Many people will tell you that one of the biggest things that make a Mexican dish wonderful are the tortillas. When it comes to tortillas, the standards are corn or flour. They both are delicious in their own right, and pair well with different dishes. You may be wondering which one is healthier for you, though and that is a question worth delving into a bit. Eddie’s Mexican Restaurant is here to touch on the health benefits of both the corn and flour tortilla so we can determine which one is the healthiest.

Whole Grain VS Degermed Corn Tortillas

There is quite the debate out there as to whether or not corn is a vegetable. Many people will argue that it is a starch and not necessarily considered to be a vegetable. However, if you are dealing with corn that has been dried, it is actually now going to fall into the whole grain category. Corn tortillas are usually paired with dishes like enchiladas, tacos and when fried, they are used as our favorite means of eating guacamole and salsa. It is important that when you are choosing corn tortillas to prepare your favorite dish that you are choosing ones that are labeled “whole grain” rather than “degermed grain.” When they are used with degermed grain, the corn is basically stripped of all its nutrients prior to making the tortillas.

Flour Tortillas

Flour tortillas are a much softer and fluffier tortilla. They are used for burritos and chimichangas as well as fried to make a delicious dipping tool for guacamole and salsa as well. So what makes them different from corn tortillas? They are made with more ingredients that corn tortillas are. Flour, salt, baking powder, oil and water to name a few. If you are buying them in the store, there are several preservatives that also added to them to prolong shelf life. When you are making them on your own, you can leave those ingredients out.

Which Tortillas are Healthier?

This is a tricky question. Flour tortillas have more calories per tortilla when compared to a corn tortilla of the same size. They are also full of more sodium, carbohydrates and calories from fat than corn tortillas. There is also more dietary fiber in a corn tortillas when compared to flour. Some would argue that flour tortillas have more protein than corn do, but you can usually make up for that difference in the fillings with meat and beans. After these comparisons, corn is clearly the healthier option for anyone who loves tortillas, or are trying to choose the best tortilla for losing weight or bodybuilding etc.

Traditional Mexican Cuisine in Las Vegas, Nevada (Just Minutes from Summerlin, North LV & Henderson, NV)

Whether you prefer corn or flour tortillas for your dining pleasure, you can bet that Eddie’s Mexican Restaurant to deliver delicious flour and corn tortillas that pair well with all of our famous dishes. We provide both limited contact curbside take out and delivery via Grubhub for our valued customers in these trying times. Call us today!