Why does flour have so many calories?

kcdrake
kcdrake Posts: 512
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I miss baking! I was looking at the ingredients in one of my favorite cookie recipes and the killer is flour! One cup has over 400 calories! What is it about flour that makes it such a calorie packer? It makes me sad. :cry:

And my follow up question: does anybody know of a replacement for all-purpose flour that isn't as calorie heavy? I know there are different types of flour, but I've only used whole-wheat flour (which is still pretty calorie heavy... almost no difference) and I don't know how different flour types might affect the taste of what I make.

Replies

  • knittygirl52
    knittygirl52 Posts: 432 Member
    Flour is just concentrated carbs! What you REALLY need to figure is how much flour is in a serving--say one cookie. If you look at the calorie content for sugar, you'll see it's even worse than the flour because its carbs are even MORE concentrated. Carbs aren't necessarily bad--you do need some over the long haul. It's the amount (and whether you can stop with just one serving!).
  • MsElphaba
    MsElphaba Posts: 432 Member
    Okay, for starters let's think portion control. Just what kind of serving would you have to eat to have a cup of flour? I have been using King Arthur's White Wheat flour in place of all purpose. Honestly, I am not sure about the calorie difference, but at least it's better for you!
  • Panda86
    Panda86 Posts: 873
    You won't be eating the whole cup of flour in one serving- if you make a batch of however many cookies or whatever (we'll say 24), that amount is spread over 24 cookies... So if you have one, it won't be too bad.
  • kcdrake
    kcdrake Posts: 512
    Okay, I know I won't be eating a whole cup of flour and I know it's more important to figure out the serving size. I'm just shocked at how many calories are in such a small amount. I already knew sugar was a calorie hog, but flour was a surprise to me.
  • Tracy9377
    Tracy9377 Posts: 73 Member
    Look at this web site

    http://www.dietbites.com/calories/flour-calories-in-flour.html

    Different types of flour have very different caloric and other nutritional content. Apparently, peanut flour has a fraction of the calories of other types of flour at 196 calories per cup ... whole wheat flour has 407 per cup ...White flour has 455 calories per cup.

    The problem is, I've never heard of peanut flour ... does anyone know where in the world to find peanut flour?
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