If you are looking for a healthy alternative for the all-purpose flour, semolina flour is what you should choose. It is very healthy for your body. You can use it without worrying about weight gain and the associated health issues. First of all let us see what semolina flour is.
What is Semolina Flour?
Semolina flour is usually used to make pasta, pizza crusts, breads and so on. It is made from ground durum wheat and the color of this flour is slightly more yellow than the color of the all-purpose flour. It does not contain cholesterol, saturated fats or trans fat. So, this flour is healthy for the body. It is low in fat and contains protein in high amounts. It also has low glycemic index. This makes it great for diabetic patients as well as for those who are on weight loss programme. It is rich in many of the nutrients required by the body. So, including it in your daily diet can keep you healthy and away from various diseases.
Benefits of Semolina Flour:
Boosts body functions:
Being rich in minerals, vitamins and other nutrients, semolina flour is good for boosting many body functions. It supports the functioning of the kidneys and the heart. It is also effective for making sure that the muscles function in a smooth manner. Phosphorous present in this flour is effective for metabolizing energy. Magnesium present keeps your bones and teeth, as well as the nerve cells and muscle sheath healthy.
Helps diabetics:
Semolina flour is an excellent choice for patients suffering from diabetes as it has low glycemic index. Compared to white flour, semolina flour is digested and absorbed in the stomach and intestine very slowly. This way the diabetic patients are able to control their blood sugar in a better way as rapid fluctuations in levels of blood glucose are prevented.
Helps in weight loss:
When the food you consume is digested and absorbed at a slower rate, you feel full for a longer time than when the food is digested fast. This makes it very beneficial for you when you are on a weight loss plan. Consuming semolina flour helps in suppressing your appetite. This means that you feel less hungry and you need not have to snack between meals too often.
Provides antioxidants:
Semolina contains selenium. Selenium is an important antioxidant and helps in preventing oxidation of the cell membranes and DNA. If the oxidation of cell membranes and DNA takes place, it can lead to a variety of diseases and ailments. It can even make you suffer from heart disease. Getting adequate selenium in your body is important for making your immune system stronger. This in turn helps in preventing infection. One serving of this flour gives you 37 micrograms of selenium. This is two-thirds of the selenium that you need per day.
Provides balance to diets:
Semolina flour is rich in many of the important nutrients required by the body. Fibre, Vitamin E, Vitamin B-complex etc are found in high quantities in semolina flour. It is also zero in fat, saturated fat and trans fat. Cholesterol and sodium are found in low quantities in this flour. It is also rich in many minerals. All these make semolina flour a balanced diet for you.
Provides energy:
Carbohydrates are present in semolina flour. This is important for the production of energy in your body. This makes it one of the ideal foods for those who need high energy. Remember that while semolina flour is high in carbohydrates, it is low in fat.
Prevents high cholesterol:
Semolina is low in fat and cholesterol. So, consuming this food is good for preventing high cholesterol in the body. It is also devoid of trans fatty acids and saturated fats. This also helps in the prevention of high cholesterol. So, you can lower your cholesterol levels and prevent any other complications by including semolina in your regular diet.
Prevents iron deficiency:
Consuming semolina flour can help in providing your body with good amount of iron as it is rich in iron. 1 cup of this flour provides you with 8% of the iron that you need daily. Iron is essential for the production of haemoglobin in the blood. It is the haemoglobin that helps in providing oxygen to all cells in your body. It prevents iron deficiency that can make your immune system weak and make you suffer from fatigue and tiredness.
So, you can see that semolina has lots of benefits. So, it will be a good idea to replace white flour with semolina flour. It is rich in many nutrients and this makes it one of the important foods for your family. It can boost your immune system and prevent various diseases and illnesses.
How to Use Semolina Flour in your Diet?
You can use semolina flour in your diet in a number of ways. Here are some of the ways that you can use this flour.
- For thickening soups and strew you can use semolina flour. It imparts a great flavor to the dish you prepare and gives you the consistency that you need. You may also use it for gravies.
- Replace white flour with semolina flour when you make cakes, biscuits, cookies, breads and other baked foods. This way you can make sure that you get the important nutrients to keep your body healthy and free from many diseases.
- Use semolina flour to make pasta and pizza. If you make pasta and pizza very often at home, then it is better that you use semolina flour instead of the all-purpose flour. This ensures that you remain healthy and free from disease.
