal made from wheat. Wheat grains are highly crushed, and the result is familiar to everyone. semolina, the basis of semolina porridge. Other cereals are also made from wheat grains, which you can read about on the blog -. But how different are these two products?

Semolina differs by grade, namely: hard grade (grade T), soft grade (M) and mixed grade (MT). Durum wheat grains are suitable for minced meat, soup, and sweet dishes. M grade semolina is suitable for pancakes and porridge, which we will talk about.

Composition and calorie content of semolina porridge

To understand the benefits of semolina porridge, you need to look at its composition. Most of all per 100 g there are carbohydrates - 70 g, fairly little protein - about 10 g and very little fat - 1 g. It cannot be said that semolina porridge has a rich composition, but it still contains some valuable components:

vitamins E, B1, B2, B6, B9, PP;
minerals - potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, chromium, etc.;
alimentary fiber.

Compared to other cereals, semolina is not so rich in its composition. It has some protein and fiber, but also contains a large amount of starch. It is thanks to him that it is so filling and quick to prepare.

The calorie content of semolina in the form of dry cereal is 360 kcal per 100 g. The calorie content of semolina porridge with milk is 98 kcal/100 g. If it is boiled in water, it contains about 80 kcal.

Despite all the controversy, beneficial features Semolina porridge still has them.

For digestion

This is the only type of porridge for which only the lower intestine is suitable for digestion and absorption. At the same time, semolina helps cleanse the intestines of mucus and excess fat. Because of this, semolina porridge is a dietary dish in the diet of those who suffer from gastrointestinal diseases.

It is good for digestion, relieves pain and spasms, and heals minor intestinal injuries. Semolina porridge with water (no salt and no sugar) is recommended for gastritis, ulcers and various digestive disorders.

To cleanse and restore the body

To cleanse the body of decay products, it is recommended to eat semolina porridge in the morning. In addition, the dish will be useful in the diet of those who have undergone surgery. The porridge is perfectly (almost completely) digestible and does not contain much fiber. Therefore, during illness, this simple and affordable dish will provide the necessary energy and support the body. Semolina porridge will also give you strength when chronic fatigue.

For kidney diseases

Since semolina porridge has so little protein, it is useful for kidney diseases. It is recommended for chronic renal failure.

For the elderly

In older people, semolina porridge can reduce the risk of intestinal cancer. Another useful property is that it does not allow blood cells to lose valuable minerals.

For weight loss

Semolina porridge, especially cooked in water, is a low-calorie product, but still filling. In a diet for weight loss, semolina is useful because it cleanses the intestines of fats and mucus. At overweight she acts as dietary dish(but it must be prepared without adding oil, salt, sugar, spices, etc.), which is consumed 2 times a week.

To get rid of extra pounds, there is also a mono-diet based on semolina. Course - a week, semolina porridge is eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Have dinner no later than 19:00, drink sufficient quantity water. A serving of porridge is 200-250 g. Although you need to understand that such a strict diet is not suitable for everyone, in addition, in order to resort to it, there must be no problems with digestion.

The benefits and harms of semolina porridge for children

They say different things about semolina porridge for children. It used to be a real traditional children's product. Today, experts do not recommend giving semolina to children under one and a half years old. Porridge should be introduced into the diet gradually and the child should not be fed it often.

Semolina porridge contains gluten. It can cause allergies, and such cases are not uncommon. In children, this compound affects the intestinal mucosa, making it thinner. This is dangerous because useful material absorbed less well with food.

In addition to gluten, semolina contains the compound phytin. It inhibits the absorption of calcium by the body. For a growing child, calcium is very important, and a deficiency of this element is dangerous due to weakened immunity, rickets, and nervous system disorders.

But at the same time, semolina porridge is a good source of energy for children. In addition, the minerals and vitamins of semolina will be useful for growth, even if there are not so many of them. In porridge in not large quantities there's even folic acid, necessary for the formation of the child’s body. It is only important to give children semolina porridge in moderation, infrequently and in small portions.

Semolina porridge in questions and answers

Does semolina strengthen bones?

No, it does not strengthen. Semolina porridge contains phytins, substances that bind calcium and prevent it from being absorbed. Therefore, you should not overuse porridge - due to a lack of calcium, bones can become more fragile. Pediatricians do not recommend the early introduction of semolina porridge into a child’s diet. You can give it after one and a half years and little by little, not every day. In addition to impaired calcium absorption, impaired iron absorption may also occur.

Daily consumption of semolina porridge can cause not only rickets in a child, but also iron deficiency anemia.

Is semolina porridge contraindicated for older people?

No, it is not contraindicated. It is still a gentle product, despite its calcium-binding properties. Because the gastrointestinal tract If older people are sensitive to rough food, then semolina porridge is recommended for them.

Should semolina porridge be cooked until the water or milk is absorbed into the cereal?

No, after the water has boiled and the cereal has been poured in, you need to cook for only 1-2 minutes, then remove from the stove so that the water (milk) is absorbed without the heat. If you overcook the porridge, it will turn into starch, all the vitamins will be destroyed, and all the beneficial properties of the product will be lost.

Is semolina porridge with water healthier than with milk?

