Hominy has been around for ages. It’s a kind of corn or maize that has been specially treated. We have to thank the early Meso-Americans for developing this way of processing corn kernels. If you plan to prepare this food, you might be wondering whether dogs can eat hominy, too. Learn more about hominy below.
Nutrition
Hominy is made from the whole kernels of dried field corn (also known as maize). The kernels are nixtamalized or soaked in a mixture of lye or lime then rinsed several times. This removes the outer hulls and makes the inner kernels tender and plump. It actually improves the nutritional content of the corn. It also prevents the corn from sprouting during storage which was important when corn had to be stored during winter months.
The resulting kernels of hominy are puffy and slightly chewy. They have a complex flavor and aroma similar to stone-ground grits or freshly-made tortillas.
Nixtamalization (the alkaline process to make hominy) frees nutrients such as the B-complex vitamins in the corn, making hominy more nutritious than regular corn. Without this process, these nutrients are not normally available from corn.
Most people today buy hominy in a canned, ready-to-eat form at the grocery store. You can also purchase it in a dry form, in bags like dry peas or beans that need to be soaked before cooking. You can buy ground hominy as well. Hominy grits are a coarsely-ground form of hominy. Masa is a finely-ground hominy. Masa can be used to make tortillas, tamales, and other dishes.
Most of the grits sold in grocery stores are hominy grits. They are also used for instant or quick grits. They cook quickly because the kernels are already mostly processed through nixtamalization.
Hominy is considered to be quite nutritious. It is even more nutritious than regular corn. It is low in saturated fat and very low in cholesterol. It’s an excellent source of dietary fiber, iron, and zinc. However, it is somewhat high in sodium.
Hominy is made up of 83 percent carbohydrates, 10 percent fats, and 7 percent protein. One cup of yellow hominy (160 grams) contains 115 calories. It has 22.8 grams of carbs and 4 grams of dietary fiber. It has 1.4 grams of total fat and 2.4 grams of protein. One cup of hominy contains 336 mg of sodium.
There is also a white hominy. Nutrients vary slightly.
Hominy is a grain so if you are looking to add grains to your diet, it would be one source to consider. It is low in sugar and gluten-free. One cup of hominy has less than 3 grams of sugar.
The fiber in hominy helps you feel sated and maintains good digestive health. It also helps regulate blood sugar levels, lowers cholesterol, and helps manage weight.
Can you give your dog hominy to eat?
Yes, dogs can eat hominy in small to moderate amounts. It shouldn’t make up a large part of your dog’s diet but as a topper or something to mix in with your dog’s regular food, it can be quite nutritious.
Hominy is a form of corn but it has added nutrition. It is high in fiber, low in sugar, low in fat and calories, and a good source of B-complex vitamins. Hominy that has been nixtamalized is especially easy to digest and its nutrients are more bioavailable than the nutrients in ordinary corn. Plus, it is naturally gluten-free.
The hominy you give your dog does need to be plain. You should not add any butter, salt, cheese, or other seasonings to it. You probably wouldn’t find hominy with garlic or onion added but if you do, make sure that you don’t give it to your dog.
Both fine-ground (masa) and coarse-ground (grits) hominy can be given to dogs but they do need to be cooked. Giving your dog dry hominy could lead to digestive problems. Eating them dry could also result in choking on them.
Some dogs can be allergic to corn products so if your dog has an allergy to corn, you should avoid giving him hominy.
Dogs that are sensitive to gluten should be able to eat hominy since it is gluten-free.
Masa, in particular, is used in many Mexican dishes. It’s best not to give your dog these foods that contain the fine-ground hominy unless you know that every single ingredient is safe for your dog.
How much hominy can you give your dog?
It’s best to only give your dog a small to moderate amount of hominy, especially if he’s not used to eating this kind of food. Let your dog try one or two bites to see if he likes hominy.
If your dog likes hominy, keep in mind it is very high in fiber. Too much could lead to diarrhea. It’s best to only give your dog small amounts even though it’s nutritious.
How often can you give your dog hominy?
If your dog enjoys hominy, you could give him a small amount once or twice per week, mixed in with his regular dog food.
Remember that hominy is somewhat high in sodium. One cup of hominy provides three times as much sodium as a 30-pound dog needs in one day. You shouldn’t give your dog hominy on a daily basis.
Conclusion
Hominy is very nutritious. It’s one of the most nutritious forms of corn available. As long as your dog isn’t allergic to corn, you should be able to give him some hominy occasionally. Make sure the hominy you give your dog is cooked and plain. Although hominy, in the form of masa, is often used in Mexican dishes, it’s best not to give your dog these foods unless you know that every single ingredient is safe for your dog.
