American breakfast mush with syrup
American breakfast mush, often simply called 'mush,' is a traditional hot cereal made from cornmeal (or sometimes wheat or oats) cooked with water or milk until thick and porridge-like. It's a staple of early American and frontier cooking, commonly served warm with butter and a generous drizzle of maple syrup or molasses. The dish is particularly associated with the Southern and Midwestern United States.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is primarily a high-carbohydrate food, providing quick energy from the cornmeal and added syrup. It offers some B vitamins and iron from the grain, with a typical serving containing around 300-400 calories depending on preparation and toppings.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 350 kcal |
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbs | 72 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 18 g |
| Sodium | 10 mg |
| Iron | 2.5 mg |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0.3 mg |
| Folate | 45 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 150 mg |
| Magnesium | 40 mg |
| Potassium | 120 mg |
| Selenium | 6 mcg |
| Manganese | 0.5 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Historically, mush was a practical, economical food for pioneers and settlers because dried corn was non-perishable and easy to transport. Nutritionally, it's a classic example of a 'comfort food'—warm, filling, and often nostalgic, though modern versions can be quite high in added sugars.