Porridge made with water is no healthier than porridge made with milk, because milk reduces glycemic index porridge. Glucose absorption occurs more slowly and in smaller quantities. Therefore, for older people and those who have diabetes 2 types, porridge with milk is preferable. In addition, semolina is not very rich in useful substances, and milk complements its composition, and the porridge becomes more valuable product. It is worth cooking porridge with water for those who have digestive problems or who do not tolerate cow's milk well.

Material taken from the program “About the Most Important Thing,” November 2011.

Harm of semolina porridge

Semolina porridge contains gluten, which can cause an allergic reaction and disrupt normal digestion.

You should also eat semolina porridge in moderation because of the phytin it contains. This compound can lead to calcium and iron deficiency in the body.

Elderly people may be at risk of osteoporosis if they overuse semolina.

If a person has asthma, semolina porridge is undesirable in his diet because it differs high content starch.

To make semolina porridge satisfying and tasty, you need to adhere to simple recipe. The ideal proportions of semolina and water (milk) are 1:10. The semolina, stirring constantly, is poured into the already boiling liquid in a thin stream. You can immediately add sugar to taste. After this, you need to cook the semolina, stirring, for no more than 5 minutes. Then remove from heat and close the lid to let the porridge steep for 5-10 minutes.

If you cook the porridge correctly, without stopping stirring, it will be without lumps. If desired, you can add butter, honey, raisins, jam, cinnamon, etc. to it.

If you cook semolina porridge for more than 5 minutes, it can turn into starch, that is, into pure carbohydrates. It is better to cook semolina in milk - it will lower the glycemic index and enrich the dish with valuable amino acids.

This video contains information about the benefits and harms of semolina porridge, advice from medical experts and a simple recipe from the chef.

How to select and store semolina

To make semolina porridge tasty, nutritious and healthy, you need to choose the right cereal. It should be uniform, white and slightly yellowish, without lumps or foreign inclusions. The smell should be neutral, without mustiness. If you buy prepackaged semolina, shake the bag - the cereal should be free-flowing and not stick together. Weighed semolina has a greater chance of becoming damp if stored improperly.

Look carefully at the semolina - it should not contain any pests. Bugs and food moths love semolina. Of course, such a product is not worth buying.

Suitable for home storage of cereals dark place, better ventilated. High humidity is harmful to semolina. You can store it in a sealed glass container or in special sealed food containers. Semolina can be stored for 7 to 10 months.

Semolina porridge is as controversial as it is familiar. But the truth, apparently, as always, is somewhere in the middle - it cannot be called unambiguously useful or equally harmful for everyone. You need to eat it in accordance with your condition, taking into account the benefits and harm that it can bring to health. And then there is every chance to make the most of its beneficial properties, but at the same time avoid the problems that it can create if used excessively or incorrectly.

And a well-known theme will sound for the mood Love story. And admire the watercolor tenderness of the flowers.

23 comments

Arsyn
17 Feb 2018 at 1:04

Answer

The benefits and harms of semolina porridge have been studied not so long ago, but actively. The main conclusions that the researchers came to:

The benefits of semolina are unconditional for adults and children.
The product will not cause harm if eaten in moderation.
But babies under one year old better porridge do not give (it is better to play it safe despite the fact that there are a lot of positive reviews on the Internet).

What is semolina made from?

Semolina appears during the processing of wheat grains into flour. Larger particles are sifted out - this is semolina. Grinding the grains removes fat and fiber from the product. The quality and color of semolina depends on the varieties of wheat: hard, soft or a mixture of both.

The grade is indicated on the packaging:

The letter "M" means that soft varieties were used. The semolina swells well, the grains stick together.
The letter “T” stands for hard varieties. The porridge swells worse, remains crumbly, but retains more beneficial properties.
“MT” is a mixture of 4 parts soft and 1 part hard varieties.

Composition and calorie content of semolina

For one serving take 1-2 tbsp. l. dry cereal (20–25 g). This amount of dry semolina contains:

60–80 kcal;
2.5 g proteins;
0.2 g fat;
20 g carbohydrates.

A serving of unflavored semolina cooked in water contains 80 kcal. Milk adds 10–20 kcal to this figure. It should be noted that 10 g of butter contains 70 kcal, and 10 g of sugar contains 25 kcal.

What are the benefits of semolina porridge?

For adults

Is there any benefit to semolina porridge? This is a gentle product, useful for gastrointestinal problems. It contains almost no fiber, so it is easily digested by the intestines. Cleanses the intestines and stomach well. One of the beneficial properties - high potassium content - strengthens the heart.

Semolina for breakfast will keep an adult full until lunch (4–5 hours). It will benefit those who limit protein intake, for example, those with kidney disease.

For the elderly

Benefits of semolina porridge in old age:

removes “bad” cells from the intestines, preventing the development of tumors;
heals stomach ulcers;
has the ability to absorb toxins;
helps to recover after operations;
gives strength for chronic fatigue and weakness;
contains almost no protein, so it is beneficial for kidney failure (people with this disease protein products cause harm);
Suitable if you have dental problems and solid foods cause discomfort.

Attention! Older people have a hard time with allergies. You should be careful: the gliadin protein contained in semolina often becomes its cause.

Is it possible for pregnant and lactating women to eat semolina porridge?

What are the benefits of semolina porridge for pregnant women? There are a number of important properties:

100% digestible.
Gives energy.
Does not bloat the intestines.
Thanks to potassium, it strengthens the heart, which benefits the mother and the fetus.
Strengthens blood vessels.
Useful for increased acidity and other disorders of the stomach.

