It has long been known that any cereal is a source of strength and contains useful vitamins and minerals that help maintain the body in good shape. It’s not for nothing that in childhood, when I couldn’t cope with a task requiring physical activity, adults often said: “I didn’t eat enough porridge.” And indeed, any porridge seems to charge you with optimism, vigor and endows you with remarkable strength. One of these cereals is corn grits.
A little history
The origin of this culture was unknown for a long time. A group of scientists from the Philadelphia Institute provided evidence that corn, as a cultivated plant, appeared about 8,700 years ago in Mexico. And it came from its wild ancestor - teosinte. Corn played a special role among the ancient Aztecs, because even one of the gods in their religion was the god of corn - Centeotl. Most corn is consumed in Latin American countries. It is the basis of the cuisines of Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Paraguay, Ecuador and Peru.
Content:
- A little history
- Composition and nutritional value
- Types of corn grits
- Storage and use of cereals in cooking
- The benefits of corn grits
- Harm of corn grits
- Corn grits for weight loss
- Corn grits in cosmetology
- conclusions
There is hardly a person in the whole world who does not love corn, one only has to remember boiled, salted heads of cabbage, tightly stuffed with grains. And what about corn sticks and flakes, which are in great demand among children? Corn grits, obtained from dried and processed corn grains, are used successfully not only in cooking, but also in pharmacology, due to its productive medicinal properties.
Composition and nutritional value
Corn itself is a very valuable nutritious product. Despite the fact that corn grits are quite high in calories (328 kcal per 100 g of product), they are very widely used in the diet menu. It is ideal for a balanced diet, as it is rich in healthy fiber, which is indispensable in various diets. Cereals contain many vitamins and microelements and are famous for the presence of such important amino acids as tryptophan and lysine. It contains silicon, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, tin, titanium, aluminum, nickel, and many other minerals. Corn grits are simply a storehouse of vitamins that are very beneficial for the body: vitamin A, B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, folic and pantothenic acids, pyridoxine), niacin equivalent (vitamin PP), beta-carotene, vitamin E, and many others. The nutritional value of corn grits is lower than that of others. Protein content – 8.2 g, fat – 1.2 g, carbohydrates – 75 g per 100 g of product. It also contains ash - 0.8 g, starch - 69.5 g, water - 13.9 g and dietary fiber - 4.7 g per 100 g of cereal.
The essence of the diet
The corn weight loss program is considered fast, as it lasts only 4 days. Often nutritionists use it as a preparatory step for more stringent diets.
This is interesting! Corn porridge can reduce fat, cleanse the intestines and blood, and accustom the body to foods of plant origin.
This diet is cyclical: the same stage is repeated after 4 weeks. Its duration is 2 months, but the peculiarity is that the restrictive stage lasts 4 days, and the remaining 26 days are allowed to supplement the diet with familiar foods. You should only exclude fatty foods, foods that contain many chemical additives, as well as high-calorie sweets. A person losing weight should eat 4-6 times a day, but in small portions. This is necessary in order to quickly lose weight, since in 4 days the volume of the stomach has decreased, so a person can feel full by eating less food. And the amount of liquid consumed should be increased to 2.5-3 liters, since cereal absorbs excess liquid, which threatens dehydration.
This is an effective method, since corn grains contain special enzymes that quickly break down fats. Then the body receives a minimum amount of natural fats, which leads to an increase in the rate of processing of lipids from its own reserves in the subcutaneous adipose tissue. They do not have time to accumulate during the intermediate stage (26 days), so the result lasts for a long time.
Another feature of the corn diet is the variety of forms of the main ingredient. That is, a person can lose weight not only on porridge, but also on boiled cobs, unsweetened cereals, and canned food. But the most popular option is cereal, since it is the most affordable, has a pleasant taste, goes well with other products from the approved list, has many beneficial properties, and accelerates the breakdown of fats.
Attention! The corn diet should be abandoned in case of thrombophlebitis, gastrointestinal diseases (including ulcers), bleeding disorders, and also during lactation.
It will be useful for those losing weight to know that the glycemic index of corn porridge is 70, so you should not follow the diet for more than 4 days. The calorie content of a dish cooked with water does not exceed 140 kcal per 100 g.
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Storage and use of cereals in cooking
Corn grits should be stored at a low temperature from -5 to 5 degrees in a well-humidified room (up to 70% humidity). It is difficult to find a place at home that meets such conditions, so it is advisable to buy a small amount of cereal and not leave it for long-term storage. Sometimes larvae and bugs appear in the cereal. Such cereals are no longer suitable for food. It should be thrown away, and the place where it was stored should be washed well with water and ventilated. It is advisable to store cereals in a glass container tightly closed. The shelf life of corn grits is 6 months.
