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Corn
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Today, corn has established itself as the best product. It is tasty, healthy and easy to prepare. In addition, this product has a lot of positive qualities and can even help cope with many diseases. More about the queen of the fields will be discussed below.
Corn Day
In fact, Corn Day is far from being a myth or an invention of cunning advertisers who are trying to sell a product at any cost! This is a holiday that, like all the others, has been celebrated in Mexico for over 300 years.
According to an ancient belief, the gods, distributing the riches of the Earth to people, allowed everyone to choose a tasty morsel for themselves. The Indians, without thinking twice, chose this vegetable - bright sunny cobs, from which they even baked bread. Later, it repeatedly saved nomadic tribes from hunger, because it is well stored, quickly causes a feeling of satiety, and also suggests a dozen options for cooking dishes.
In fact, this day is a celebration of the goddess Centeotl, as well as universal joy. The color of this marvelous product automatically implies the absence of sadness and carelessness. All night long, people who come to the celebration in national costumes sing and have fun, not forgetting, at the same time, to taste dishes based on corn.
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Caloric content of corn
Such an indicator as the caloric content of corn is easy enough to check using the appropriate tables. Often this value fluctuates around 100 kcal per 100 grams of product. However, this value is relevant only for raw vegetables.
If the vegetable is subject to any processing, the indicator will invariably increase. It should also be noted that caloric content plays far from the most important role. When choosing the right diet for yourself, a person must correctly distribute food between meals, combine it in a certain order.
You should consult your nutritionist on this issue, who will be able to choose the only correct option for your patient. For example, when going on a corn diet, you should completely forget about the calorie content of this product. After all, it is the main key to the world of slimness and harmony with your body. Despite the fact that this vegetable contains a high percentage of carbohydrates! Its calorie content in this case is the last thing to pay attention to.
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Calorie content of boiled corn
The assessment of the parameter "caloric content of boiled corn" may depend on many factors. First of all, it is the caloric content of the vegetable itself, which is approximately equal to 100 Kcal. However, the calculation does not end there. If it is cooked according to a traditional recipe, its energy value increases to 125 Kcal. If we are talking about recipes with the addition of butter, the caloric content of the other components should be added to the caloric content of the corn itself.
Of course, calorie content plays a special role if the person enjoying the treat is on a strict diet. Having pampered yourself with this product, it is not at all necessary to exhaust yourself with grueling workouts afterwards. It is enough to simply exclude from the diet for a specific day a product with a similar energy value. Thus, the products are simply mutually replaced, without affecting the figure at all.
And, of course, we shouldn’t forget about physical activity, which should be present in the life of every person, regardless of whether the desire to lose weight is inherent in his life or not.
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Caloric content of young corn
Often, the caloric content has a generally accepted value - about 100 Kcal. However, in some cases, it may differ slightly. It all depends on how young the vegetable was.
Corn that has barely reached a milky white color is often used for canning. It does not have a pronounced taste, but it goes well with marinade and is ideal for an aperitif. This product has the lowest calorie content. In fact, it has not yet had time to ripen, and the main energy value will be the accompanying components.
The caloric content of young corn that has reached a yellowish color can already be attributed to the traditional value. However, why, in addition to diet, is it necessary to calculate the caloric value? This value is quite relevant in cooking, especially when choosing the right proportions of components.
Any dish prepared should be filling, but not at all cloying! And only in this case it can be sent to the guests with the firm confidence that they will like it.
Chemical composition of corn
As a rule, it is impossible to find out the chemical composition of corn directly upon purchase. However, this indicator is extremely important! After all, it is on its basis that you can create a correct and, most importantly, healthy daily diet. The chemical composition is a kind of periodic table for each product. It shows what substances it contains and in what quantities.
It contains carbohydrates and fats, which are necessary for the normal development of a young organism. Water and amino acids, which perfectly nourish the skin, giving it elasticity and color. In addition, we should not forget about microelements, without which the normal functioning of the human body is also impossible.
Zinc, copper, iron and manganese strengthen bone tissue and teeth, and the macroelements phosphorus, magnesium and calcium are responsible for active brain activity. The chemical composition implies the presence of vitamins of groups A, B, PP, K and E. Each of them is a necessary component of the normal functioning of the body.