The harm of semolina is associated with its calorie content. This is important for control excess weight. Another dangerous property semolina: phytic acid removes substances important for the baby.

Semolina porridge for breastfeeding It won't cause any harm if you eat a little of it.

Semolina porridge with milk will be much more beneficial for women who are breastfeeding than with water.

Semolina porridge for children

The benefits and harms of semolina porridge for the health of children cause a lot of controversy. The only undeniable benefit: potassium (190 mg per 100 g of product), magnesium (50 mg per 100 g of product) are necessary for the heart.

Semolina has more properties that can cause harm:

phytins remove beneficial substances;
regular use increases weight;
hard to digest.

Cereals contain a high percentage of phytic acid. This substance is not processed by the body and is excreted useful minerals, macroelements (iron, calcium). Children who do not get enough iron and calcium may develop anemia and rickets. Therefore, it is better not to abuse cereals, even healthy ones: semolina, rice, oatmeal, corn. Pediatricians do not recommend preparing them for children every day.

Semolina is a hearty meal. It should not be given to an overweight child. If the weight, on the contrary, is not large enough, its properties will be beneficial.

Important! Semolina contains a lot of gluten. Some children may be intolerant to this protein. You can give a little semolina 1-2 times a week to children only from one and a half years old.

It is worth considering the features of the unformed child's body. Semolina for babies is difficult to digest - gases appear.

Semolina one month old baby strictly prohibited - he is fed only milk.

Semolina porridge for weight loss

The benefits of semolina for the figure in mono-diets (based on one product) depend on the addition of fruits, berries, dietary meat, and vegetables. There is only semolina without any useful supplements it is forbidden. This diet should not be followed for more than 5 days.

Sometimes food restrictions are accompanied by disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract. Semolina porridge for breakfast, thanks to its enveloping properties, will soothe the stomach.

The calorie content of semolina porridge per 100 grams (without any flavoring additives) is 80 kcal. Cow's milk does not greatly increase the energy value of semolina porridge. Starch is much more nutritious.

During a low-carb diet, it is better to avoid semolina.

Features of the use of semolina for certain diseases

For pancreatitis

Useful properties of semolina porridge:

soft texture;
does not cause bloating;
strengthens if diarrhea bothers you.

When the disease worsens, semolina is boiled in water or milk very diluted with water. Consume a few days after severe pain(food is prohibited in acute conditions) several spoons. When the acute phase is over, healthy semolina is added to various dishes: casseroles, puddings, meatballs, soups.

For gastritis

Useful properties for gastritis:

enveloping the stomach, soothes pain;
healing for the intestines: heals wounds;
cleanses of “accumulations” in the form of toxins, fats, mucus, without causing harm to other organs.

For diabetes

The benefits of semolina porridge for the body are determined correct use, therefore, in case of diabetes, it is minimized or eliminated completely. Semolina contains a large amount of carbohydrates, which are prohibited for people with increased level glucose.

But a small amount of porridge has the property of causing a feeling of fullness. Therefore, patients with diabetes in a non-exacerbated form can eat a few spoons in addition to their main food.

It is allowed to add unsweetened fruits, berries, and vegetables to the porridge. “Ready” semolina instant cooking should be excluded. Due to the abundance of sugar and chemical additives, even semi-finished products fortified with vitamins do more harm than good.

Semolina for face

The beneficial properties of semolina, such as its delicate texture and the presence of grains, are used for gentle peeling.

It nourishes the skin, tightens it, smooths out wrinkles, and evens out the facial contour.
If you have acne, semolina will gently cleanse the skin of impurities and dry out inflammation.
Vitamins E, B1, B6 nourish dry skin and give the face a fresh color.
The grains massage the tissues, improving blood circulation.

Important! If there are cracks or wounds on the skin, semolina can cause irritation and cause harm.

Scrub

To prepare the scrub: 1 tbsp. l. semolina is mixed with a few grams of vegetable oil. Next, apply, massage, rest for 15 minutes, and wash. Use this peeling method a couple of times a month.

Cream

You can prepare a healthy nourishing night cream: 3 tbsp. l. Boil cereals in milk, strain through several layers of gauze, add a few drops of shea butter, a little essential oil roses. Store in a sealed container for no more than a week.

Anti-wrinkle mask

For anti-wrinkle mask 1 tbsp. l. the finished semolina is mixed with a few drops of coconut oil, 0.5 tsp. cocoa. Apply a mask to a steamed and then cleansed face and wash off after 5 minutes. Use the product every other day. The benefits will appear within a week.

Firming mask

Add 1 tsp to the prepared semolina (several spoons). cream. Apply to face for 15 minutes, massaging for the first 5 minutes, then rinse.

Do not apply masks to the delicate skin under the eyes.

How to cook semolina porridge correctly

To preserve the maximum amount of vitamins in the porridge and preserve its beneficial properties, it should not be boiled. It will turn into pure starch, which does not bring any benefit. It is enough to boil the semolina for 1-2 minutes and let it “simmer” without fire. The porridge will absorb the remaining liquid without losing its beneficial properties.

Pour in the cereal little by little after the liquid boils. The entire cooking time, you need to quickly stir the porridge, avoiding lumps. When the cereal is just poured in, it is better to create a “whirlpool” with a spoon. This will prevent the grains from sticking together. After turning off the fire, immediately cover with a lid. It does not allow the liquid to evaporate, so the porridge on top will not dry out and a film will not appear on its surface.

