Cereals, QUAKER, Instant Grits, Redeye Gravy & Country Ham flavor, dry
Whole food · Breakfast Cereals
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a dehydrated, instant grits mix designed to deliver the savory, smoky essence of Southern Redeye Gravy & Country Ham in a quick-cooking porridge. The dry flakes rehydrate into a thick, creamy, and slightly coarse cornmeal porridge with a salty, meaty, and subtly peppery flavor profile. Nutritionally, it is a high-carbohydrate, low-fat energy source with a modest amount of protein.
Calorie split: 11% protein · 85% carbs · 4% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for delivering the authentic, comforting taste of a classic Southern breakfast—smoky ham and rich gravy—in under five minutes. It's a nostalgic, no-fuss staple that satisfies a craving for savory, hearty flavors without the time commitment of cooking from scratch.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary downsides are its high sodium content and the potential for a significant blood-sugar spike due to the refined corn and low fat/fiber ratio. To counteract this, pair a portion with a source of protein (like an egg or sausage) and healthy fat (like avocado or a pat of butter) to slow digestion and stabilize energy. Be mindful of portion size to manage carbohydrate intake.
Key benefits
- Quick and convenient source of complex carbohydrates for energy
- Provides a small but complete set of essential amino acids from the corn and added protein
- Low in fat, making it a lighter meal option
- Contains dietary fiber from the corn grits
- Shelf-stable and requires minimal preparation
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'redeye' in redeye gravy traditionally comes from the dark, coffee-like appearance of the ham drippings deglazed with water or black coffee, not from any actual egg.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 7.1 g |
| Energy | 342 kcal |
| Energy | 1430 kj |
| Protein | 9.8 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 1.6 g |
| Ash | 5.7 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 75.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 4.6 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.71 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 441 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 42.0 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 32.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 79.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 172 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 1805 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.48 mg |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.85 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.74 mg |
| Niacin | 9.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.15 mg |
| Folate, total | 187 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 1.0 iu |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.11 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.23 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.41 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.73 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.05 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Cereals ready-to-eat, POST, HONEY BUNCHES OF OATS, honey roasted — USDA does not publish this profile for Cereals.
| Tryptophan | 0.09 g |
| Threonine | 0.24 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.26 g |
| Leucine | 0.80 g |
| Lysine | 0.12 g |
| Methionine | 0.10 g |
| Cystine | 0.11 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.39 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.21 g |
| Valine | 0.34 g |
| Arginine | 0.24 g |
| Histidine | 0.18 g |
| Alanine | 0.46 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.48 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.9 g |
| Glycine | 0.27 g |
| Proline | 0.49 g |
| Serine | 0.38 g |
FAQ
What exactly is 'redeye gravy'?
Redeye gravy is a simple, thin sauce made from the drippings of fried country ham, deglazed with water, black coffee, or broth. It's named for its dark, reddish-brown color.
Is this product gluten-free?
While corn is naturally gluten-free, instant grits may be processed in facilities that handle wheat. Always check the specific packaging for a certified gluten-free label if you have celiac disease or severe sensitivity.
How can I improve the texture and flavor?
For a richer, less 'instant' taste, prepare it with milk or a mix of milk and water instead of just water. Stirring in a small amount of real butter or shredded cheese after cooking can also enhance the mouthfeel and flavor complexity.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.42 kcal/g · 11% calories from protein · 4.6 g fiber · 0.7 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 10.49 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.