When you hear the words “cake flour”, what do you think of first? Do you think “mmmmm, cake…” or do you think “hmm, I wonder if cake flour is healthy?” If you’re like us, maybe it’s a little of each.
First, some basics… Cake flour is milled from soft wheat flour, which is known to have more calories, carbs, fats, protein, fiber, and cholesterol. If you are looking to determine the nutritional value of cake flour, it is essential to note that each cake flour brand has varying dietary values, so check the label before buying.
Every person consumes cake flour at one point in life as it is the main ingredient when baking goods such as muffins, cakes, and pies. It is also used when you want to batter meat, seafood, or vegetables. However, the question on everyone’s mind is, what is the nutritional value of cake flour, and is it healthy? Read on and get all the answers to your questions.
Nutritional Value in Cake Flour
Each cake flour brand has varying nutritional value, so check on the labeling, compare, and choose the one fit for your needs. It is estimated that a single cup of cake flour contains approximately 455 calories, but the chances of consuming all those calories are slim as it is mixed with other ingredients. Data released by USDA show that bleached cake flour is a good source of riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, and selenium. It is also said to contain the following minerals; copper, zinc, iron, ad phosphorus.
One cup of cake flour has the following:
- Calories: 455 calories
- Carbs: 95.49 total carbs and 92g net carbs
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Protein: 9 g
- Sugars: 0.3 g
- Fats: 1.2 g
- Fiber: 3.4 g
Is Cake Flour Healthy?
Cake flour is not very healthy as it has very little nutritional value. It has high levels of calories and carbohydrates and low levels of fiber, protein, and vitamins, essential for our bodies. Cake flour undergoes bleaching, which is done using chlorine gas, and it is during this process, it is stripped of all the nutrients, such as the bran and germ. Your flour is left only with the endosperm, which is starchy.
When the flour is bleached, it enhances the gluten but eliminates all the other nutrients. For instance, fiber has many benefits in our bodies, including a lower mortality rate. A study conducted by researchers and doctors in North and South America found that the way factories are processing wheat and gluten is why many tend to have gluten reactions, otherwise referred to as gluten sensitivity.
Cake flour can also lead to insulin spikes. This is because products that have undergone bleaching have higher levels of carbohydrates than whole grain flour. For instance, compared to whole wheat flour, cake flour has more carbs and low fiber. Foods with low net carbs help in regulating your blood sugar and have fewer insulin spikes. So when you eat baked goods made with cake flour, you have high chances of spiking your insulin levels, which can cause inflammation.
Does Cake Flour Contain Additives?
You will find several additives in baking flours. These include dough conditioners, yeast, and ascorbic. You may be wondering, why should flours have additives? This is because they work together to give you your perfect end product. However, the number of additives that should be present in flours is limited. The most common additives in flour include ascorbic and alpha-amylase, which help standardize the flour, allowing it to bake more consistently.
Bleached cake flour has additives as it is treated using chlorine gas; thus, some amounts of chlorine are retained in the flour.
Unbleached Cake flour has no artificial additives and is GMO-free. It is organic and does not have any preservatives; thus must be refrigerated to maintain its freshness. However, you will be required to add baking powder when baking anything that needs self-rising flour.
Does Cake Flour Help With Weight Loss?
Yes. It depends on your eating patterns. A study conducted on cake eating found that people who eat cake while feeling guilty lose less weight than those who ate while celebrating. Do not starve yourself off wheat all in the name that it is more carb and calories packed; eat in moderation.
For instance, if you eat cake then deprive yourself for the next three to four days, chances are you will stuff yourself. And this is unhealthy and leads to weight gain since your body will take time to digest.
And if you are on a diet, a cheat meal, the cake can help you achieve your weight loss goals faster. This is because a cheat meal boosts your metabolism by increasing leptins, which tricks your body into thinking that food is plentiful, prompting your body to burn more fat.
Is Cake Flour Easy To Digest?
No.
Cake flour is used in many recipes, and it is hugely impacting our health. Rarely a week does go by without consuming a product made from cake flour; this may be pizza, quickbreads, donuts, muffins, or cake. These baked goods are highly tempting due to the array of flavors, but they are not suitable for your health and digestive system. Therefore, people must understand why cake flour is not for our health and should be consumed in moderation.
When cake flour is being processed, the endosperm and bran are removed, which are crucial for your digestion. Besides, all the essential nutrients, such as fiber and vitamins, are stripped off during bleaching. And this denies your body some of the most healthy and life-promoting vitamins, dietary fiber, and vitamins. Cake flour is also referred to as “glue of the gut” because lack of fiber makes it congest your digestive system, thus slowing down digestion. So please do not make a habit of consuming cake flour-made products as they may lead to conditions like fatty liver, weight gain, stress, headaches, mood swings, and obesity.
Summing Up
Cake flour helps bake some of the yummiest desserts and snacks, but if you are not careful and consume them in moderation, you might find yourself gaining weight or developing other diseases that could have been avoided. It’s also good to note that cake flour is usually stripped of all the essential nutrients, making it a bad choice of flour for your health.