Recipe for semolina porridge on water

Proportions: 1 part semolina - 4-5 parts water.

Cook for no more than 2 minutes. and remove, leaving covered for 10 minutes. You can first heat the cereal in oil, then pour in boiled water.

Recipe for semolina porridge with milk

Benefits of semolina porridge with milk:

milk “fills” it with amino acids;
increases the nutritional properties of porridge without greatly increasing the calorie content;
Cooking semolina with milk makes its texture even more delicate and beneficial for the gastrointestinal tract.

Only those who are intolerant to dairy products should avoid milk. Without milk, porridge loses most of its beneficial properties.

Advice! Milk slows down the absorption of glucose. At high sugar in the blood to prevent diabetes, semolina is cooked only in milk.

Recipe for semolina with milk:

1 part semolina;
4 parts milk.

Before adding milk, you can heat a little butter and fry the cereal in it for several minutes, stirring constantly. Semolina will have yellow tint and a cookie taste. After this, pour in the milk and cook as described in the first option. You can sweeten it with honey, sugar, jam, add cinnamon, this will bring additional benefits.

Is it possible to eat semolina porridge every day?

Semolina porridge for children will be harmful if fed daily. Adults are allowed to eat it constantly, but no more than 5 days in a row. You should supplement the dish with vegetables, fruits, and meat to get everything necessary for the body substances.

It must be remembered that semolina tends to remove calcium and magnesium, therefore, in order not to cause harm to the body, it is eaten in small portions for breakfast and lunch. For starters, you can prepare healthy semolina soup. Adding sweets and fats will greatly increase the calorie content. Carbohydrates are not recommended for dinner, so it is better to limit or eliminate semolina at this time.

Harm of semolina porridge

The inability to absorb certain substances is transmitted genetically. These include gluten. In this case, semolina (and other products containing gluten) are abandoned for life. People with brittle bones should limit it.

Who should not eat semolina porridge?

Semolina is harmful:

one-year-old children;
for gluten intolerance;
for diabetes;
for obesity;
people with brittle bones;
for those who suffer from constipation.

How to select and store semolina

Semolina quickly deteriorates, moths and worms appear in it. It's worth shaking it and checking it sometimes. Store in a tightly closed, dry container.

A spoiled product causes great harm. When buying semolina, pay attention to some signs:

Fresh semolina has a uniform white or light yellow color.
The grains should be the same size, not gather in lumps, and not stick together when pressed. It is better to choose brands in transparent packaging.
There shouldn't be any smell.
Even in closed packaging, cereals cannot be stored for longer than 9 months.

Advice! If the beneficial enveloping properties of cereal come first, it is better to pay attention to packages with the letter “M”. These are soft varieties. If you need a crumbly structure, durum semolina is suitable.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of semolina porridge are still not fully understood. If you remember about its fairly high calorie content and recommendations for use by children, then you can painlessly and beneficially introduce semolina into the diet.

Additional information about the dangers and benefits of semolina porridge can be obtained from the video:

6 month old children. Mothers followed these recommendations. As a result, several generations of children grew up frequently eating this product. However, in recent decades, the views of pediatricians and gastroenterologists have changed dramatically, and semolina porridge is no longer considered a food suitable for feeding young children.

Essentially, semolina is ground wheat.

Semolina consists of small particles of the endosperm of wheat grains, in other words, semolina is ground wheat. The size of the grains varies between 0.2-0.6 mm. Semolina is obtained from soft, durum and mixed varieties of wheat. Only soft grains are suitable for porridge. “Hard” cereals are added to soups, cutlets, casseroles, etc.

Composition of cereals

Semolina contains more than two dozen useful components necessary for the normal functioning of the body.

For 100 g of semolina there is:

67.4 g of carbohydrates (the main part of them is starch);
14 g water;
10.3 g protein;
just one gram of fat.

Semolina also contains ash substances, vitamins (PP, E, B2, B6, B1, folic acid), microelements (potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, fluorine, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, silicon, etc.).

However, when compared with other cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal, rice), it turns out that in terms of the content of microelements and vitamins, semolina “loses” to them by 3-5 times.

Beneficial features

Semolina porridge is easily absorbed by the child's body and has a high energy value. Thanks to fast way preparation, all the beneficial substances contained in it are preserved unchanged.

Semolina porridge is considered a dietary dish:

in children and adults;
at ;
for gastrointestinal diseases;
V recovery period after surgery.

However, pediatricians and gastroenterologists recommend introducing semolina into the diet of healthy children only after one year. Children 1-3 years old are allowed to include this porridge in the menu once every 10 days (no more often!). Schoolchildren can eat this dish 2-3 times a week.

Benefits of semolina:

Strengthening of cardio-vascular system due to the presence of magnesium and potassium.
and folic acid normalize the functioning of the nervous system.
Silicon and calcium strengthen the condition of the skeletal system.
The carbohydrates in semolina porridge are quickly absorbed, saturating the child’s body with energy.
Semolina porridge has a beneficial effect on the condition of the stomach, enveloping its walls and relieving spasms, etc.

Harm of semolina porridge for a child

For children school age It is allowed to eat semolina porridge 2-3 times a week, for preschoolers - less often (1-2 times every 7-10 days).

