Corn sticks - harm or benefit? Corn sticks - they are beneficial or harmful to the body.

Corn sticks are made by processing corn grits. Under the action of high temperature, almost all chemical elements are destroyed in the cereal. The most resistant to heat treatment vitamins (B2 and PP) remain, but their number is significantly reduced. Despite the low content of useful elements, corn sticks are an affordable and popular delicacy among children and adults. What properties do they have?

Benefit


Corn sticks cannot be called a dietary product. They contain a lot of sugar, do not remove toxins, and do not have a therapeutic effect on the body.

There are few useful properties of a sweet product. It contains fast, that is, able to instantly break down into glucose, carbohydrates, due to which it instantly restores the body's strength. This delicacy is useful for breakfast as a final meal.

The product contains a significant amount of vitamin B2. This element is necessary for people whose work leads to an overload of the nervous system. Vitamin B2 affects the condition of the skin, making it soft and smooth. Cornmeal sticks contain no a large number of macro- and microelements.

The most useful are those corn sticks that quickly dissolve in the mouth: they are made without artificial additives. If the delicacy is very crunchy on the teeth or chewed for a long time, then the process of its manufacture is violated.

Harm

The use of corn sticks in unlimited quantities can lead to problems with being overweight and worsen the condition of diabetes.

The product is not good for digestion. Groats after processing are completely deprived of dietary fiber, which are responsible for the normal functioning of the large intestine, absorb toxins and reduce the amount of sugar in the blood. Frequent indulgence in sweet sticks can lead to increased gas formation and slow down the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract.

After eating 2 packs of the product, the recommended average daily intake of polyunsaturated fats is exceeded by 20%. The content of saturated fats and carbohydrates in the treat is normal.

The production of sticks from corn grits does not require significant financial costs and sophisticated equipment, therefore, artificial sweeteners, emulsifiers, flavors, and dyes are often included in their manufacture instead of sugar (powdered sugar). A large concentration of these substances in the product can lead to problems with the gastrointestinal tract, the development of allergies, and the occurrence of oncological formations.

Corn sticks are produced without the use of GMOs.

calories

The calorie content of 100 g of corn sticks is 518 kcal, which is 24.79% of the recommended daily allowance. The table shows the energy value of 1 medium package of the product:

Contraindications

During pregnancy, it is contraindicated to get involved in corn sticks. Their use can contribute to the rapid weight gain of the expectant mother, which is especially undesirable in the last weeks before childbirth. Treats should be eliminated from your diet by pregnant women with high blood sugar levels.

Corn sticks are contraindicated for infants. They can be offered to babies after 3 years, but in strictly limited quantities. Immoderate or early use of this delicacy by a child can disrupt his metabolism, cause malfunctions in the gastrointestinal tract, cause allergic reactions and obesity in the future. Do not feed children a product that contains flavors and sweeteners.

Corn sticks are contraindicated in

  • bowel dysfunction;
  • diabetes mellitus;
  • allergies;
  • flatulence;
  • excess weight.

The nutritional value

Vitamins and minerals

Corn sticks are made from processed grain, so the elements necessary for the human body are present in them in a minimal amount. This product will bring benefits if used in moderation to quickly replenish energy. In order not to get a treat with toxic additives, you should give preference to manufacturing companies with a good reputation.

Corn sticks are a favorite treat for children, but adults don't mind eating them either. Modern manufacturing companies produce products for every taste. On sale you will find corn sticks with condensed milk, baked milk, nuts and even bacon. This raises the question of what benefit or harm a treat can bring. Let's consider the main criteria in more detail.

