How corn porridge is beneficial for the body: properties, how many calories, features of consumption

Calorie content of corn grits porridge with milk or water

Corn porridge contains many useful elements and vitamins.
Corn porridge is a good option for those who want to lose weight or maintain normal weight . Boiled in water, it contains few calories and is well suited for this purpose.

It’s not difficult to prepare this dish: add 3 cups of water to a glass of corn grits and cook until done, adding salt to taste. The calorie content of 100 g of product will be only 75 kcal, and if you add butter, it will already be 96 kcal.

Porridge cooked with milk is the same dietary product, but its calorie content is higher. 100 g of the finished dish contains 105 kcal, and if you add butter, it will already be 120 kcal. This must be taken into account when creating a diet for those who want to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Composition and calorie content

Corn grits contain the following valuable substances:

• vitamin complex (A, B, E, H, PP, beta-carotene, niacin);
• a set of macroelements (potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, calcium, sulfur);
• saturated fatty acids;
• starch;
• monosaccharides;
• amino acids;
• complex of microelements (iron, manganese, zinc).

Ratio of BJU per 100 grams of product:

• proteins - 8.3 g;
• fats - 1.2 g;
• carbohydrates - 71 g.

The energy value of corn porridge depends on the method of its preparation. If the dish was cooked in water, then its energy value will be 85 kcal per 100 g. When preparing porridge with milk, its calorie content will increase to 105 kcal. The energy value of boiled corn porridge with butter and sugar is 120 calories.

Composition and properties of chemical elements and vitamins in corn porridge

The content of the main elements in the finished porridge is as follows:

• carbohydrates – 56%,
• proteins – 12%,
• fats – 2%,
• dietary fiber - 25%.

Due to the presence of amino acids in the product, such as lysine, arginine, tryptophan and others, protein is broken down and absorbed in the body, and folic acid contained in the porridge is recommended for women during pregnancy.

The content of microelements in cereals per 100 grams of product is given in the table:

Corn porridge is a good option for those who want to lose weight or maintain normal weight.
Useful properties of some components:

1. Calcium protects gums and enamel from damage.
2. Retinol helps preserve vision. The dish is especially useful for those who work at the computer.
3. For patients with cardiovascular diseases, the food is beneficial due to its high potassium content. It acts as a prophylactic against cardiac arrhythmia and blood pressure disorders.
4. 10% of people in the world suffer from food allergies caused by gluten. Corn does not contain gluten, so it does not cause allergies.
5. The presence of iron promotes the growth of hemoglobin and reduces the possibility of developing anemia.
6. Vitamin A and E help the skin remain elastic, strengthen nails and promote hair growth.
7. Vitamin C prevents the development of rickets.

Be sure to read: Table of calorie content of different flours: choosing the most dietary flour for weight loss

Benefits and harms

The benefit of all cereals, including corn, is that they contain large amounts of minerals and vitamins.

Content and benefits of microelements and vitamins per 100 grams of dry cereal

Even after heat treatment, all the benefits of the porridge are retained.

The benefits of B vitamins contained in cereals are simply irreplaceable. Every person is recommended to use them daily, because they do not accumulate in the body. B vitamins are responsible for many metabolic processes in the body, the proper absorption of fatty acids, proteins and carbohydrates and the release of calories into energy, acceleration of metabolism, healthy functioning of the nervous system, the function of hematopoiesis and cell division.

The benefits of corn cereal are the same for everyone; even infants can eat it, it does not cause allergies and is easily digestible. The fiber contained in the porridge removes toxins, radionuclides and waste. The benefits of constant consumption of such porridge are in strengthening the immune system, rejuvenating the body, renewing cells, and reducing the risk of cancer.

What are the harms of eating corn porridge? First of all, there is harm from insufficient energy value for people with critically low body weight; it quickly saturates, so if you are exhausted, it will not be possible to gain weight on it. There may be harm from improper storage, which will change the taste of the cereal and may cause it to go rancid. To remove bitterness, rinse it well in warm water. Otherwise, corn grits will not harm anyone, so it is recommended for both children and adults.

The benefits of corn porridge

Corn porridge is useful for all categories: children, adults and the elderly.

Useful properties for weight loss

Dietary plant fibers swell in the stomach, filling it. They create a feeling of fullness and suppress hunger.

Corn porridge for children

The dish begins to be given to the child from 9 months. It is advisable that by this time the child is already accustomed to porridges made from other cereals, such as buckwheat and rice. First, the porridge is cooked from crushed cereals, which you can prepare yourself using a coffee grinder.