According to recent studies, semolina porridge can be harmful to a child for several reasons:

High phytin content. This substance “binds” calcium, preventing it from entering the blood. An insufficient amount of calcium salts is compensated by the body from bone and muscular systems. In other words, if you regularly feed your child semolina porridge, the risk of developing calcium deficiency increases. This could have a negative impact on everyone's work. internal organs. In some cases, there is a disruption in the functioning of the heart muscle, a deterioration in blood clotting, and the appearance of signs of rickets and convulsions. Negatively affects frequent use semolina porridge and on the activity of the immune system.
Semolina contains a large amount of gluten - a vegetable protein. Increasingly, gluten intolerance is being reported in children (). This disease is usually inherited and is characterized by thinning of the intestinal mucosa, impaired absorption nutrients. Pathological symptoms It is not gluten itself that causes the disease, but one of its fractions, gliadin. Regular entry of this substance into the gastrointestinal tract leads to the death of intestinal villi. As a result, the child develops digestive problems and develops gastrointestinal diseases (, etc.). Even children who do not have celiac disease can develop a gluten allergy.

Recipe

Rules for preparing semolina porridge:

Boil 200 ml of water.
Pour 2 tablespoons of cereal into boiling water in a thin stream, stirring constantly.

The optimal ratio of semolina and water is 1:10.

Cook the porridge for 7-10 minutes.

Important! Semolina porridge cannot be digested, since all the beneficial substances are absent in the digested product.

Add 100 ml of hot milk, salt, sugar, dried fruits, butter to taste.

You don’t have to add dried fruits, but mix the finished porridge with mashed banana, grated banana or pear.

Summary for parents

Semolina porridge should not be given to babies under one year of age. Children from 1 to 3 years old can consume this dish to a limited extent. Semolina will not cause any harm to schoolchildren. But for a number of diseases, this porridge is indispensable as a dietary dish.

Pediatrician E. O. Komarovsky speaks about the benefits and harms of semolina porridge for children:

Entire generations have grown up on this porridge, known to every person, so most of us associate it with the taste of childhood. Some people still adore semolina porridge, remembering how delicious our mothers and grandmothers made it: with butter, sugar, or flavored with their favorite homemade jam. Others, on the contrary, cannot stand it. Such a negative attitude towards this dish is also not surprising. Many have not forgotten feeding in kindergartens, where semolina porridge was often served with disgusting hard lumps and an unattractive film on the cooling surface. But if we leave aside the incompetent kindergarten cooks, there is no doubt that the Russian people have always held semolina porridge in high esteem. Previously, it was introduced into the diet of babies, starting at the age of six months. However, in Lately this simple and accessible dish has lost its authority, so many people modern generation began to treat him ambiguously. Reports began to appear throughout the media that a number of pediatricians consider semolina (unlike buckwheat, rice, oats, barley) not only a completely useless cereal, but even for some children harmful product nutrition. For this reason, the concerns of many parents who are trying to find an answer to two essential questions are understandable. What are the benefits and harms of semolina porridge for human health? Can I feed it to my children?

Semolina among grain crops

Most people, when purchasing semolina in a store, do not even think about its origin. Meanwhile, semolina is not an independent agricultural crop, but a by-product that is formed after grinding wheat grains to grains with a diameter of 0.25 - 0.75 mm. If hard wheat grains were used for grinding, then the packages with semolina are marked “T”, if soft varieties are marked “M”, if their mixture is marked “MT”. For cooking semolina porridge, cereals with the abbreviation “M” are best suited. Due to the absence of grains outer shell many even call this ground grain flour. Solid and mixed varieties of semolina are mainly used for making pies, pancakes, dumplings, puddings, and casseroles. In Rus', semolina is used as by-product Wheat processing began to be carried out quite a long time ago, but in those days it was considered a delicacy. Traditional Russian dishes that are widely known today, such as Mannik pie or Guryev porridge, were served only to the rich and aristocrats. And only in Soviet time received semolina wide use, as a cheap and widely available product. For many decades, semolina porridge has been the personification of nourishing and nutritious breakfast, so parents often persuaded their children to eat more of it: “for mom, for dad, for grandma...”. Soviet pediatricians also did not lag behind in popularizing this simple dish. The fact is that in the USSR there were very strict standards for the weight gain of children in preschool institutions and pioneer camps. If any group of kindergarteners or schoolchildren on vacation has lost weight, this is bad sign. In order to gain the missing kilograms, they began to intensively push almost double portions of semolina porridge into the children who had lost weight. Perhaps it is precisely because of this force-feeding that many people still have a persistent aversion to this dish. However, semolina coped with its task quite well, so it is not surprising that during the years of Soviet power it was a symbol of energy, strength and good health.

Composition and calorie content of semolina porridge

When it comes to the benefits of this or that plant product, then first of all pay attention to its vitamin and mineral composition. But in semolina it is not as rich as other cereals. Therefore, recently there has been an opinion that semolina porridge is not particularly valuable. According to modern food research, the concentration of beneficial components in ground wheat grains is significantly reduced. And when cooking porridge from semolina, when the cereal is subjected to heat treatment, a significant part is also lost biologically active substances. However, semolina contains vitamins A, E, PP, B1, B2, B6, B9. From the mineral series one can highlight the presence of potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, chlorine, and sulfur. Fats and proteins are presented in small quantities, but what this cereal really has a lot of is carbohydrates - almost 70 grams per 100 grams of product. It is their presence that makes semolina porridge so satisfying. However, not only that.