Technology for making corn sticks

  1. The basis of production is corn flour. However, during the heat treatment process, the main ingredient loses a lot of useful qualities, which are simply destroyed by high temperatures. Flour itself is useful, but in sticks it plays a secondary role.
  2. In order to give the treat a certain taste, powdered sugar is added. On an industrial scale, corn sticks are prepared with the addition of various flavors, flavor enhancers (bacon, shrimp, cheese, etc.). To make the delicacy more useful, the sticks are supplied with vitamin complexes.
  3. As for the direct cooking technology, it is quite laborious. To obtain a dessert, raw materials go through several stages, each of which has its own role. The basis is whole corn kernels, which are subsequently dried and ground into dust.
  4. When the grinding is over, the flour is sifted. Due to this, large particles that spoil the consistency do not get into the raw material. The end result is cornmeal free of impurities (pure).
  5. At the next production stage, the flour is combined with flavors and flavors, and sweeteners are added if necessary.
  6. This process also lies in the elimination of moisture that appears in the flour. For this, special equipment is used that turns flour into a plastic mass.
  7. When everything is ready, it remains to form corn sticks. They are placed in an extruder, which produces a certain temperature regime when heated. The mixture passes through the equipment, foams, acquires bubbles in the cavity and increases in volume.
  8. At the exit, the knives cut the finished product to give the sticks the desired size. At the final stage, processing with vegetable oil and the addition of flavoring seasonings and sweeteners are carried out.

The benefits of corn sticks

  1. Despite the fact that the treat was loved by many, the beneficial and harmful qualities of the product have relatively equal power. It is important to understand that all good things should be in moderation. Therefore, you should not consume corn sticks in large volumes.
  2. There is no set amount to be accepted. It all depends on the preferences of the person and the characteristics of the body. Experts who have been working in the field of proper nutrition for many years allow consumption of about 1 pack of sticks per day. Adults can increase the volume to 1.5-2 packs per day.
  3. The beneficial qualities of the treat are due to the high content of carbohydrates. They quickly enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. A delicacy should be eaten with chronic fatigue, loss of strength, apathy, bad mood and depression.
  4. Corn sticks quickly satisfy hunger, because they swell when they enter the stomach. If the appetite has made itself felt, eat a few pieces. A nutritious product will give energy, but not for long. Sticks also improve mental activity and memory.
  5. Since the sticks have a relatively high calorie content (about 300-350 kcal per 100 rubles), it is better to consume them in the morning. This will tell your body that it's time to wake up. It is better to combine treats with sour berries and fruits, as well as milk.

  1. In some cases, it is worth limiting the eating of corn treats. Do not give the product to children under 2 years of age. There is no officially defined age for the consumption of sticks, nutritionists recommend that you still adhere to the figures given.
  2. When choosing a treat, it is important to pay attention to the composition of the product. It should contain as few preservatives, dyes and flavor enhancers as possible. If the treat is covered only with powdered sugar, it is considered more natural.
  3. In this case, sticks can be given to children after 2 years as a dessert. Avoid foods loaded with preservatives. If you are in the position or period of lactation, the consumption of the product should be strictly limited. Otherwise, you risk quickly gaining extra pounds.
  4. Therefore, it is important to monitor the mark of your own weight. Do not neglect the recommendations if you do not want to become the owner of magnificent forms. While breastfeeding, sticks can harm the baby. The composition in milk can cause an allergic reaction and flatulence in a baby.
  5. If you decide to lose unwanted pounds with the help of a special diet, eating sticks, even in small quantities, can ruin your plans. Therefore, it is worth thinking carefully before eating a treat. Sticks are quite high in calories, do not forget about it.
  6. If you suffer from problems related to the gastrointestinal tract, corn treats are strictly contraindicated. Such ailments include ulcers, gastritis and pancreatitis. Small consumption of sticks is allowed during the remission period after agreement with the attending physician.

Harm of corn sticks

  1. It is important to understand that such a specific product can harm the human body. Remember, a corn treat is a high-carbohydrate food that has a correspondingly high energy value.
  2. Hence it is worth knowing that a treat can cause irreparable harm to the body with obesity, diabetes, chronic skin diseases, gastrointestinal upset and allergies to the constituent components of the product.
  3. Even in the absence of contraindications and excellent health, the abuse of chopsticks can play a cruel joke on you. A treat can significantly raise blood glucose levels, provoke indigestion and weight gain.
  4. Currently, modern production of corn delicacy occurs with the use of non-natural components. The product contains practically no natural additives. From this it should be concluded that the treat is not able to benefit a person.
  5. Don't put high hopes on a corn treat. Do not expect that if you eat sticks in a limited amount, you will be able to overcome any ailment. Remember, the product remains just a sweet treat that is more suitable as a dessert.