Glycemic index of corn
Such a concept as the glycemic index plays an important role in organizing proper nutrition. We are talking about the sugar content, which, if consumed in excess, can seriously harm the body and cause a number of serious diseases. This vegetable belongs to the category of products with a glycemic index of 70. However, only a raw product has such an indicator!
During processing, this index can increase significantly. Thus, the glycemic index of flakes will already be 85, and corn served boiled - almost 90.
Based on these data, we can conditionally divide products into those that have a high glycemic index and, accordingly, a low one. And in this comparison, maize belongs to the first group.
The products in it are characterized by a high level of carbohydrates, which should be consumed with extreme caution. Of course, you should not completely deny yourself the pleasure of eating juicy corn. However, you should always remember that its glycemic index is quite high.
How to cook corn?
There are countless variations on the theme of how to cook corn today. And one of them is cooking it in a steamer. First of all, the vegetable should be washed and placed in a steamer pan. A glass of cold water should also be poured here directly to create steam. It should simmer in a steamer for no more than 15 minutes, the old one - up to 40.
Similarly, you can cook corn in a pressure cooker, as well as in a microwave, placing it in a special dish. A rather labor-intensive, but extremely tasty option is corn in milk and in cream. In this case, only the grains of the vegetable, without the cobs, are added to the boiling milk and boiled for 10 minutes. Then, to taste, cream with whipped egg whites is added and left on the fire for another 5 minutes. If necessary, you can add seasonings to the resulting dish.
This recipe cannot be called classic, and the corn in this case will lose its original appearance. However, the resulting porridge will certainly open up new facets of culinary art for those who taste it. Before choosing the best option, it is definitely worth trying each of them.
How long to cook corn?
First of all, it all depends on the type of product and, of course, on where exactly it will be cooked: in a steamer, oven, or in the traditional way on a burner.
The first two options are universal, used only in critical situations. The classic sugar variety can be brought to readiness in an average of 50 minutes.
As a rule, it should be cooked directly on the day of purchase. In this case, the vegetable will retain its freshness and delicate sweet taste. Immediately before cooking, the vegetable, together with the cobs, should be washed under running water and placed in a pan with cold water, tightly closing the lid.
The dilemma of how long to cook corn also depends on how thick the pan is. In light tin containers, water boils extremely quickly, which means that the corn will cook in a few minutes.
It should also be noted that in ceramic dishes the vegetable turns out more juicy, since it is not boiled, but brought to readiness gradually. In addition, the fire on the burner should not be too strong, so that it does not burn even in the first minute of cooking.
Can children eat corn?
When starting to feed their child, many women ask themselves whether it is possible to give corn to children? And, what is especially important, from what age? Starting from 7 months, the baby can be given grains or puree diluted with water as complementary food.
As young parents note, such complementary feeding almost always goes over well and does not cause bloating or diarrhea. In some cases, it is perceived by the child's body even better than such a neutral product as potatoes. Concerns producing baby food recommend introducing corn into the diet as early as 6 months.
However, it would be more appropriate to prepare such dishes yourself, because they are guaranteed not to contain concentrates. In some cases, when looking for an answer to the question of whether it is possible to give corn to children, it would be most appropriate for parents to consult a pediatrician. He, like no one else, knowing the child's body, will be able to clearly determine which products should be immediately introduced into the diet, and which ones should be abandoned for now.
Corn during pregnancy
Is corn contraindicated during pregnancy? This question probably worries most lovers of this product who are happily expecting a child. And the answer to this question can only be positive, because maize is an extremely nutritious product. It allows you to quickly get rid of toxicosis, normalize your well-being and support the body. However, you should first consult a doctor so as not to cause the opposite effect.
As a rule, expectant mothers can eat this vegetable in absolutely any form, without fear of harming either themselves or the child. The only thing that should be avoided is canned food. It probably contains synthetic substances that a woman tries to avoid during pregnancy.
The most optimal option in which corn can be consumed during pregnancy is porridge, especially with the addition of fruits and vegetables. In this way, the expectant mother will even be able to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, with which problems can also be observed during this period.
Can a nursing mother eat corn?
Most women, having given birth to a child, constantly ask themselves whether a nursing mother can eat corn. They say that it is a rather heavy product that is extremely difficult to digest. Will it not harm the fragile and not yet formed body of a child who is fed exclusively with mother's milk? As studies show - no!
