Are corn tortillas healthier than bread?

When it comes to some of the most common food items in Canadian homes, and perhaps all over the world, there is no debate that bread it’s probably at the top of the list. In some countries, bread might have some competition. Particularly in Mexican homes, tortillas are probably the main competitor to bread. There are multiple reasons, beginning with the fact that the tortilla is an essential food item in Mexican cuisine and an integral part of the daily diet for millions of people.

Many people will argue that there are other factors like tortillas are a delicious and healthier alternative to bread. Before moving forward, let’s clarify that, in this case, we are talking about the traditional corn tortillas, not the flour tortillas more common in the United States and Canada. We made this distinction as the flour tortillas will be similar to consuming slices of bread—both in terms of ingredients and the number of calories. If you want to know about the differences between corn and flour tortillas, you can find more information in a previous post on our blog.

What’s the difference in terms of calories?

Corn tortillas have fewer calories on average than bread slices. Depending on the type of bread, the calories can vary significantly. Now, if we take white bread as an example, a single white bread slice contains 75 calories. Some healthier options will be under 60 calories per slice, but on the other hand, some bread slices can easily go over 100 calories per slice.

On average, corn tortillas contain less than 50 calories per shell (single tortilla). For example, the three different corn tortillas made by Casa Bonita are only 25 calories per single shell. Below is the nutritional table for Casa Bonita tortillas (applies to white, yellow, and blue corn tortillas).

What’s the nutritional value of corn tortillas?

Corn tortillas are a good source of:

• Calcium
• Iron
• Fibre
• Proteins
• Carbs

A single tortilla shell can provide 1 g of Fiber and 1 gr of protein. This information is based on the chart above.

Our tortillas are made with the following ingredients:

• Corn Masa Flour
• Water
• Fumaric Acid
• Calcium
• Lime
• Salt

We keep the recipe simple with no added ingredients. That makes our tortillas:

• 0 Trans Fat
• No Cholesterol
• Gluten-Free
• Vegan

Are corn tortillas healthy for specific diets?

According to experts from the UNAM (Universidad Autonoma de Mexico – one of the top Universities in Mexico), tortillas can cover up to 50% of the daily recommended amount of calcium for an adult. Calcium is essential for the development and maintenance of bones and teeth.

Tortillas could also provide different vitamins like A, C, D, E, B1, and B2. Some of these vitamins are beneficial for the sight and skin, boost the immune system, plus other benefits like a healthier nervous system and even the increased production of red blood cells. The vitamins will vary depending on the specific ingredients used on a tortilla.

Besides the fact that can provide nutrients and vitamins, tortillas made with corn are great for gluten-free and vegetarian/vegan diets. They are also recommended on diets for people trying to keep an eye on their weight. With that said, we strongly recommend consulting an expert if you need further information or if you are wondering about a specific type of diet.