Corn sticks are more of a favorite and tasty treat than a wholesome food. During the heat treatment process, the flour loses its properties, artificial flavors and flavor enhancers are added to the composition. Due to the high calorie content, the delicacy cannot be consumed immensely, because there is a risk of gaining extra pounds. To reduce possible harm, you need to eat the product in the morning.

Video: how corn sticks are made

Corn is very useful, but when breastfeeding, you need to pay special attention to how to eat this product. Corn porridge and boiled corn are considered the most useful and safe. On rare occasions, a breastfeeding mom might treat herself to corn flakes. But fresh and canned corn, as well as corn sticks, should be discarded. Such products contain preservatives, dyes and various chemicals that are harmful and even dangerous to the health of the baby.

The benefits of corn and corn porridge

Corn contains a large amount of fiber and helps to quickly satisfy hunger. It energizes the body, gives strength and vigor, strengthens the muscles of the heart and blood vessels, improves the functioning of the intestines and digestion. In addition, this product removes toxins and toxins, helps with skin diseases, improves the condition of teeth, hair and nails. Corn contains vitamins C and D, K, P and E.

Corn porridge is especially useful for nursing mothers and babies. It effectively cleanses the body, improves digestion and improves immunity. The great advantage of this dish is that it rarely causes allergies. But this is very important for babies, whose body is not yet strong. In addition, corn porridge is low in calories, so this dish is included in the diet menu.

However, the use of such a dish is allowed no more than twice a week. Porridge contains a large amount of starch, which causes heaviness in the stomach, leads to constipation and impaired stool. In the first two or three months of lactation, you need to cook porridge only with water, since milk often causes food allergies in infants.

Harm of canned corn

Breastfeeding is an important stage in the life of a mother and in the development of a baby. Therefore, during this period, it is important for a woman to carefully monitor the diet and select only high-quality safe foods. After all, food along with breast milk goes to the baby. It can cause a negative reaction in a child. In infants, colic intensifies and gas formation increases, sometimes food allergies and even poisoning appear.

When asked if a nursing mother can have canned corn, doctors unequivocally answer that it is impossible. Such factory blanks contain flavor enhancers and dyes. And in iron cans where the product is located, you can often find bisphenol. Bisphenol has an extremely negative effect on the stomach and endocrine system, heart and blood vessels, and provokes the development of cancer.

In what form should a nursing mother eat corn?

To the question of whether it is possible to boiled corn for a nursing mother: the unequivocal answer is yes. Boiled cobs are probably one of the healthiest options. It is recommended to cook for 2-3 hours and eat without or with a small amount of salt. The advantage of such a product is that it can be considered dietary - 360 calories per 100 grams.

Corn porridge cooked in water or milk can also be considered a good alternative. The cereal itself is rich in fiber and minerals, helps to remove toxins and toxins, strengthens the immune system, and normalizes bowel function, which is very important for a woman who has just given birth. Tasty and healthy, but should not be abused by those who suffer from constipation, as a large amount of starch in these cereals can hold the stool together. 2-3 doses per week will be enough to get all the minerals and vitamins.

Even after six months, feeding directly to the child is allowed corn porridge. It is a dietary and easily digestible product and promotes weight gain in a baby. The best option would be to use such porridge from a series of baby food.

Corn sticks when breastfeeding will not be useful, it is better to refuse their use, because most often they contain dyes, sweeteners, flavors, preservatives and the like in their composition.

Cornflakes- a good option for a snack or breakfast, provided that they are not glazed and without additives (nuts, chocolate), which can serve as allergens and harm health.

Canned corn when breastfeeding, it should be excluded from the diet, because dyes, preservatives and flavor enhancers can be used in its production, which will harm the chemical composition of mother's milk, and, accordingly, the baby. The use of such a product can lead to colic, bloating, food allergies and poisoning.

In addition, such semi-finished products are produced in cans, which may contain bisphenol. This substance affects the organs of the gastrointestinal tract and the endocrine system and can even provoke the occurrence of cancerous tumors. If you really want to treat yourself to a salad with canned corn, then the best option would be to cook it yourself.