Corn grits are highly valued in cooking as they are considered an easily digestible product. Many different dishes are prepared from it - soups, side dishes, various casseroles. The cereal is low-allergenic, which characterizes it very well as one of the baby food dishes. Corn grits have rightfully taken their place in the cuisines of different nations. In Italy, a delicious dish called polenta is prepared from it. In Moldova - the familiar hominy. Abkhazia offers its gourmets abysta, and Georgia offers gomi. In western Ukraine, a national dish is prepared from corn flour - banosh, which is boiled with cream or sour cream and served with feta cheese, cracklings or mushrooms. Corn also produces such delicious products as sticks, cereal and the well-known popcorn (puffed corn).
Hutsul banosh
To prepare the dish you will need:
- sour cream – 500 g;
- water – 500 g;
- corn grits - 1 cup;
- salt;
- cracklings.
For cooking, it is better to use finely ground corn grits. This will make the porridge tasty and more homogeneous.
Pour water and sour cream into a thick-walled pan, preferably cast iron, and add salt. Place on the fire and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Add corn grits and cook over low heat for about 10-15 minutes. The consistency of the porridge should resemble store-bought sour cream. It is good to use clay pots to serve the dish. Place a few spoons of porridge there and decorate with cracklings, cheese or mushrooms on top. The dish is considered ready when oil comes out on top.
Corn porridge with broccoli and cauliflower
A vitamin side dish that goes well with both fish and meat.
Ingredients:
- Corn grits – 200 gr.
- Broth – 500 ml.
- Salt and spices to taste
- Broccoli – 100 gr.
- Cauliflower – 100 gr.
- Butter
Preparation:
Boil broccoli and cauliflower. Separately cook the corn porridge. Add salt and spices. Cut the cabbage into small pieces and stir into the porridge. Add butter. Ready.
The benefits of corn grits
Corn grits porridge has a very low calorie content - only 86 kcal per 100 grams of product, so its use is advisable when losing weight. It is recommended for people who lead a healthy lifestyle, since despite its dietary value, it gives a feeling of fullness and reduces appetite. Corn grits contain a lot of useful elements and minerals that have a beneficial effect on the body. For example, silicon, which corn is rich in, is very good for teeth, and calcium and potassium strengthen hair and nails. Fiber, contained in large quantities in cereals, cleanses the intestines well of toxins, and also effectively removes harmful toxins and pesticides from the body. Beta-carotene reduces the likelihood of developing cancer several times, and phosphorus improves the functioning of the central nervous system, relieves overexcitation and prevents depressive disorders. Magnesium and vitamin B6, among other things, can increase the body’s resistance to stress and neuralgia.
If you use corn grits in your daily diet, this will strengthen the immune system, get rid of fermentation in the intestines and frequent constipation. Corn has a beneficial effect on the walls of blood vessels and significantly reduces cholesterol in the blood, which has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. It is useful in the prevention of diabetes, blood and gall bladder diseases. Corn grits can remove fats from the body and promote skin rejuvenation. It is a low-allergenic product, therefore it is often in demand as baby food.
I would like to note that corn does not lose its properties even when cooked, that is, a heat-treated product made from corn grits retains all the beneficial and healing qualities contained in its raw form.
Corn porridge - how to cook 15 varieties
- Sweet corn porridge with milk
- Corn porridge with tender pumpkin
- Corn porridge with beef stew
- Italian corn polenta with cheese
- Mamalyga - corn porridge in Moldavian style
- Corn porridge with brisket and cream
- Corn porridge with croutons and fried onions in French
- Fragrant corn grits pilaf with chicken
- Corn porridge for breakfast in a slow cooker
- Corn porridge with broccoli and cauliflower
- Corn porridge with dried fruits and raisins
- Cheesy corn porridge in a slow cooker
- Great corn polenta with mushrooms in the oven
- Corn “pizza” with vegetables and cheese
- Quick corn porridge “Minutka”
Harm of corn grits
Each product has both advantages and disadvantages. It’s just that in some places they are expressed to a lesser extent, in others to a greater extent. Corn grits significantly reduce appetite, so they are contraindicated for people who are underweight. It is also not recommended to use corn dishes during an exacerbation of a stomach ulcer, since the fiber contained in the cereal can irritate the walls of the internal organs. You should not abuse it if you have increased blood clotting. In general, the risk of eating corn grits is minimal, but if you have any doubts about its use, it is better to consult a doctor before use.
Corn grits for weight loss
Corn grits are a very dietary product, which is why they are widely used in weight loss programs. Everyone, of course, knows the dangers of diets that make it possible to quickly and effectively lose extra pounds. They imply giving up many of your favorite foods, as well as limiting the amount of food in principle. As a result, a person has a constant feeling of hunger, which leads to stress throughout the body.
But there are also diets in which you can lose weight without feeling hungry. One such diet is the corn diet. All you need to do is eat corn porridge every day, replacing breakfast, lunch and dinner with it. Moreover, all this varies within the required limits. If, for example, urgently losing weight is not part of your plans, then it is recommended to replace only breakfasts with porridge, and if you want to enhance the effect, then also subsequent meals. A prerequisite for this diet is the consumption of large amounts of water. It must be cleaned and non-carbonated. The water requirement for a corn diet is up to 2.5 liters per day. Also, to speed up metabolic processes, do not forget about physical exercise. In addition, they will help tighten the skin, which is very useful for express diets.