The calorie content of semolina porridge cooked in water is small - about 80 kcal per 100 grams. However, such a dish turns out tasteless, sticky, viscous consistency, unattractive gray, therefore more suitable for patients with gastritis or peptic ulcer as healing food. Other people prefer to cook semolina porridge with milk, salt and sugar, followed by the addition of butter, honey or jam. It is quite natural that the calorie content of the dish then increases significantly and can reach 150 - 200 kcal. But, in general, according to nutritional value Semolina porridge occupies one of the lowest places in comparison with porridges of other popular cereals (buckwheat, millet, oatmeal, rice).

Beneficial features

Despite everything, semolina porridge still cannot be called completely useless food, after all, it’s not for nothing that it used to be a part of the daily diet of both children and adults. As already mentioned, 2/3 of semolina consists of starch, and complex carbohydrates- well-known sources of energy for our body. A morning bowl of semolina porridge will increase a child’s energy activity and increase the performance of an adult at least for the first half of the day.

One more important property of semolina should be noted: after heat treatment there is practically no dietary fiber- fiber. Semolina passes through the digestive organs, as they say, in transit, enveloping the gastrointestinal tract along the way and clearing it of excess mucous accumulations. And digestion, absorption and assimilation of porridge from this cereal occurs only in lower section human intestines. Thanks to its enveloping effect and high digestibility, semolina porridge is very useful to consume not only in children and the elderly, but also for people who have problems with the stomach, intestines, chewing food, as well as for those who are undergoing rehabilitation after serious illnesses and complex operations. By the way, due to the low protein content, semolina porridge is recommended to be included in the diet of patients suffering from chronic renal failure and those who need to follow a special protein-free diet.

Semolina porridge is also supported by the fact that it cooks very quickly, but many people, rushing to work, lack time to prepare breakfast. In addition, semolina is inexpensive, so any family, even those with low material income, can afford to cook porridge from this grain.

Finally, among the positive properties of semolina porridge we can perhaps include its low calorie content, especially for those who want to get rid of extra pounds. However, to lose weight, this dish must be cooked in water without oil, salt and sugar, which makes it very tasteless. Therefore, a diet based on semolina porridge is not as popular as compared to diets based on buckwheat or oatmeal. Only very strong-willed people can withstand such a limited diet, and this diet is more suitable for those with a sweet tooth. Its essence is simple. It is necessary to consume exclusively semolina porridge daily, adding one fresh fruit (apple, orange or grapefruit) to the diet for breakfast, 4 dried fruits (dried apricots, figs or prunes) for lunch, and one tablespoon of condensed milk for dinner. It is not recommended to “sit” on a semolina diet for more than 7 days. Otherwise, the body will experience a severe deficiency of proteins and fats, which can negatively affect the health of a person losing weight.

Is there any harm from semolina porridge?

What shortcomings have experts discovered in this popular food among many people? For an adult, practically none, but as for children, some results of modern researchers food products alarming. First of all, most nutritionists and pediatricians categorically do not recommend that parents give their child semolina porridge every day. Even worse is to replace formulas for feeding babies with it. There are quite serious reasons for this assertion.

Firstly, you should pay attention to increased content in semolina starch. Yes, carbohydrates charge the body with energy, but their excess leads to the fact that the child begins to gain weight by leaps and bounds. And if you consider that there are few vitamins and minerals left in semolina porridge, then the child’s body loses the ability to fully develop. As a result, the child may experience a decrease in immunity or vitamin deficiency, up to the development of rickets.

Secondly, semolina contains phytin, an organophosphorus substance that has the ability to bind calcium salts. Phytin has the insidious ability to negatively change the intestinal environment, therefore overuse semolina porridge can cause the cells of the child’s body to stop absorbing pure calcium. And when there is a deficiency of this microelement, it begins to be “washed out” from the bones and from there enters the blood, and not from the intestines. The consequences of a lack of calcium in a child’s body are very dire: muscle hypotonia, cramps, spasmophilia, poor blood clotting, abnormal development of the musculoskeletal system.

Thirdly, we must not forget that semolina is nothing more than ground wheat. And the grains of this cereal contain gluten protein, which is unsafe for children’s bodies, which is also called gluten. In addition to the fact that this protein can cause allergic reactions, if gluten regularly gets into the child’s digestive organs, it can damage the villi located on the intestinal mucosa, which interferes with the absorption of most nutrients. As a result, the risk of developing such serious illness, such as gluten enteropathy (celiac disease). If a child who is constantly stuffed with semolina porridge experiences loose, profuse stools, lack of weight gain, abdominal pain, sweating, pallor, and strange skin rashes, then this should seriously alert parents.

Modern young mothers and fathers, having read about harmful properties semolina porridge, they may be perplexed: why was this controversial dish previously safely included in the menu of kindergartens and schools? Probably because the world has changed a lot over the past decades. Poor environmental conditions, the emergence of previously unknown viruses and allergens, and unpredictable genetic modifications have led to the fact that many children today are born weakened and very sensitive to food intake, which was considered safe in earlier times. Of course, today's young parents shouldn't be too scared. negative qualities semolina porridge, but it still doesn’t hurt to remember them.

