Crackers: benefits and harm to the body

The history of this cookie originated from the XVIII century, and its recipe, as is often the case, came up by accident. One baker wanted to conduct a small experiment and decided to change the composition of the biscuit dough and the method of baking. This baker did not keep track of the cookies, kept it in the oven and thought he had ruined the pastries. However, this carelessness brought the baker popularity and good income, because soon his crispy cookies became popular.

What is a cracker?

A cracker is a cookie that is made from wheat flour and fat using yeast. This is one of the subspecies of biscuits and bread rolls. The name itself comes from the English word "crack", which means "crack, crack." The structure of such cookies is usually fragile and porous, and the surface is often bubbly. Also, crackers include baking powder, milk and other ingredients that depend on the variety.

Kinds

The classic cracker recipe involves the use of wheat flour, it makes cookies more tender. Yeast is an optional ingredient, because the dough for crackers is yeast and without yeast. Yeast dough is used to bake creamy crackers that have a milder flavor. Their consistency and crispy puff. For the preparation of creamy crackers do not use baking powder, they can be not only sweet, but also salty. For the preparation of sweet crackers can be used not only sugar, but honey or syrup. There are species with other tastes. Most often found cheese, bacon, onions. They are often used as snacks, and canapes are used instead of bread.

How crackers differ from cookies

The main difference from the crackers biscuits is dry. Also, the sugar content in them is much smaller than in the liver. There are even some types of crackers sugar. The structure of crackers is brittle and layered, and cookies are most often soft and friable. The filling of cookies usually consists of sweets, crackers have a filling with spices, cheese, etc. Unlike the biscuits, crackers can be fed to the first dishes instead of bread.

Composition and calorie content

The calorie content of a cracker depends on its type, and on average is about 350 kcal per 100 g of product. 100 g contained 67 g carbohydrate, 13.5 g fat, 11.5 g protein.

The composition also depends on the species, but an integral ingredient is premium grade wheat flour. Also, its composition may include yeast, salt, sugar, spices and much more. Basically, crackers are not edible, but there are those that additionally include butter, margarine and eggs.

Why crackers are useful

General benefit

Whatever the additive in a cracker, it is still a very useful product for the body. Ingredients in its composition, is an irreplaceable source of nutrients. They contain a large amount of minerals, which are necessary to maintain the body healthy. For example, the body supplies flour fiber, which supports the intestine in a healthy state. In addition, flour contains phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, zinc and potassium. It also contains vitamins of group B, H, which make crackers a particularly valuable product in the human diet.

For women

Often crackers become a substitute for bread with diets. Women are very fond of this delicacy, and for good reason. Crackers are very useful for the female body. They contain elements help to maintain healthy hair and skin, saturate the calcium that can benefit from brittle nails.Crackers have a number of positive properties:

• reduce sweating of the scalp;
• help fight dandruff;
• improve brain activity;
• strengthens hair and nails;
• able to eliminate skin rashes;
• reduce the likelihood of SARS.

For men

Men appreciate crackers for their ability to quickly saturate, suppressing hunger for a long time. They also supply beneficial substances to the body.

These cookies have good consumer qualities. Crackers are able to normalize the intestines, bring glucose levels to normal. They have a calming effect on the nervous system and normalize the heart rate.

During pregnancy

Many women have discovered the benefits of crackers for toxicosis. Every pregnant woman suffers from this problem. But if you eat a couple of crackers in the morning, then the symptoms will be much easier. In some cases, they can even prevent vomiting. Sometimes during pregnancy there is an aversion to food. Women begin to rapidly lose weight, but I don’t want to look at food. In this case, crackers can become a salvation and allow more or less normal to survive this period. Also, during pregnancy, women often experience a feeling of hunger, but crackers quickly saturate the body, so it is recommended to carry them with you in your purse.

Naturally, you can’t eat crackers alone, but as a snack they will be a great addition to the diet.

When breastfeeding

A cracker will be an excellent snack for a nursing mother. This is a wonderful source of carbohydrates, which allows you to quickly restore strength. In addition, there are salted crackers that can be consumed with cheese or sausage. The result is a great snack that will muffle the feeling of hunger for a long time and let you do your own thing.

But not all crackers are equally useful. The fact is that when breastfeeding, it is not recommended to use fermentation products, since getting into the baby’s body with milk can cause bloating. Sugar is also not advised to consume in large quantities. In addition, some varieties are prepared with the addition of artificial flavors. They are not advised to eat rich types of crackers, they can cause gastrointestinal problems in a child. Therefore, nutritionists are advised to choose crackers without yeast, baking powder, flavorings and with a minimum amount of sugar.

For kids

For children, this cookie is also useful. First of all, his ability to stimulate brain activity is appreciated, which is important for schoolchildren during the class. A few sandwiches with crackers in the morning will allow you to saturate the child well, so nothing will interfere with focusing on classes. They will also be useful after physical education, will allow you to quickly restore energy and go with new forces to other lessons. But eating this product is necessary in moderation, since the number of calories in crackers is sufficient to gain excess weight with excessive consumption.