It is necessary to accustom a child to such food gradually. Initially, give 1-2 teaspoons during your regular breakfast. The next day, if there is no allergy, the dose is doubled, gradually bringing it to the norm of 150 g at 9 months and 200 g at 1 year.

It is recommended to give porridge 1-2 times a week, and after one year of age add a little butter and sugar, and mix with chopped fruits or vegetables. You can cook food with water or milk, if milk does not cause digestive problems in the child.

Corn porridge for pregnant and nursing mothers

Corn porridge begins to be given to a child starting from 9 months.
The product is useful from the first months of pregnancy until childbirth. The frequency of taking corn porridge is 2-3 times a week.

After childbirth, when the baby’s ventricle has not yet fully formed, the mother should limit her consumption of porridge so as not to cause indigestion and colic in the baby. In the first months, mother should adhere to strictly dietary foods and only then gradually switch to a regular diet.

But not all pregnant women can eat this dish.

The fact is that expectant mothers experience an increase in blood viscosity before giving birth. This is a natural process, but there is a category of people with increased clotting. Eating corn porridge is unsafe for such people, as blood clots may form on the blood vessels.

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Corn porridge for the elderly

Corn contains the following elements that are beneficial for older people:

• calcium (strengthens bones);
• dietary fiber (remove harmful substances from the stomach, increase the motor function of the stomach);
• potassium (improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system);
• iron (increases hemoglobin levels);
• iodine (improves memory).

Corn grits

Yellow grain obtained from corn by crushing.

Kinds

Corn grits are divided into types depending on the size of the grains and the method of processing the grain.

In addition to regular corn grits, there is also polished corn grits, which is made by crushing the kernel, resulting in grains of various shapes. With this processing method, the germ is separated from the grains, and each grain is formed into a rounded shape. Polished grains are divided into five types according to the size of the grains.

Calorie content

100 grams of product contains 328 kilocalories.

Compound

Corn grits contain carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, E, PP, H, mineral elements (aluminum, sulfur, titanium, sulfur, boron, phosphorus, sodium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron , copper, molybdenum, chromium, manganese, tin, cobalt, nickel).

How to cook

Corn porridge is cooked in water or milk. The cereal is poured into a boiling liquid to which salt and sugar are added. The porridge is cooked over low heat until completely cooked. After this, it is recommended to leave it for some time.

Corn porridge is consumed as an independent dish; fresh berries, fruits, dried fruits, honey, preserves, and jams are added to it.

The cereal is used to prepare casseroles, soups, hominy, and pie filling.

Storage

Corn grits need proper storage, which means optimal temperature and humidity. This product is best preserved at temperatures from +5 to -5 degrees and humidity from 60 to 70 percent.

It is not recommended to stock up on large quantities of corn grits, as it may harbor insect larvae and mites.

It is best to store it in a glass container, since plastic packaging can give it a rancid taste and unpleasant odor.

Beneficial features

The calorie content of corn grits is quite low, so porridge is considered a dietary product. It does not cause allergies, therefore it is widely used in baby food.

Corn grits promote the removal of radionuclides, toxins, carcinogens, and waste from the body, improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and prevent putrefactive processes and fermentation in the digestive organs.

In addition, it strengthens the immune system, the cardiovascular system, helps get rid of bad cholesterol, improves the condition of blood vessels, normalizes blood pressure, and heals nails, hair and skin.

Restrictions on use

Corn grits are not recommended for consumption during exacerbation of stomach and duodenal ulcers, with individual intolerance, as well as for people with low body weight, since it reduces appetite.

Features of eating corn porridge

Healthy people can eat corn porridge without restrictions , although nutritionists recommend 2-3 times a week.

But people suffering from various diseases may experience problems with uncontrolled nutrition. Therefore, it is better to consult your doctor first.

For gastritis

The diet of patients with gastritis is meager; they are forced to give up many dishes so that the level of acid in the intestines is normal. Porridge will not cause harm, it can be eaten for breakfast or lunch, and the dietary fiber contained in the product will help improve the functioning of the stomach and remove accumulated toxins.

But there are also restrictions: the product cannot be eaten during an exacerbation of the disease. It is allowed to take it when the attack passes. The dish is consumed warm; if the porridge is thick, then it is diluted.

For pancreatitis

A person who suffers from chronic pancreatitis can eat porridge when there is no exacerbation of the disease.

