Holidays and parties are regular settings for snack trays to appear. Triscuits are a type of crackers made with whole grains that are commonly found on these occasions. If you have recently started to take an interest in your health, learn more about these treats to see if they should be placed on your plate.
Significance
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Carbohydrates are one of the three macronutrients that the body needs in high amounts for proper function. Triscuits contain 19 g of carbs per 28 g serving. This comes out to about 10 crackers. Since the carbs come from whole wheat, they are considered complex carbs, which means they are digested at a slow pace. Easily digested refined carbohydrates on the other hand -- white bread, white rice and other refined grains, pastries, sugared sodas, and other highly processed foods -- may contribute to weight gain, interfere with weight loss, and promote diabetes and heart disease, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
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Size
Calorie counting is of utmost importance when you are trying to lose or gain weight. The Institute of Health, for example, recommends a 500 to 1,000 calorie daily deficit to lose 1 to 2 lbs. a week. A 28 g serving of Triscuits contains 120 calories. This only includes the crackers by themselves. If you are watching your calories, be mindful of any dips or toppings you add to the Triscuits.
Benefits
Whole wheat is one of the main ingredients in Triscuits. This in turn causes them to have a high amount of dietary fiber. Ten crackers contain 3 g. Fiber is a non-digestible substance that offers multiple benefits to the body. Fiber helps the digestive tract function optimally and it also reduces the risk for diabetes and heart disease, according to the Mayo Clinic's website.
Function
Proteins function to create cells and tissues and they constantly get broken down in the body. Protein in foods is digested into amino acids, which is later used to replace these proteins according to the Centers for Disease Control. A 10 g serving of Triscuits contains 3 g of protein.
Fat Content
The content of saturated fat, trans fats and cholesterol in foods is a primary concern when it comes to cholesterol levels. A high level of cholesterol in the blood is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, which leads to heart attack, and also increases the risk of stroke according to the American Heart Association. Triscuits are cholesterol and trans fat-free and low in saturated fat. A 28 g serving contains 4.5 g of total fat, 1 g of saturated fat and 0 g of trans fat.
Miscellaneous
Iron is a mineral involved with hemoglobin production. This substance helps to transport oxygen throughout the body. Ten Triscuits contain 4 percent of the daily allowance of iron. They also contain sodium, which is used for blood volume regulation and muscle contractions. A serving of 10 Triscuits contains 180 mg of sodium.