When losing weight

Diet crackers should be consumed wisely. Even dietary types are prepared from premium flour, which means they contain a large amount of carbohydrates. They are strictly forbidden to use with a low-carb diet. In other cases, they should be eaten sparingly. A couple of crackers at bedtime will dull the feeling of hunger, which will reduce the number of night snacks. They can also be taken on the road to satisfy the hunger on the road.

Crackers in medicine

Crackers are a favorite treat of many people. They can be drunk with tea, with first courses, crackers are sometimes added even to desserts. But there are a number of restrictions on their use that are associated with diseases.In some cases, it is enough to limit the use or choose specific species that are harmless to humans, in others a complete rejection of this treat is required.

With diabetes

This disease requires adherence to the strictest diet, its violation is fraught with serious health consequences. Typically, crackers are made from premium flour, which is characterized by a sufficiently high calorie content and glycemic index of 95, which makes them forbidden to eat. There are rich types of crackers, which are also prohibited. But some types of diabetics can still be eaten, although in very limited quantities. Crackers for diabetics should be inedible, with a reduced amount of carbohydrates, not contain sugar. However, it is advisable to consult your doctor before use.

With pancreatitis

With the development of pancreatitis, the only way to help the patient is through diet. Any deviation can lead to exacerbations of the disease and hospitalization. With pancreatitis, patients require a diet with reduced calorie intake. Butter baking contains a large amount of fat, for the breakdown of which requires the active work of the pancreas. Shop products may contain preservatives, flavors, and citric acid. These factors transfer crackers to the category of undesirable to eat. With exacerbations of pancreatitis, it is necessary to completely abandon all types of cookies, even unprofitable, however, at the end of the exacerbation, unsweetened crackers in small quantities can be included in the diet.

With gastritis

Gastritis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the gastric mucosa. With gastritis, diet plays a big role in the life of the patient. There are several varieties of this disease, in all cases it is necessary to limit saltine crackers. They can be eaten no more than 1-2 times a week. Also, you can not eat crackers with different aromatic additives. Butter and sweet crackers will even be useful. At the end of the exacerbation, they need to be included in your diet. Crackers can be eaten with tea or instead of bread with first and second courses.

In case of poisoning

Poisoning is a very unpleasant disease that most often occurs due to the use of low-quality products. And although this is a serious problem, mild forms of poisoning can be successfully treated at home if certain recommendations regarding nutrition are followed. The list of allowed products in the first days after poisoning is quite limited and expands over time. Crackers are included in the list of products allowed for consumption. They saturate the body with useful substances and do not cause irritation of the stomach or intestines. Minerals contained in them will be useful for improving the condition of the body.

Can I have a cracker before a colonoscopy?

The result of a bowel examination depends on how good the preparation was. In order for the study to be successful, the doctor prescribes a diet 3 days before the procedure. Usually it implies the exclusion of fiber from the diet. You also need to eat food that is easily absorbed so that there is no excess undigested food in the intestines. Flour products, including crackers, can be consumed.

Harm and contraindications

Despite an impressive list of beneficial substances, the abuse of crackers can do more harm than good. For example, if there are many and often there are overweight problems.Crackers contain a lot of fat, in addition, the number of calories per 100 g is not the smallest. In addition to excess weight, problems may arise with the vessels, or rather, with their patency. A large number of crackers causes clogging of blood vessels. Also, the body can accumulate toxins. Some unscrupulous manufacturers replace eggs with melange, which, if stored improperly, can cause many dangerous diseases.

There are a number of restrictions on the use of this product for people with diabetes and gastritis. A cracker is good for the intestines and has a beneficial effect on its function, but this only applies to a healthy organ. In case of problems with the gastrointestinal tract, it is better to refrain from excessive consumption of crackers. A few pieces of trouble will not do, but in large quantities they can cause disturbances in the body. Also, you can not give crackers to children under 6 years old.

How to make crackers at home

Initially, the cracker recipe was surprisingly simple. They consisted of water and flour. Later began to gradually add new ingredients. And now they add salt, pepper, spices, nuts and even cheese. This dish is so versatile that it can be eaten with either sweet food or any other. There are also a large number of recipes. But in any recipe, the main secret is the correct kneading of the test. To make the finished cookies tender and crumbly, but at the same time crunchy, you need to knead it for no more than 5 minutes. If you knead longer, the cookie will be firm and firm.

For the preparation of butter crackers, which include butter, it is recommended to pre-hold the dough in the cold, but not more than one hour. The dough with vegetable oil can be left for a while to insist on the table at room temperature.

After this, the dough must be rolled out in a thin layer of about 4 mm. After that, cut out cookies with the help of molds. Instead of a mold, you can use a regular glass. The holes in the cookies are made not only to decorate the dish. They play an important role in cooking. Steam will come out through them, this will prevent the cookies from coming up, and they will remain flat. Any tool is suitable for creating holes.