Popcorn is another type of treat that is hard to resist. It is allowed to be consumed in moderation and provided that it is prepared at home without harmful additives. It is not high in calories, which is also important for a woman after childbirth, and all useful substances are stored in it. With this option, a young mother can easily enjoy her favorite food, without harm to the figure, even during the feeding period.

And of course, to diversify the diet, corn can be used as an ingredient in first courses, such as vegetable soups or mashed soups, as well as part of a vegetable side dish.

Contraindications

It is possible to introduce corn into the diet if it has not previously caused undesirable reactions. All foods that the mother's body reacts negatively to will cause similar problems in the baby. Discard corn if you or your baby experience abdominal discomfort (pain, colic, or increased gas) after eating it.

Introduction to the diet during lactation

Let's start with boiled corn. Mommy can start using the product 2 months after giving birth. But this does not mean that you can overeat on the first day. It is necessary to eat a small amount of corn and monitor the reaction of the baby for 24 hours.

If the baby does not have colic, bloating, that is, cereal can be safely. If the above signs appear in a child, then corn should be excluded from your diet for at least a month. After the time has elapsed, you can try again.

Is it possible for a nursing mother to have corn in the form of porridge?

As for cereals, a woman can eat porridge from it with pleasure already a week after giving birth. But this applies only to corn, which has no additives in its composition. So read the ingredients carefully before buying. Industrially produced corn grits may contain additives such as gluten, lactose.

Popcorn during lactation

A lot of people love popcorn these days. As you know, it is made from corn. Popcorn is a perfectly allowed product for a nursing mother. It should be noted that it is not only not harmful, but also extremely useful. All vitamins are preserved in it, unlike porridge, for example. But it is not advisable for lactating women to buy popcorn of industrial production, since it is very fatty, contains an abundance of sugar or salt, and various synthetic flavors. If mom really wants popcorn, then it’s better to cook it at home from natural corn.

Canned corn for HB

Canned corn is also loved by many. It can be eaten as is or added to salads. But we note that the canned product is forbidden to be eaten by young mothers. The fact is that canned cereal contains various dyes, flavor enhancers, and synthetic preservatives.

It must also be said that a substance called Bisphenol A is applied to the inner layer of the jar. The substance is extremely harmful, as it can inhibit the reproductive and endocrine systems, causes the development of cancer, diabetes, and disrupts the development of the brain.

But if mommy loves this canned product so much, then you can cook it yourself at home, without fear that there will be various additives in it. The recipe for canned corn is simple.

homemade canned corn

Ingredients

  • Young corn on the cob, preferably food varieties;
  • Water - 0.5 liters;
  • Granulated sugar - 1 tbsp. spoon;
  • Citric acid - 1/3 teaspoon;
  • Salt - ½ tsp.


Cooking homemade corn

  • Pour the corn with water, cook until tender for 1 hour.
  • We cut the grains from the cobs.
  • We lay out the grains in small jars.
  • Pour boiling solution (water + sugar + salt).
  • Pasteurize for 15 minutes.
  • Wrap with a warm blanket and leave to cool for 1 day.

Such homemade canned corn can be eaten without fear - added to salads, used as a side dish.

And a few more words about whether it is possible for a nursing mother to have puffed maize or popcorn, as it is often called in the American style. In this form, this product is as useful as possible and, no doubt, delicious!

Corn sticks(see photo) - one of the favorite sweet treats of children. The finished product is presented in the form of a decorated dried foam, which is made from corn grits.

The very first who came up with this product were the American brothers John and Will Keith Kellogg, who founded a medical sanatorium in the United States. They decided to prepare meals for the patients that used maize flour. But since there was a lot of dough left, and it was a pity to throw it away, the rest of the dough was passed through special rollers. Thus, flakes appeared, which were then fried in sunflower oil and presented as a dessert for tea.

The corn sticks familiar to us in their current form first appeared in 1963 at the Dnepropetrovsk plant for the production of food concentrates, where the product was manufactured using the specified technology and developed by V.Ya. Krikunov. equipment.

