Are Ginger Cookies Good for You? | Livestrong.com (2024)

Are Ginger Cookies Good for You? | Livestrong.com (1)

Ginger cookies can be high in sugar and fat content.

Image Credit: MSPhotographic/iStock/Getty Images

Ginger cookies fall into the category of "empty calories," according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's dietary guidelines. You should consume empty calorie foods in moderation. Columbia College recommends that you allot 260 calories in a 2,000-calorie diet to the foods you want, which can include empty calories. Eating ginger cookies has some major drawbacks because of their fat and sugar content, but they also contain some essential nutrients.

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Calories and Fat

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Ginger cookies serve as a moderate source of calories, since a 2-ounce portion of gingersnaps contains 236 calories, while an equivalent portion of gingerbread cookies contains 252 calories. Whichever variety you choose, you'll spend the majority of your discretionary calories for the day in only one serving. Both types of ginger cookies are moderately high in fat, with one serving of gingersnaps providing 5.5 grams of fat and one serving of gingerbread cookies providing 7.3 grams of fat. Fat is calorie-dense, so that even though fat serves as a potent source of energy, it is also easy to overeat when you consume foods that have a lot of fat. Additionally, the saturated fat found in both types of ginger cookies negatively affects your blood cholesterol, which can put you at risk for cardiovascular disease.

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Added Sugar

Ginger cookies also contain significant amounts of sugar, thanks in part to the added table sugar and molasses that sweeten them. Eating 2 ounces of gingersnaps boosts your sugar intake by 11.3 grams, while gingerbread cookies contain 10.9 grams of sugar per serving. This sugar increases the level of acidity in your mouth, which dissolves the enamel covering your teeth and contributes to tooth decay. Because it's high in calories, sugar also contributes to obesity, and might increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.

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Beneficial Minerals

Despite their drawbacks, ginger cookies offer some nutritional value, and boost your iron and manganese intakes. Iron plays a key role in energy production, and it supports tissue health by helping red blood cells carry oxygen to your tissues. Gingersnaps contain 3.6 milligrams of iron per serving -- a significant amount toward the 8 and 18 milligrams recommended daily for men and women, respectively -- while gingerbread cookies contain 2 milligrams of iron. Gingersnaps also contain manganese, which is a mineral involved in wound healing and which also supports your metabolism. Each serving contains 882 micrograms of manganese, which contributes 49 percent toward the recommended daily intake for women and 38 percent for men.

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Vitamin Content

Ginger cookies also offer beneficial niacin, as well as folate. The niacin in ginger cookies promotes healthy cell development, controls gene activity and aids in cell-to-cell communication. A serving of gingersnaps or gingerbread cookies provides roughly 1.8 milligrams of niacin -- 13 and 11 percent of the daily niacin intakes recommended for women and men, respectively. Both types of ginger cookies also contain folate, which is a vitamin needed for red blood cell production and healthy cell growth. Gingersnaps offer 49 micrograms of folate per serving -- 12 percent of your recommended daily intake -- and gingerbread contains 45 micrograms.

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Are Ginger Cookies Good for You? | Livestrong.com (2024)

FAQs

Are Ginger Cookies Good for You? | Livestrong.com? ›

Ginger cookies

Ginger cookies
A gingersnap, ginger snap, ginger nut, or ginger biscuit is a biscuit flavored with ginger. Ginger snaps are flavored with powdered ginger and a variety of other spices, most commonly cinnamon, molasses and clove. There are many recipes.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Ginger_snap
can be high in sugar and fat content. Ginger cookies fall into the category of "empty calories," according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's dietary guidelines. You should consume empty calorie foods in moderation.

Is gingerbread healthy for you? ›

Surprising benefits

Research shows it may aid in digestion, reduce nausea and help fight the common cold and flu. It's also believed ginger may support weight management, help manage arthritis and may also alleviate menstrual symptoms. Molasses is another ingredient sometimes found in gingerbread.