Cheese cracker

Cheese crackers are perfect for sandwiches. They can also be consumed on their own as a snack. To prepare you will need:

• 150 g of hard cheese;
• 160 g of wheat flour;
• 1 yolk;
• 150 g of butter.

For cooking, use chilled butter. Grind it manually with flour until a homogeneous mixture is obtained. After that add cheese and yolk there. Knead the dough until it stops sticking to your hands. You may need more flour. Then roll it into a ball, wrap it with foil and put in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. After the time has passed, slightly knead the dough with your hands and divide it into several equal parts. Roll out each part with a thin layer using a rolling pin. From rolled sheets of dough, cut out cookies and make holes in it.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and grease the pan with oil so that the dough does not burn. Bake cookies for 10-15 minutes until cooked, until it becomes light golden in color. It is important to leave them to cool on a baking sheet, otherwise they may break.

Salted crackers

This is the easiest recipe that anyone can use, even without any idea of ​​cooking. There are ingredients in every home. To make cookies, you will need:

• 1 cup wheat flour;
• 120 g butter;
• 2-3 teaspoons of salt;
• 50 ml of milk.

The oil must be placed in the freezer, and when it hardens, grate, pour flour to it and add salt.Mix the ingredients with a spoon until gruel forms, add milk to the mixture and knead the dough thoroughly. Knead a little longer than regular cracker dough so that it is firm and does not stick to your hands. Then put it in the refrigerator. Next, roll out the dough on the table and cut the crackers with a mold, not forgetting the holes. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees, put crackers on a greased baking sheet and set to bake for 15–20 minutes. When ready, pull out with a baking sheet and leave to cool. These crackers are perfect for making small cheese sandwiches. They can also be served with meat or fish.

Salad with crackers and canned fish: recipe

Different situations happen in life, and sometimes you need to make a hearty dinner as soon as possible. Good owners always keep for this occasion several cans of canned food, at least fish, at least meat. Canned fish are ideal for a hearty salad, which is prepared in the shortest possible time. He will not be ashamed to put even on the festive table. In addition, salt is not needed for the preparation of such a salad; it is abundant in canned goods, crackers and mayonnaise. The following ingredients will be required:

• 50 g of onions;
• 80 g of carrots;
• 1 can of canned fish;
• 50 g of hard cheese;
• mayonnaise to taste;
• several crackers.

Peel the onion, cut into small cubes and fry in vegetable oil until it becomes transparent. While the onions are fried, peel and grate the carrots coarsely. Add it to the onion, mix and fry until the carrots are ready. Take out the canned food from the can and thoroughly knead to the state of gruel. Grind cheese on a coarse grater.

Now it remains only to collect the salad, it will be multi-layered (like a fur coat). Put crackers in the first layer, add canned food on top of them and grease with mayonnaise on top. On top of the mayonnaise put the frying onion with carrots. Grease the frying top with mayonnaise and sprinkle cheese on top. Place the finished dish in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes. To collect salad, it is better to use a serving ring instead of a bowl. Then after cooling the salad, you can remove it. So the dish will look prettier.

Another salad with crackers and canned goods requires a bit more ingredients, but it's worth it. It can not be called a salad cake, because it does not have a large number of layers. Losing weight people should consider that this salad is very high-calorie. Canned fish can be any, but pink salmon or tuna are most suitable. To prepare you will need:

• 1 can of canned food;
• a pack of saltine crackers;
• 1 onion head;
• 2-3 medium carrots;
• 150 g of suluguni cheese;
• 2 medium tomatoes;
• 3 chicken eggs;
• mayonnaise / salt / spices to taste;
• greens.

First you need to put the eggs to cook, then get the canned food out of the jar, put it in a bowl and knead them well. Chop the onion into small pieces, remove the yolks from the boiled eggs and grate finely. You can also just rub the yolks with your hands. Cool proteins and grind on a coarse grater. Grate the carrots in large pieces. Fry onions with carrots, adding salt and spices to taste in the process. While preparing the frying, grate the cheese.

Now you can begin to create a salad. It will take a large dish, put crackers on it, after which each of them should be greased with a thick layer of mayonnaise so that they have time to soak and soften. On top of mayonnaise lay another layer of crackers. Top them with grease with mayonnaise and put canned fish. Grease a layer of fish with a small layer of mayonnaise and put the frying on top, and egg whites on top of it. Grease the proteins with mayonnaise and sprinkle with suluguni cheese on top. Apply lettuce layers so that the final result is in the form of a hemisphere.

Now it remains to decorate the salad. Sprinkle the top of the salad with grated yolk, cut the tomatoes into thin slices and put in the center in the form of a flower. Between the tomatoes lay the branches of dill and parsley. Serve the salad chilled.

Interesting Facts

1. When crackers first appeared, they made 13 holes in them. Exactly as many states were originally part of the state.
2. As soon as the crackers became widely known, the military became interested in them. They appreciated their ability to quickly saturate the body, so to this day crackers become part of the dry ration of US Army soldiers.
3. Sailors also appreciated the new delicacy. They loved to eat crackers, mixing with the ear.

Photo crackers