Quick, Easy, Healthy Pancakes: Russel Farms Mix

 Disclaimer: The following represents my honest opinions of this product. I have not been compensated or solicited in any way.

"Just Add Water" is generally not a comforting slogan. We associate it with infomercials and snake oils and it really has become somewhat of a joke. Which is a shame. Because occasionally a quality product comes along in which "just add water" means fantastic things.

A family farm in Rhinebeck, NY has created such a product. Several such products, actually. While it is true that pancake mixes and biscuit mixes are nothing new, it is also true that traditionally they are considered an inferior and often unhealthy option. Russell Farms' mixes retain all of the convenience of these other mixes but replace some of the nastier ingredients with all natural products.

I recently made my first batch of pancakes, ever, in my life, with the aid of Russell Farms Buckwheat Pancake Mix and the results were stunning. The pancakes were delicious and filling. But this is a health and fitness blog so we need more substantial reasons to discuss this product.

Like nutrition facts:

Let's compare this with a popular, commercial brand which will not be named in the interest of not getting powerful people mad at me. In the same 1/3 cup serving, this "other" pancake mix contains 160 calories, 4.5g fat (1g saturated, 1.5g trans), 410mg of sodium, 40mg of potassium, 26g carbohydrates, 1g fiber, 1g sugar and 3g protein. So this other brand has slightly less calories but the calories it does have come from bad sources, like fat and trans fat, of which Russell Farms has very little. And Russell Farms is a great source of all the important breakfast nutrients discussed in the post on breakfast: Carbs, protein and fiber. Granted, this other brand does provide potassium and B vitamins, but these can be made up in other ways and are not as important as the other nutrients.

The ingredients are also note-worthy.

These are all comforting, natural things that belong in pancakes. Even the strangest of them, calcium phosphate, is a natural leavening agent. There is no soy and nothing that involves the words "partially hydrogenated." Without going into too much detail, we'll say that hydrogenation produces trans fats which are known to raise bad cholesterol levels while lowering good levels and stiffen the walls of the arteries. Needless to say, you should not eat them.

Russell Farms pancake and biscuit mixes are a healthy, fast breakfast option. Open the bag, "just add water" and toss it on the skillet. The balance of macronutrients is perfect to set the dietary tone for the day and while they are a local company, they are available online here.