Grits are a popular breakfast food, especially in the Southern United States. They are made from ground cornmeal and have a creamy, porridge-like texture. Determining how many servings are in 1 cup of grits can help with meal planning and portion control.
What are Grits?
Grits are a food made from corn that has been ground into a coarse meal. This cornmeal is then boiled with water or milk to create a creamy, thick porridge. Grits are often served as a side dish for breakfast foods like eggs, bacon, and sausage.
The most common types of grits are:
- Quick grits – These cook faster because they use finely ground cornmeal. They have a smoother texture.
- Old-fashioned or traditional grits – These use coarsely ground cornmeal so they take longer to cook. They have a heartier, grainier texture.
- Instant grits – These are quick grits that have been pre-cooked then dried so they can be prepared very quickly.
- Whole grain grits – These are made from the whole corn kernel instead of just the endosperm. They contain more fiber and nutrients.
Grits can be flavored either savory or sweet by adding things like cheese, bacon, butter, sugar, or fruit. They are popular in the American South but are eaten all over the country for breakfast.
Nutrition Information in 1 Cup of Grits
The nutrition in grits can vary slightly depending on the brand and preparation method. However, here are the approximate nutrients you would find in a 1 cup serving of plain grits made with water:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 158 |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 34 g |
| Fat | 1 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
As you can see, a 1 cup serving of grits is high in carbohydrates, which comes from the cornmeal they are made from. There is also a small amount of protein and fiber. Most of the calories come from the carbohydrates.
How Many Calories in 1 Cup of Grits
Based on the standard nutrition information, 1 cup of plain grits made with water contains approximately 158 calories.
Of course, what you add to your grits will affect the calorie count:
- Cheese – Adding 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese adds about 115 calories.
- Butter – Adding 1 tablespoon of butter adds about 100 calories.
- Sugar – Adding 1 tablespoon of white sugar adds about 45 calories.
- Milk – Using 1 cup of 2% milk instead of water adds about 105 calories.
So while a plain cup of grits is around 160 calories, it’s easy for the count to go up depending on toppings and preparation.
Determining Servings in 1 Cup of Grits
The number of servings in 1 cup of grits will depend on the serving size you want to use. Here are some common serving sizes for grits:
- 1/2 cup – Using a 1/2 cup serving size, 1 cup of grits would be 2 servings.
- 3/4 cup – With a 3/4 cup serving size, 1 cup of grits would be about 1 1/3 servings.
- 1 cup – Using a full cup as the serving size, 1 cup of grits would equal 1 serving.
The nutrition information on grits packaging is usually based on a 1/2 cup serving size. But you may want smaller or larger servings based on your appetite and meal plans.
Determining Servings Based on Calories
You can also determine servings based on the typical number of calories in a standard serving. General nutrition guidelines recommend the following calorie amounts for meal servings:
- Breakfast – 300 to 500 calories per serving
- Lunch – 400 to 600 calories per serving
- Dinner – 500 to 800 calories per serving
Since 1 cup of plain grits is around 160 calories, it would take about 3 servings (3 cups) to reach 500 calories, which is a typical breakfast serving size. So if you were serving grits for breakfast, 1 cup could reasonably feed about 3 people.
What Impacts the Number of Servings?
There are a few factors that can impact the number of servings you get from 1 cup of grits:
- Additions – Adding higher calorie ingredients like cheese or bacon will increase the calories per serving and decrease the number of servings.
- Serving size – The serving size you use (1/2 cup, 1 cup, etc.) will affect how many servings are in a cup.
- Cooking method – Using milk or cream instead of water adds calories and richness, which may mean smaller serving sizes.
- Appetites – Larger, hungry people may need more generous servings to feel satisfied.
In general, plain grits made with water will have more modest serving sizes, while richer, cheesier grits may have smaller serving sizes of around 1/2 cup.
Tips for Serving Grits
Here are some tips for successfully serving grits:
- Use a consistency you like – Cook grits to your desired thickness. More water = thinner grits. Less water = thicker, creamier grits.
- Season them well – Grits tend to be bland on their own. Use salt, pepper, herbs, spices, cheese, etc to add lots of flavor.
- Make them creamy – Consider using milk, half and half, or cream instead of water for ultra creamy grits.
- Try mix-ins – Stir in ingredients like cooked shrimp, crumbled bacon, diced ham, sautéed veggies, etc for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Let them rest – Allowing grits to sit off heat for 5-10 minutes before serving improves the texture.
With some simple seasoning and mix-in ideas, plain grits can be turned into a hearty, delicious breakfast dish the whole family will love.
Common Questions about Grits Servings
How much is one serving of grits?
A standard serving size of grits is often considered 1/2 cup. However, serving sizes can range from 1/4 cup for a side dish up to 1 cup for a heartier breakfast meal.
How many servings are in a 2 lb bag of grits?
A 2 pound bag of dried grits equals about 8 cups of uncooked grits. With a 1/2 cup serving size, a 2 lb bag would provide approximately 16 servings.
How do you make 1 serving of grits?
To make 1 serving of grits:
- Bring 1 cup water to a boil.
- Stir in 2-3 tablespoons grits.
- Return to a simmer, cook 5-8 minutes until thickened.
- Season with salt, pepper, and other additions as desired.
This makes one approximately 1 cup serving. Reduce water slightly for thicker grits.
Can leftover grits be reheated?
Yes, leftover cooked grits can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-5 days. To reheat, add a splash of milk or water and warm in the microwave or on the stovetop, stirring frequently until hot.
Conclusion
Determining servings for grits depends on the serving size you want to use and any additional ingredients that are added. In general, a 1 cup measuring cup of plain grits made with water contains about 2 servings if using a 1/2 cup serving size. This would provide about 300-400 calories total, which is suitable for a hearty breakfast serving for one person or a lighter breakfast serving for two. Add-ins like cheese and bacon will increase the calories and richness, which may decrease ideal serving sizes slightly. Grits are a versatile and comforting breakfast food that can easily be adapted to serve any size group.