Corn grits, prepared at home, will eventually be used even for complementary feeding of the child. And, therefore, it is not a problem if a young mother pampers herself with it. The only reason why you can refuse it is individual intolerance. A woman's body after childbirth can slightly change its usual preferences.
In some cases, even an allergy that was previously unknown may appear. Therefore, in order to ensure that you and your child do not harm yourself, the question of whether corn is allowed for a nursing mother, a woman should discuss with her doctor. It is he who, based on clinical studies, will be able to give an unambiguous answer.
Corn during breastfeeding
More than a dozen specialists have studied this issue and to date they have been able to come to a clear opinion.
Due to the high percentage of fiber, it helps restore the body weakened by pregnancy and childbirth. Fiber perfectly nourishes the skin, allowing it to quickly return to its original appearance and even get rid of stretch marks all over the body, which are a serious problem for all young mothers.
In addition, this vegetable contains an extremely rare enzyme - gold, which is responsible for active brain activity. By eating corn, a young mother saturates not only her body. She also passes this substance to her child. Quite often, after childbirth, a woman may experience a disruption in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
In this case, a decoction of stigmas is very helpful, as it has a beneficial effect on the child’s body.
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Corn on a diet
Corn is often used as an auxiliary product when dieting. And it is very much in vain! By choosing a corn diet for yourself, you can lose an order of magnitude more kilograms than on any other. Its essence lies in the fact that in the first two days of the diet, at least 400 grams of corn are consumed in absolutely any of its manifestations: boiled, porridge, stew, salads and mashed potatoes.
The most important thing is not to dilute your meals with other foods, even your favorites. In the next two days, the amount of corn is reduced to 200 grams per day and combined with meat and fish. As a drink, it is recommended to choose green tea, which is ideally combined with the corn diet. This diet is considered short-term, allowing you to lose up to 5 kg.
If you plan to stay on this vegetable diet for a longer period of time, you should definitely seek help from a professional nutritionist. He or she will be able to combine this product with a number of others so that corn does not irritate the gastrointestinal tract during the diet.
Can you gain weight from corn?
The question of whether it is possible to gain weight from corn probably worries all those who are used to watching their figure. However, it is unfortunately impossible to find a clear answer to this question. Corn is a natural product rich in many vitamins.
All of them speed up metabolism, promote active brain and physical activity. However, on the other hand, the high percentage of starch in this vegetable can have a negative effect on the figure. However, lovers of this vegetable can easily neutralize this negative aspect.
In particular, we are talking about a popular dish made from corn grits - mamalyga. You can make the grits for it yourself by grinding the grains of fresh vegetables. The resulting powder, before cooking, must be placed in cold water and left in this state for several hours.
This will remove all the excess starch that contributes to weight gain. In addition, mamalyga can be supplemented with a salad of fresh vegetables, which will certainly eliminate the possibility of excess weight.
Corn poisoning
Today, corn poisoning is an extremely rare phenomenon, which means that only a few people experience it. In most cases, it occurs exclusively in animals, but in some cases, it can also be observed in humans. In particular, this may be due to a violation of the cooking technology. In poisoning, nausea and vomiting, depression and trembling in the limbs are often observed. In some cases, a person's temperature may rise. In this case, it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor who will prescribe complex treatment.
Acute food poisoning can be caused not only by a product stored in violation of technology. Most vegetables on the modern market are actively treated with chemicals against pests, which can be categorically not perceived by the human body.
In order to avoid a low-quality product, you should be extremely careful when making a purchase! The risk of poisoning is significantly reduced directly during the season, as well as from sellers whose goods have a certified quality mark.
Storing Corn
As a rule, storing corn does not cause serious questions for the average person. The product does not spoil for a long time, it can be kept until winter. In fact, this is exactly the case. However, some subtleties still exist. The thing is that after 3 - 10 days, corn begins to lose its sweetness. Of course, you can eat such a product, but it is unlikely to bring pleasure. You can increase the natural shelf life by freezing.
When defrosted, the taste of this vegetable will not be lost and, what is especially important, it can be stored for an indefinite period. However, its storage also involves another, more exotic method, invented by amateur gardeners. Thoroughly washed cobs are placed in a bowl with water. Ice, lemon juice and salt are added here. The resulting mixture together with the cobs must be left for 30 minutes. Then the grains are separated from the stalk and placed in the refrigerator. Corn is stored in this way for up to three weeks.
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