How to cook semolina porridge correctly?

Of course, our mothers and grandmothers can easily answer this simple question. But many modern young housewives who have taken up making semolina porridge for the first time often end up with lumps, in the form of a liquid “smudge,” or a very thick, frozen consistency in which a teaspoon can easily stand. As a rule, the main mistake is failure to comply with the appropriate proportions of the amount of liquid and semolina used for cooking. To make the porridge medium thick, you need to take 3 tablespoons of cereal per 500 milliliters of water or milk. For those who like thinner porridge, the amount of semolina can be slightly reduced; for those who prefer thicker porridge, the amount of semolina can be increased accordingly. The second important rule: semolina should be poured only into boiling liquid. The third mandatory point: to avoid the appearance of lumps, the porridge must be stirred constantly. Semolina cooks very quickly, so don’t leave the stove while cooking porridge. Thus, young housewives can make sure that there are no special wisdom or cunning secrets for cooking this porridge.

Classic semolina porridge

Ingredients:
Semolina – 3 tablespoons;
Water – 200 milliliters;
Milk – 300 milliliters;
Salt – 1/3 teaspoon;
Sugar – teaspoon;
Butter – 50 grams.

Cooking method. Mix milk with water, place the container on the stove, bring almost to a boil, add salt and sugar. Just before the liquid begins to boil, add the semolina in a thin stream, stirring constantly to prevent the formation of lumps. The ideal option is to disperse the semolina over the boiling liquid through a sieve. Cook the porridge for no longer than 3 - 4 minutes, continuing to stir vigorously. Then turn off the stove, close the container with a lid and wrap it in a towel for 10 minutes, where, under the influence of steam, the grains of semolina will swell very quickly and the porridge will be ready. When serving, put a piece of butter in the dish, and if desired, you can add additional ingredients: jam, honey or dried fruits.

Semolina balls

Ingredients:
Semolina – 150 grams;
Milk – 500 milliliters;
Wheat flour- 2 tablespoons;
Egg- 1 PC.;
Butter – 1 tablespoon;
Additionally: breadcrumbs, vegetable oil for frying.

If, nevertheless, an error occurred in the proportions and the semolina porridge turned out to be too thick, do not be upset. It can be used to prepare meatballs - small round cutlets, which are also called “medallions”. Such meatballs are a wonderful breakfast for the whole family, and especially for children, many of whom do not like semolina porridge. By appearance they are similar to cheesecakes, only their structure is more delicate and airy. And if you serve them with berry or fruit jelly, then it will be a delicious treat for any child.

The traditional recipe for making semolina balls, first of all, involves cooking regular semolina porridge, only with a thicker consistency. After the porridge is cooked, cool it slightly, add butter, egg, flour and knead well. Form balls from the semolina mixture - roll into balls and flatten slightly. Roll the finished semi-finished products in breadcrumbs (you can use semolina itself for this purpose) and fry on vegetable oil on both sides until golden brown. Semolina balls are served with sour cream, fried onions, or sprinkled with sweet sauce.

Guryevskaya porridge

Ingredients:
Semolina – 200 grams;
Milk – 1 liter;
Cream (fat content 35%) – 500 grams;
Granulated sugar – 100 grams;
Nuts (walnuts, peanuts, almonds, etc.) – 200 grams;
Dried fruits (raisins, dried apricots, figs, candied fruits, etc.) – 200 grams;
Butter – 2 tablespoons;
Salt - to taste.

But this dish is one of the masterpieces of traditional Russian cuisine. It was invented in early XIX century Zakhar Kuzmin - serf cook of the finance minister Russian Empire Dmitry Guryev. There is historical information that the king adored this dish Alexander III Therefore, Guryev porridge was often called the imperial dish. Also, this porridge is often mentioned in the works of the famous Russian everyday life writer of Moscow V. Gilyarovsky. He noted that the rich nobility of the Mother See specially visited Moscow taverns so that, along with the famous pies, crayfish soup and roast pig, they would definitely try Guryev’s porridge. Unlike ordinary semolina porridge, when preparing this multi-layered dish you will need to show patience and hard work, but if you follow everything the necessary conditions, you will get an exquisite delicacy dish.

Cooking method

First you need to prepare the components for the layer of the famous dessert. You will need to pour boiling water over the dried fruits for 10 minutes, and fry the chopped nuts in a frying pan with the addition of a tablespoon of water and sugar so that they caramelize.

Then you will need to cook classic semolina porridge in milk with the addition of salt and sugar. The porridge should be quite thick. Grease the frying pan butter, put half of the semolina porridge on it, place on top all the fried nuts and the bulk of the dried fruits (about 150 g).

Now comes the turn of the most labor-intensive process - preparing and removing creamy foam (kaimak). Pour the cream into another frying pan, place it in the oven, preheated to 160°, and periodically carefully remove the fluffy foam that forms on the cream with a slotted spoon. Kaymak is laid out on a layer of semolina porridge with nuts and dried fruits already placed on it. The more foam is skimmed off, the more delicious the dish will be.

After all the layers (porridge, nuts, dried fruits, foam) have been collected, the second half of the porridge is placed on them. The dish is sprinkled with the remaining dried fruits and sugar and placed in the oven, where it simmers for 20 minutes until a beautiful caramel crust forms. Before serving, you can decorate the dessert with fresh fruits or berries.

