17 Pancakes Nutritional Facts: Health Hazards, Calories And Much More

Do you love pancakes?

If so, you're not alone. Pancakes are a favorite breakfast food for many people and it's not difficult to see why.

Before you indulge in your next stack of pancakes, it's important to be aware of the nutritional value they hold. Pancakes can be high in calories and unhealthy fats, and store-bought pancake mixes can also contain harmful chemicals. So, should you make pancakes a part of your daily diet?

If you're interested to know how much nutrients pancakes can contribute to your diet, read on! In this article, we will discuss the caloric daily value of pancakes and provide tips on how to make healthier versions at home.

Fun Facts About Pancakes

Pancakes are fluffy, shallow fried cakes made with batter. The batter is usually made with milk, eggs, and flour. Pancakes can either be sweet or savory, depending on the ingredients and toppings used.

September 26 is observed as National Pancake Day in the United States. However, did you know that this day is actually celebrated twice every year?

In 2006, IHOP (International House of Pancakes), the famous pancake house created National Pancake Day on March 1. This was to boost the sale of pancakes, with all proceeds going to charity for children battling critical illnesses.

The first-ever pancake pre-mix was rolled out on shelves in 1889 and was developed by the Aunt Jemina brand.

A popular potato pancake dish called Latkes is made during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. These savory pancakes are served with sour cream and applesauce and are extremely delicious!

Nutritional Facts About Pancakes

If you're looking to cut back on calories, then a pancake breakfast may not fit your calorie needs. Two of these flat cakes with butter and maple syrup can set you back 520 calories, which is a quarter of your daily allowance.

A single pancake has around 150-200 calories, with the total fat amounting to 14 g (0.5 oz).

The nutrition information for this quantity of pancakes is 3.2 oz (90 g) of fiber, 0.03 oz (0.8 mg) of sodium, and 0.3 oz (8.3 g) of protein. They also contain vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin B12 in small amounts.

Using wheat flour or oat flour instead of all-purpose white flour can help you reduce the number of calories per pancake, as well as increase dietary fiber.

To decrease saturated fat for a healthy heart, try using non-stick spray or vegetable oil to fry your pancakes instead of butter. Using too much butter can increase your cholesterol, which can increase your risk of heart disease, and will make the pancakes have a high fat content.

On the other hand, pancakes contain ingredients like milk and eggs, which makes them quite high in protein and calcium. This food also contains good levels of potassium, which you can increase by adding bananas, either in the mix or as a topping.

Pancake pre-mixes are usually more processed than homemade pancakes and as a result may have a lower percentage of vitamins and minerals like potassium, iron, and phosphorous.

Bodybuilders and gym enthusiasts can also make special protein pancakes to help them gain muscle. These are a healthier version of the traditional pancake and contain more fiber as well.

Facts About The Origin Of Pancakes

It seems that humans have been enjoying pancakes for centuries! Archeologists have found some prehistoric grinding tools made out of stones, which were most likely used to make flour from plants like ferns and cattails. The flour was then mixed with water and likely cooked on a heated stone, to make a type of flatbread.

The traditional sweet pancakes that we know and love today are believed to have originated in Greece or Rome. The ancient Greeks and Romans ate a type of pancake that they sweetened with honey.

The Elizabethans of England took this one step further and ate them with lavish additions like rosewater, apples, sherry, nuts, and exotic spices. Pancakes were and still are eaten on Pancake Day which is traditionally the last day of feasting before the fasting period of Lent begins.

For the stricter followers of Lent, making pancakes was a great way to finish off all the remaining milk, eggs, and dairy and protein products, as well as have a delicious feast before the upcoming month of fasting.

The ancient Romans called pancakes 'Alita Dolcia' translating to 'another sweet'. It's not difficult to see why, as a second serving of these tempting treats is hard to refuse!

Health Hazard Facts About Pancakes

Pancakes can either be classified as healthy food or as junk food, depending on the ingredients used in its preparation and the amount of vitamins.

A breakfast of fluffy white pancakes, fried with butter and served with fruit and syrup may be seen as filling and hearty, but it can contain a high level of saturated fat and carbohydrates, often more than what is recommended for the average person.

Sweet pancakes, with the addition of maple syrup, may also contain too much sugar. Consuming too much sugar can lead to the risk of diabetes, increase cholesterol and cause a number of heart ailments due to the thickening of artery walls. Not to mention that sugar is extremely calorie-dense, so can contribute to obesity.

People following a low-calorie diet can still include pancakes in their diet by using a low-fat pancake recipe, which makes healthier substitutions but still allows you to savor this tasty treat.

FAQs

Are pancakes healthy for you?

Pancakes are quite high in sodium, carbohydrates, and fat, which is why it is important to eat them as a part of a balanced diet and not to overindulge.

How many calories are in one homemade pancake?

A single homemade pancake can have between 150-200 calories.

How much sugar is in a regular pancake?

A regular pancake has around 0.25 oz (7 gm) of sugar. However, it also contains good nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, protein, carbohydrates, and iron.

Do pancakes make you gain weight?

If eaten in excess then yes, pancakes may cause weight gain, because of the high fat content.

Are pancakes healthier than bread?

It can be difficult to compare the two, as it depends on the types of ingredients used. Anything made with whole grains or wheat, with less sugar, is definitely the healthier choice as it has a higher content of vitamin A and vitamin C, minerals, and fiber and a lower fat content.