Do ginger biscuits have any health benefits? ›

Studies show that consumption of ginger biscuits may help regulate glucose levels and hence is recommended for diabetes. Ginger biscuits also have anti-inflammatory effects, thereby are important for problems like rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, ulcerative colitis and bursitis.

Are ginger snaps good for your stomach? ›

Some people find ginger shots, typically concentrated forms of ginger, effective in providing quick relief from nausea. Foods that contain ginger. Low-sugar gingersnap cookies and other ginger-infused snacks can be a pleasant way to consume ginger when experiencing stomach discomfort.

Are ginger snaps anti-inflammatory? ›

Gingersnaps are a healthier alternative to other cookies, being that they are generally low in calories and have many benefits. The ginger that is in these cookies has anti-inflammatory properties, is known to help treat nausea and fight heart disease and other illnesses.

Is gingerbread high in iron? ›

Gingerbread also contains molasses, which is a dark, thick syrup made during the refining of sugarcane or sugar beet. Naturally sweet, molasses is also rich is vitamin B6, magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium and antioxidants.

What are the benefits of eating ginger? ›

Eating ginger can cut down on fermentation, constipation and other causes of bloating and intestinal gas. Wear and tear on cells. Ginger contains antioxidants. These molecules help manage free radicals, which are compounds that can damage cells when their numbers grow too high.

What are the benefits of gingerbread cookies? ›

Gingerol is the main bioactive compound in the spice, responsible for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. According to National Library of Medicine, gingerol could also explain ginger's role in keeping blood sugar levels steady, which helps to control on of the long-term effects of type 2 diabetes.

Can you eat too many ginger snaps? ›

How much ginger should you take daily? Ginger is safe to eat daily, but experts recommend limiting yourself to 3 to 4 grams a day — stick to 1 gram daily if you're pregnant. Taking more than 6 grams of ginger a day has been proven to cause gastrointestinal issues such as reflux, heartburn and diarrhea.

What are the side effects of ginger snap cookies? ›

Added Sugar

Eating 2 ounces of gingersnaps boosts your sugar intake by 11.3 grams, while gingerbread cookies contain 10.9 grams of sugar per serving. This sugar increases the level of acidity in your mouth, which dissolves the enamel covering your teeth and contributes to tooth decay.

Are ginger snaps a laxative? ›

INGREDIENTS:MALTITOL SYRUP, MALTITOL, WATER, PECTIN, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, PAPRIKA OLEORESIN COLOR, NATURAL ORANGE AND LEMON FLAVORS, STEVIOL GLYCOSIDES (STEVIA EXTRACT), ASCORBIC ACID ANTIOXIDANT. EXCESS CONSUMPTION MAY HAVE A MILD LAXATIVE EFFECT.

Are store bought ginger snaps good for you? ›

They contain important nutrients like iron, calcium, and fiber. Ginger, the key ingredient in these cookies, is known for its various health benefits, including aiding digestion and reducing inflammation. However, it's important to consume them in moderation, as they can be high in sugar and calories.

Why is ginger snaps so good? ›

Because it has some excellent suspense sequences and a rather high amount of blood and gore. The werewolf is really cool looking,the acting by two lead girls(Emily Perkins,Katharine Isabelle)is excellent and the direction is well-handled. "Ginger Snaps" is a pure horror film,that is to be taken seriously.

Why do people eat gingerbread? ›

As a stand-alone ingredient, ginger had long been praised for its abilities to aid digestion. In the Elizabethan era, gingerbread was described as 'a kind of cake or paste made to comfort the stomach' (it was also believed to be good for flatulence and sharpening the sight!).

How long is gingerbread safe to eat? ›

The general rule of thumb is a couple of weeks. It depends how its prepared and if you used a lot of icing. Also, gingerbread like any other bread turns stale quite fast. Eating it after 1–2 week with tea shouldn't be a problem.

What are the benefits of ginger chews? ›

Chewing on a piece of ginger candy can curb pain caused from inflammation, GI distresses, nausea, loss of appetite, motion sickness and other forms of pain. This isn't to suggest that ginger candy is a magical food item that cures all ailments, but in some cases, it can help.

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