Simply put, hominy is corn and/or maize kernels soaked in a lime-water solution, or rye, depending on which side of history you belong to. There is a chemical process that takes place in this setup. The kernels’ hulls loosen up and the corn starts swelling and softening. This is called nixtamalization. The soft dough, masa, in fact, is a result of this same process. You’d find masa in corn tortillas and many other corn-based products in various cultures worldwide.
# Gluten-freeHominy is gluten-free, making it a fantastic choice for those on the lookout for such options in their diet. Canned hominy is naturally free from gluten. As we now know, hominy is rich in carbs, making it a good energy source. It is also suitable for those with celiac diseases.
# Vitamin bHominy is very rich in vitamin b. But why is that? Well, the bioavailability of the vitamin is promoted through its treatment in an alkaline solution. Post nixtamalization, a more readily bound form of the vitamin is obtained by the body. Vitamin b, of course, has several benefits, from preventing diseases caused by a lack of nutrients to helping energy production and red blood cell creation in the human body.
# Not too many caloriesHominy doesn’t skimp on the amount of nutrition that it provides, but that doesn’t mean that it has a lot of calories to account for the same. As we now know, one cup has around 119-120 calories. In addition, it also has substantial fiber that keeps the stomach full for significant periods of time.
# Not too much sugarWe know a lot of food nutrients and other elements that are there in one cup of hominy. But what about sugar, that great bane of nutrition? Turns out this is no reason for worry, for one cup of hominy, has only 3 grams of sugar. Sugar in excess has an undeniably adverse impact on our health, and so much of our modern diet of junk food, beverages, and other foods have sugar. This makes hominy a healthy alternative, and its lack of sugar also means one could lower their chances of suffering obesity and diabetes.
# Fiber contentWe have a daily requirement for any and all healthy nutrients and other elements, which includes fiber. The nutritional value of hominy skyrockets when we know that one cup has a whopping 4 grams of fiber. If combined with another fiber-heavy dish such as Mexican posole, we are on our way to having a legitimate superfood. Fiber has too many health benefits, some of which are controlling appetite, regulating digestive health and blood sugar levels, and managing weight.