Wheatena Porridge
Wheatena is a hot cereal made from toasted wheat groats, creating a hearty, nutty-flavored porridge. It was developed in the United States in the late 19th century and became a popular breakfast staple, especially known for its simple, whole-grain ingredients.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This porridge is a high-carbohydrate food, providing a good source of complex carbs and dietary fiber. A typical serving offers a moderate calorie count and is often enriched with essential vitamins and minerals like iron and B vitamins.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 130 kcal |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbs | 27 g |
| Fat | 1 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 0 mg |
| Iron | 10 mg |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0.5 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 6 mg |
| Folate | 100 mcg |
| Magnesium | 40 mg |
| Phosphorus | 150 mg |
| Zinc | 1.5 mg |
| Manganese | 1.5 mg |
Per 1 cup cooked (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Wheatena has a unique origin story, reportedly created by a Greek immigrant in New Jersey who began toasting wheat to make a more digestible cereal. It holds a place in American culinary history as a comforting, economical breakfast that sustained many families, particularly during the Great Depression.
