Biscuits are a staple food for many people, especially in the Southern United States. They can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and pair well with foods like fried chicken, gravy, jam, or eggs. While homemade biscuits made from scratch are often touted as being healthier and more wholesome than store-bought varieties, is that really the case? Let’s take a detailed look at the ingredients, nutrition facts, and health impacts of each to find out.
Main Differences Between Homemade and Store Bought Biscuits
There are a few key differences between homemade biscuits and store-bought ones:
Ingredients
Homemade biscuits typically contain basic pantry ingredients like all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, butter or shortening, and milk. On the other hand, store-bought biscuit ingredients often include enriched bleached wheat flour, palm oil, dextrose, soy lecithin, and other preservatives.
Preparation Method
Homemade biscuits are made from scratch by cutting the dough into rounds, while store-bought biscuits are mass produced in factories using machines.
Nutrition Profile
Since homemade biscuits have fewer ingredients, they tend to have a simpler nutritional profile focused on carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Store-bought varieties can have added sugars, preservatives, and other synthetic ingredients.
Freshness
Homemade biscuits are fresh out of the oven, while store-bought ones are packaged and shipped to the store, so they may be less fresh.
Cost
Preparing homemade biscuits costs less than purchasing store-bought ones.
Nutritional Comparison
To get an accurate look at the nutrition profiles, let’s compare the basic nutritional information for average homemade buttermilk biscuits and a popular store-bought brand’s buttermilk biscuits.
Serving Size
Most homemade biscuit recipes make 8-12 biscuits, with each biscuit being around 2-3 inches wide. Store-bought biscuits are typically smaller, with common serving sizes being 1-2 biscuits. For the purposes of this nutrition comparison, we’ll look at one 2-inch diameter homemade biscuit versus one store-bought biscuit.
Calories and Macronutrients
| Nutrition Facts | Homemade Buttermilk Biscuit (One 2″ Biscuit) | Store Bought Buttermilk Biscuit (One Biscuit) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 158 | 110 |
| Total Fat | 8 g | 3 g |
| Saturated Fat | 4 g | 1 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 26 mg | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 260 mg | 370 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 18 g | 22 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g | 0 g |
| Total Sugars | 2 g | 3 g |
| Protein | 3 g | 3 g |
Looking at calories and macronutrients, the homemade biscuit is higher in calories, fat, and cholesterol, while the store-bought option has more carbs and sodium. The homemade version gets its extra calories primarily from the higher fat content. Both have negligible fiber and protein.
Micronutrients
Since they aren’t fortified, homemade biscuits don’t provide much in the way of micronutrients. Store-bought biscuits are enriched with vitamins and minerals like calcium, iron, and B vitamins. However, the bioavailability of added nutrients may be lower than naturally occurring sources.
Ingredients to Note
Homemade biscuits made with lard or butter contain more saturated fat. The store-bought biscuits use palm oil, which is high in saturated fat as well but lower in overall fat content. Store-bought biscuits also contain preservatives like sodium aluminum phosphate and polysorbate 60.
Health Impact
Now that we’ve compared the key differences in ingredients and nutritional value, what does this mean for health?
Weight Gain
The homemade biscuits are higher in calories per serving, so consuming them frequently could lead to more weight gain over time compared to the store-bought ones. However, portion control is also key – choosing an appropriately sized biscuit makes a difference.
Heart Health
With more total and saturated fat, the homemade biscuits may negatively impact heart health if eaten regularly. The store-bought biscuits are lower in fat and cholesterol. However, they contain palm oil, which can also raise LDL cholesterol. Moderation is important for both.
Blood Pressure
The store-bought biscuits are significantly higher in sodium, containing 370mg versus 260mg per biscuit. Over time, consistently consuming the store-bought version could increase risk of high blood pressure.
Blood Sugar
With fairly similar carb contents and negligible fiber, both options can spike blood sugar. However, the homemade biscuits have slightly less sugar. Portion control and pairing with protein can help mitigate blood sugar spikes.
Gut Health
Since both contain little fiber and no probiotics, neither biscuit provides much gut health benefit. The preservatives like sodium aluminum phosphate in store-bought biscuits may also negatively impact gut microbiome balance.
Nutrient Density
The added vitamins and minerals in store-bought biscuits make them more nutrient dense in terms of micronutrients. However, these aren’t natural sources. Homemade biscuits made with nutritious ingredients like whole wheat flour can improve nutrient density.
Food Additives
Homemade biscuits avoid concerning food additives like preservatives, artificial flavors, colors, etc. These types of synthetic additives found in store-bought biscuits have been linked to health issues by some studies.
Conclusion
So are homemade biscuits actually healthier? Well, it’s complicated. Homemade biscuits made from scratch do have some nutritional advantages – they are lower in sodium, sugar, and preservatives compared to store-bought varieties. However, they can be higher in calories, fat, and cholesterol if you’re not carefully controlling the ingredients and portions.
Moderation and personal dietary needs are key. For someone limiting sodium or additives, homemade is likely the better choice. But for someone restricting calories or fat, store-bought may fit better into their diet. Making adjustments to the homemade recipe like using whole wheat flour, baking instead of frying, and controlling portions based on serving size rather than number of biscuits can help maximize the nutritional benefits of homemade biscuits.
The bottom line – homemade biscuits have the potential to be healthier, but it depends on the specific recipe, ingredients, and portion sizes. Store-bought biscuits ensure more consistent nutritional values and the addition of vitamins and minerals, but may contain more preservatives and additives. As with most foods, enjoying biscuits occasionally as part of an overall balanced diet is the healthiest approach, regardless of whether they are homemade or purchased from the store.