Not only is corn great in taste, but it has also long since been hailed as one of the best foods for losing weight. It is a starchy food high in carbs, which should ideally make it a no-no on a weight loss diet. But despite this, corn remains a staple in the diets of most weight-watchers. So what makes corn good for weight loss? Let’s find out!
Contents:Corn is considered a vegetable when raw and a whole grain when dried. There are several varieties of corn, all of which are used for various purposes (to make oil, corn syrup, popcorn kernels, cattle feed, etc.) One such variety is sweet corn.
Sweet corn is an excellent source of fiber, carbohydrates, protein, vitamin C, vitamin A, carotenoids, potassium, and other essential nutrients and antioxidants. It is also relatively low in calories while having a high carbohydrate (starch) content.
The following is the nutritional profile for 100 g of raw sweet corn, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Nutrient | Amount |
Energy | 86 kcal |
Water | 76 g |
Protein | 3.27 g |
Fat | 1.35 g |
Carbohydrate | 18.7 g |
Sugars
| 6.26 g 5.7 g |
Fiber | 2 g |
Potassium | 270 mg |
Sweet corn is high in water, fiber, and protein content, which helps in curbing hunger and promoting satiety. The fiber in corn is called cellulose, which is insoluble in water. However, it still absorbs water and bulks up, which keeps you full for a longer time. This helps you cut down on overeating and snacking, leading to a lowered calorie intake. Dietary fiber also slows down the absorption of calories in your gut.
The fiber in corn can help speed up the digestion process, which can alleviate digestive problems like constipation. A healthy and functional digestive system is crucial to maintaining and losing weight.
Limit your corn intake to one cup or 160 to 170 g per day to lose weight. Though corn is low in calories and high in fiber, its high carbohydrate content could cause weight gain if eaten in excess.
Including corn in your breakfast can help kickstart your metabolism so you can burn more calories throughout the day. It also curbs your appetite so you can go without a snack till lunchtime.
Making corn a part of your appetizer dish can prevent you from overeating during meals, which lowers your calorie intake.
If you often feel hungry in the evening or between meals, try snacking on corn instead of items such as biscuits, chips, namkeen, etc.
Corn is an excellent source of carbohydrates that can fuel your body before and after a workout. It is essential to eat a carbohydrate-rich snack when exercising so that your body does not use protein as a fuel source. Further, the protein in corn helps you build lean muscle.
Like any other food, eating too much corn could lead to weight gain as it is rich in carbohydrates. Portion control is the key to keeping your weight in check when eating corn. The fiber in corn can cause bloating and indigestion if eaten in excess.
Also, always consume dried corn as whole grain as some of its products like corn syrup and corn flour (corn starch) are processed foods that have been proven to cause weight gain and other health issues.
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