You can still introduce corn porridge into your diet, but only in small portions

The product contains large amounts of coarse dietary fiber, and even prolonged cooking does not make it softer. The patient's pancreas becomes sensitive and irritable, so rough food can cause an attack of pancreatitis.

You can still introduce corn porridge into your diet, but only in small portions, and if undesirable symptoms appear, then you should temporarily exclude this product from the menu and consult your doctor.

For diabetes

The diet for patients with type 2 diabetes is developed taking into account the glycemic index, abbreviated as GI.

This is an indicator of blood glucose levels after a meal. Corn porridge has a GI of 50. This means that this product is safe and can be included in the diet.

Eating porridge helps diabetic patients fight excess weight; the dish saturates the body, is digested slowly and dulls the feeling of hunger.

What are the benefits of corn porridge?

This dish is useful not only for those who are on a diet, it will benefit at any age thanks to the valuable substances it contains. But you should not abuse the product so as not to harm the body.

For women and men

The benefits and harms of eating porridge are the same for both sexes. The product has dietary properties, but contains many calories.

• By consuming the dish in the first half of the day, you can recharge your energy until the evening. Attention! This beneficial property of corn porridge is valuable for athletes.

• Including it in the menu normalizes digestion.
• Phosphatides contained in cereals regulate cholesterol levels. As a result, the walls of blood vessels become elastic and clean. The functionality of the circulatory system improves, blood clots do not form.
• For women, the presence of corn in the diet is very beneficial. It affects the beauty and health of hair and nails due to the presence of zinc in it.
• The cobalt content has a positive effect on the pancreas.

For the elderly

Older people often suffer from diabetes, experience gastrointestinal problems, and complain of blood diseases. This product will fit perfectly into their diet.

Health benefits of corn porridge for older people:

• The content of unsaturated fatty acids, which are involved in the regulation of cholesterol.
• Useful elements that influence the immune system and the regulation of vital processes.
• Fiber, which cleanses the internal environment of harmful substances.

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How to make healthy porridge from corn grits

A healthy cereal dish is cooked in water without adding additives: oil, sugar, meat, fruit. Only such a dietary product will bring maximum benefit to the body.

The most delicious and soft porridge is obtained if you cook the cereal in a slow cooker.

The process consists of the following steps:

1. Rinse the cereal until the water becomes clear and pour into the multicooker container.
2. Fill with water, add salt to taste.
3. Set the time (1 hour) and operating mode (“Porridge”) on the multicooker panel.
4. After finishing the cooking process, try the dish. If the cereal grains are not cooked well, extend the cooking time for another 20 minutes.

Is corn porridge good for weight loss?

The article has already mentioned the dietary properties of the product more than once. To lose weight, people make sacrifices by depriving themselves of food and suffering from hunger. Stress appears and health problems may arise. Maize porridge can solve these problems.

Not only will the product allow you to lose excess weight, but it will also solve the problem of hunger. Due to the presence of complex carbohydrates, people feel full when eating corn dishes. Fiber cleanses the body of harmful substances. In a week, people can lose up to 5 kg of weight without experiencing discomfort or causing harm to the body.

How to make hominy from corn grits

Mamalyga from corn grits
Mamalyga (corn cake) is a common dish in Georgia and Moldova . The flatbread is considered the second bread. Cooking time is about an hour; it is better to cook the dish in a cauldron.

Cooking steps:

1. For 2 cups of cereal take 6 cups of water. Place the cauldron on the fire, pour in water and add a little cereal and salt.
2. When the water boils, pour the remaining grain into the cauldron in a stream, stirring continuously all the time.
3. When cooking, the mamalyga will begin to thicken in the cauldron, then, while stirring with a spoon, separate the porridge from the walls of the vessel.
4. The stirring process continues throughout the cooking time, with the addition of a spoonful of olive oil or butter.

It turns out to be a round flatbread, which is used instead of bread.

Types of cereals, selection and storage

Cereals are available in two types: polished and crushed. In turn, ground grains have 5 grinding levels, the finest is No. 5, the coarsest is No. 1. Crushed grits are used to make corn flakes, and polished grits are supplied to the retail chain.

Cereals should be stored in a cool place in fabric bags or paper bags.

But during storage, moths or bugs may appear in the cereal, so from time to time it is necessary to carry out a preventive inspection of the cereal. If pests are found, then bake the cereal on a baking sheet in the oven.