Corn porridge recipe for weight loss
Corn flour porridge for dietary purposes should be prepared without additives. It requires a long cooking time, so you should first rinse the cereal to remove starch and soak it overnight in cold water. During the soaking process, the cereal will swell and increase in size, which will significantly reduce the cooking time - from 40 to 20 minutes. To prepare you will need:
- corn grits, pre-soaked in cold water;
- water.
Pour the cereal with hot water in a ratio of 1:3, cook over low heat until the liquid has completely evaporated.
A diet based on corn grits will not only help you lose weight, but will also remove dangerous waste and toxins and saturate the body with the beneficial substances that make up its composition.
Fragrant corn grits pilaf with chicken
If you don't have rice on hand, you can make corn pilaf for dinner. The original solution will appeal to your household.
Ingredients:
- Corn grits – 250 gr.
- Vegetable broth – 700 ml.
- Chicken fillet – 200 gr.
- Carrots – 1 pc.
- Onions – 1 pc.
- Vegetable oil – 3 tbsp.
- Salt to taste
- Thyme, thyme, pepper to taste
Preparation:
Cut the chicken fillet into medium-sized pieces. Grate the carrots or cut into small cubes. Chop the onion. In a saucepan or deep frying pan with a thick bottom, fry the onions and carrots in vegetable oil for 10 minutes, add the chicken fillet and fry for 10 minutes, pour in the broth, stir. After the broth boils, add the cereal. To cover with a lid. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, periodically adding broth. Before turning off, add spices and salt. Let it brew for 10-20 minutes. Serve pilaf with vegetables and herbs.
Corn grits in cosmetology
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Since this cereal contains a huge amount of useful elements, such a field of medicine as cosmetology could not ignore it. At home, it is often used to deeply cleanse and nourish the skin. Scrubs and peelings are prepared from it, and it is also used as a means to combat cellulite. Corn grits have characteristic sharp corners, so they are used in places where the skin is rougher: elbows, heels, knees.
Preparing a gel scrub at home: corn grits, ground coffee, shower gel, sea salt, essential oils and honey. Mix everything and treat rough skin. This scrub will wonderfully cleanse, polish the skin, and also enrich it with useful substances, soften and intensively moisturize it.
To combat cellulite, you can use corn flour. Treat problem areas of pre-cleansed and steamed skin with flour for about 15 minutes. This is best done while taking a bath. After several procedures, the result will pleasantly surprise and delight you.
conclusions
Corn grits are a rich source of vitamins, minerals and trace elements beneficial to the body. Its daily consumption helps improve immunity, remove toxins, harmful pesticides and dangerous toxins from the body. Corn grits are an indispensable helper for those suffering from gastrointestinal disorders. It cleanses it of decay products, eliminates fermentation and putrefactive processes in the intestines. Corn grits are rich in fiber, which is why they are confidently in demand among nutritionists. It can relieve hunger for a long time and is effective for those who want to lose weight or suffer from physical inactivity (lead a sedentary lifestyle).
Corn grits are effective in many medical areas: it prevents the development of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, lowers cholesterol, is useful for disorders of the nervous system and helps eliminate depression. Porridges prepared from this cereal do not cause allergies, therefore they are included in the main diet of children. She is also good at cosmetology. You can use it to make scrubs, masks and even anti-cellulite products. Corn grits have practically no contraindications for use; you should use it with caution only during an exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease and with increased blood clotting. Eating products made from corn grits will make you slimmer, improve your skin and health, and also fill you with vigor and energy.
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Main conclusions
A diet based on corn porridge will really help you lose 3 to 4 kg per week and improve your body health. But to do this you need to follow the basic rules of this nutrition program:
- Before going on a diet, you should consult a nutritionist.
- In the first 4 days, corn porridge is supplemented with fruits, vegetables, low-fat fermented milk products, and then the diet is supplemented with a small amount of fish and meat.
- Before cooking, the cereal must be soaked and rinsed several times. This allows you to reduce calorie content, reduce cooking time, and retain more nutrients.
- During the corn diet, you should drink 2.5 to 3 liters of water.
- It is better to eat porridge for breakfast and lunch to satisfy hunger for a long time and speed up fat burning. For dinner, light fermented milk products, vegetables or fruits are more suitable.
- In the first 4 days, porridge should be prepared without adding salt, sugar, or butter. Then you can cook the dish using low-fat milk mixed with water.
- During the restrictive period (4 days), those losing weight eat 400 g of porridge, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat sour milk. Then the portion of the main dish is reduced, and the menu becomes more varied.
The corn diet is easy to use, does not require time or material waste, and allows you to get your figure in order in just 2 months. In addition, digestion, metabolic processes, and the functioning of all systems improve.
Tell us in the comments about your experience with the corn porridge diet. Share new recipes based on corn grits that you have added to the menu.
