‘Bran’ is the outer layer of any cereal grain (wheat, oats or rice), which is most often removed during the cereal processing. It is rich in dietary fiber, good fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals. Find out more about the nutritional values of bran muffins in this article.
Bran muffin is a tasty and healthy option which makes it popular among the people. As far as calorie levels are concerned, there are around 130 calories in a bran muffin (though it differs from brand to brand, and the recipe followed). The total calorie intake of any person should normally be around 1500/day. So, those who wish to burn a few pounds and are on a diet, should preferably think about the ingredients used in making the muffin. It is rich in dietary fibers but ingredients like butter can make it high in fat.
Bran Muffins: Nutritional Information
Though there are many low calorie muffins available, any recipe would make use of oils, butter, sugar and baking powder. All these ingredients contribute to fat deposition in body. Bran muffins if had in limitation (one serving per day) are a healthy option and are very satisfying, as far as taste is concerned. The nutritional value differs according to the contents used, if raisins are used the iron and protein content will move up, and if the muffins are made using big dollops of butter, the fat content will go up.
Take a look at the nutritional information given below. The nutritional information is for the classic muffins which are made using wheat bran, butter and vegetable oils amongst other ingredients.
| Bran Muffins | |
| Cholesterol | 18 mg |
| Sodium | 220 mg |
| Protein | 3.5 gm |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.5 gm |
| Carbohydrates | 25.5 gm |
| Total Fat | 7 gm |
As you see, muffins are quite rich in carbohydrates and fats. But they are not that heavy, and having one serving per day will not do any harm to your body.
Another recipe makes use of oat bran. Oats, as you all know, are the preferred choice of nutritionists as far as healthy food is concerned. They are very rich in carbohydrates and fiber. There are around 300 calories in oat bran muffins.
| Oat Bran Muffins | |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 400 mg |
| Protein | 8 gm |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.2 gm |
| Carbohydrates | 54 gm |
| Total Fat | 8.35 gm |
Another favorite among muffin lovers is raisin bran muffins. These are comparatively high on the protein value because raisins are a well-known source of iron and proteins. These tasty muffins are also good sources of carbohydrates and there are around 420 calories in these muffins.
| Rasin Bran Muffins | |
| Cholesterol | 30 mg |
| Sodium | 550 mg |
| Protein | 12 gm |
| Dietary Fiber | 10 gm |
| Carbohydrates | 85 gm |
| Total Fat | 11 gm |
One should note that the figures mentioned above are not perfect and may change from one brand to the other. Also the calorific value change as per the ingredients used in the cooking process. You can have dry fruits, blueberries, chocolates, etc., in the recipe style, which may increase the calorie levels or even decrease it. One should prefer eating low calorie bran muffins, and that too in limitation, as overeating these can lead to higher calories, and eventually pounds!
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.