Well, despite the controversial opinion about the benefits and harms of semolina porridge for human health, most housewives still continue to prepare this popular dish. For many people this dish is still identified with hearty breakfast And good health, which is what we wish for everyone!

The tasty dish is associated with first feeding, kindergarten, and lumps. Some people adore porridge even at an advanced age, while others cannot stand it since childhood. Despite the conflicting opinions, cereals are still often discussed at the same time about the benefits and harms of semolina porridge.

Small cereals are made from the kernels of wheat grains, which contain useful substances and energy donated by the sun. The type of cereal represented on the bags by letter designations depends on the starch and gluten content.

T is an indicator of core hardness. Semolina is suitable for making desserts and added to soups.
M - means a high gluten content, which is indispensable for preparing casseroles and viscous porridges.
MT – combined varieties.

Semolina: benefit or harm

The beneficial properties of semolina are determined by chemical composition. There is little fiber in it, but it contains carbohydrates. The grains are rich in vitamins E, PP, thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine. The fact of the content also speaks in favor of semolina minerals: calcium, zinc, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, iron, magnesium, potassium, essential for the heart. However, in quantitative terms they are inferior to buckwheat and other cereals.

What you should know

Carbohydrates and gluten are the main components that allow us to judge the benefits and harms of semolina. There are plenty of them in cereals. Overweight people can sometimes treat themselves to a dish in the morning, if they do not use full-fat milk as a base, in the form of jam, nuts, or butter. The calorie content and benefits of semolina porridge do not depend on wheat cereal(96 kcal/100 g), namely due to products that flavor the taste. Semolina porridge will be useful for adults if the cereal is cooked in water without ingredients that enhance gastronomic sensations. Otherwise, the calorie content will reach 320 kcal.

Harm of semolina porridge

Any product can be both useful and provoke unpleasant symptoms. What is harmful about semolina porridge for children? allergic reactions for milk, gluten. Vegetable protein sometimes leads to the development of celiac disease. It depletes the intestinal mucosa, which subsequently prevents the full absorption of nutrients. With the exception of negative reactions for protein and lactose, cereal is still considered a low-allergenic product.

There is a lot of discussion on the topic of phytin contained in cereals. Can semolina porridge be useful for adults and children if it interferes with the absorption of calcium and iron? For a developing organism, a lack of calcium leads to rickets or spasmophilia, abnormalities in the functioning of the heart muscle. For these reasons, it is recommended to start complementary feeding with vegetable puree. However, when balanced menu the same phytin increases appetite and strengthens the body when exhausted. This means that it is necessary to include daily menu more dairy products.

What are the benefits of semolina porridge?

Semolina porridge for adults is supported by the fact that the dish forms the basis therapeutic diet for gastrointestinal diseases. It is included in the diet after surgical intervention on digestive organs, because one of the beneficial properties of semolina porridge is the ability of the product to be quickly digested and absorbed into the intestines. In these cases, you need to cook it in water. The benefit of semolina is that it:

Envelops the stomach and helps restore the mucous membrane.
Relieves painful spasms during gastritis, soothes irritated intestines.
Gently rids the body of mucus.
It is highly digestible.

These beneficial properties of semolina porridge are indispensable during a prolonged illness, because... the body receives the necessary energy and nutrients:

Folic acid is essential for female body, and the usefulness of semolina porridge with water during pregnancy has been repeatedly proven.
For kidney diseases, a diet without proteins is often prescribed, and it is recommended to start the day with healthy semolina porridge.

Useful properties of semolina

No matter how much the supporters scold the dish proper nutrition, but the benefits of semolina porridge with milk are recognized in Tibetan medicine. Adults are strongly recommended to include it in the menu, because... Calcium will contribute to the strength of teeth, nails, bones, and hair. With constant use, it is easy to gain extra pounds, but this can be avoided if:

change your taste habits;
give up sugar and butter;
add 1-2 tablespoons of wheat bran to it;

The benefits of semolina porridge with milk will be obvious. The number of calories will slightly exceed 100 kcal/100 g, but will allow you to forget about snacking.

Bran retains almost all its beneficial components. The processed cereal is poor in fiber, so the components from the grain shell will restore its deficiency and become an absorbent for the body. Cleansing will prevent:

development of colon cancer;
the occurrence of hemorrhoids;
will increase the usefulness of semolina porridge.

The bran will absorb water from the tissues, swell and, moving through the intestines, rid it of toxins. People during periods of exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases should avoid adding dietary fiber so as not to irritate the mucous membrane.

What are the benefits of semolina porridge for children?

Children's doctors talk about the growing body's need for large amounts of calcium, macro and microelements. For this purpose, it is recommended to eat up to 200 g of dairy products daily. The usefulness of semolina porridge is that, in combination with milk, the child replenishes the reserves necessary for the development of the musculoskeletal system. There are many technologies for preparing cereal dishes, and if someone does not like viscous porridge, it can be replaced with a casserole, pudding, or added sour cream, cottage cheese with berries, or ice cream as a sauce. And then semolina will benefit the body.

To preserve all the beneficial properties of semolina, it must be cooked correctly. First, the cereal should be washed. This will not only remove defective fragments, but will eliminate the prospect of lumps forming. Semolina is added to the boiling liquid with vigorous stirring. It is enough to cook for 6-7 minutes and leave on the stove for 5 minutes. Bon appetit!