A pancake is a flat cake made from a battery mixture that may include eggs, milk, and butter. When baked, it comes out looking thin and round. However, to make a pancake, there is one crucial ingredient you cannot do without. It is known as ‘Flour’. Flour is the key ingredient that helps the pancake to form. Flour contains a kind of protein called glutenin. This protein can help build the body.
When the flour is in its raw or ground form, the glutenin molecules are not active. Hence their effects are not that pronounced. When you add any liquid substance to the flour, the redundant gluten molecules become active as the flour is no longer dry. But the fact remains that to make your pancake, you need to add liquid to moisten it and make it go under pressure. A dry or raw flour will not make a pancake.
This flour, whether dry or wet, does not have any gluten molecules in it.
Are pancakes gluten-free? Yes, pancakes made with gluten-free flour are in fact, gluten-free pancakes. Not every kind of flour contains this glutenin substance. For instance, gluten-free flour, cassava, or almond flour are all gluten-free.
Technically, since flour contains gluten, this means that your pancake will also have an atom of gluten in it. But, you can also make a gluten-free pancake. You just need to know the right type of flour to use.
Are Gluten-Free Pancakes Healthy?
Pancakes made from gluten-free flours are healthy. Gluten-free pancakes have much fiber in them, and this fiber does not spike your blood sugar level the way a pancake with gluten will likely do. A gluten-free pancake has a mineral called magnesium. This mineral helps to regulate blood pressure.
Pancakes are also rich in calcium, which contributes to developing strong bones. It may not necessarily sound believable to you, but it is true. A pancake serving contains about 250 milligrams of calcium, which is probably half of the calcium you need per day to develop and maintain your bones.
In children, consuming food with calcium means that they grow faster and have better and stronger teeth and bones. So, as they grow, it assists in teeth formation and muscle contractions. An additional health benefit of calcium is that it can help the muscles and nerves in the body function well.
But to enjoy these benefits of gluten-free pancakes, you need to know the right ingredients and flour you should use to make your pancake recipe. Note, you can also use gluten-free maple syrup.
Are Pancakes a Source of Energy?
It’s no secret that pancakes have many carbohydrates in them, and many of us love eating them. These carbohydrates develop the body, making you look healthier. Moreover, carbohydrates also serve as an energy source in the body by giving it the needed amount of fuel for daily functioning. A serving of carbs may contain about 38 grams of carbohydrates. The question now is, are pancakes a source of energy?
Eating pancakes can provide the body with the much-needed energy for daily activities. So, without even taking additional supplements or looking for food with carbs in it, consuming only pancakes can adequately fuel the body. It also helps to regulate blood sugar so that after you eat, you feel energized.
Are Pancakes Fattening?
It is no doubt that pancakes have contained high calories, and although most people do not like the idea of gaining weight, many others do. So, if you are looking to fatten up and want to know if pancakes are fattening?
Well, they most definitely are. With a regular serving of pancakes, you can gain extra weight. If you are looking to load up on that fat and build a thicker body, eating pancakes is a good way to achieve this.
A pancake batter mixture has about 250 calories, with 37 grams of carbs, 8 grams of fat and protein, and around 7 grams of protein. In a serving, you also get about 800 milligrams of fat. So, when you eat more than one pancake, you consume a lot of carbohydrates that will help you gain weight. Even the pancake toppings are high in calories, sugar, and fat, and taking each of them means packing more pounds in the body.
Final Thoughts
- To make a pancake, you need flour because you cannot do without it. But most flour contains gluten, a type of protein. However, there are some gluten-free flours you can use to make your pancake.
- Gluten-free pancakes are a healthy addition to your meal and do not spike your blood sugar level.
- Pancakes contain carbohydrate that fuels the body.
- Freezing your pancake is a great way to make them last longer. However, make sure to free only pancakes with no toppings.
- If you are looking to load up on fat and build a thicker body, pancakes may help you achieve this.