To date, there are a lot of varieties of such corn products. The product can be not only sweet, but also salty, glazed, creamy, chocolate, with the taste of bacon, cheese, cinnamon, vanillin, lemon. In addition, some manufacturers make the sticks colorful and also make the product free of gluten and sugar.

Compound

The main composition of real corn sticks includes the following products:

  • deodorized sunflower oil;
  • corn grits;
  • salt;
  • powdered sugar.

The calorie content of this product is quite high, so you should not abuse it so as not to harm your health.

How are corn sticks made at the factory?

The process of making corn sticks at the plant takes no more than ten minutes, so the company's employees can make more than three tons of such a product per shift. The production of natural sticks is as follows:

  1. Corn grits are placed in the extruder (special equipment for kneading dough on sticks). There, under the influence of a temperature of one hundred and fifty degrees and strong pressure, it turns into a homogeneous dough.
  2. Then the corn mass passes through a special matrix with holes of various shapes, which gives the sticks the desired look.
  3. After the extrusion step, the sticks are still wet, so they should be further glazed and tumble dried.
  4. As soon as the sticks get into a special drum, they will begin to dry and various flavors will be sprayed on top of them, as well as sprinkled with warm sunflower oil.
  5. Next, the sticks soaked in oil are sent to another compartment of the drum, where they are completely immersed in powdered sugar. Due to the fact that there is warm oil on the sticks, the powder will begin to melt and turn into a sweet glaze..

Corn sticks are ready and ready to be packed.

Benefit and harm

Corn sticks are not particularly useful because they contain a large amount of carbohydrates. Therefore, many experts recommend eating as many sticks per day as can fit in one hand, and only as a dessert for tea after the main meal, otherwise the product may cause constipation.

Many doctors do not recommend giving corn sticks to children who have not reached the age of three, because the young body cannot yet cope with a large amount of carbohydrates, and also, so as not to provoke the development of an allergy to sticks.

In addition, during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, the use of sticks should be abandoned. Since the product has a high calorie content, it can cause unwanted weight gain in a pregnant woman. A nursing mother should also not eat them so that the child does not have bloating, constipation, and allergies to a new product.

Since the corn product contains a lot of calories, it should not be eaten during a diet. Also, sticks should not be used by people who have had their gallbladder removed.

What can be cooked?

You can cook many different sweet desserts for tea with corn sticks. Basically, sticks are used to make cakes with condensed milk, toffee, honey, cakes, rolls.

Also, the product is great for cooking cookies, rafaello, chips, sweet sausages.

As an independent dish, corn sticks can be eaten for breakfast, pouring them with milk. In addition, the product can be eaten just like that, washed down with tea or milk.

How to do at home?

Making corn sticks at home is quite simple, since the process does not require special equipment (extruder). Therefore, the hostess will not have much difficulty in the manufacture of natural homemade corn sticks.

To cook sticks at home, you need to pour about seventy milliliters of homemade milk into a saucepan and add about fifty grams of butter. Boil the liquid, pour half a glass of corn flour into it and stir continuously so that there are no lumps. The mass must be homogeneous. Then you should let the milk-corn mixture cool, and then drive in two eggs and mix thoroughly.

Fold the dough into a special pastry bag and squeeze out small “sausages” onto a warm baking sheet. Put the sticks in the oven and bake until done. Sprinkle the finished hot product with powder - and you can serve it to the table.

Below is a video on how to make corn sticks.

Now in stores you can find a lot of different sweets, differing in quality, cost and health benefits. And quite often budgetary goods from this category are very popular, they are bought and eaten by both adults and children. Corn sticks are just such inexpensive and beloved by many products, let's try to figure out whether this sweetness is harmful, or there is some benefit in it, and also answer the question of whether it is possible for a nursing mother to eat corn sticks, and find out what is the calorie content such a product.

We eat corn sticks - is there any benefit in them?

There are many rumors, myths, and fairy tales about the benefits and harms of corn sticks. Many users are sure that such a product gives our body a lot of good things, and their opponents argue that such food can only harm our organs and systems. Also, some lovers of such sweetness claim that there is no harm and benefit to the body from its consumption.

In order to figure out who is right, the first thing to do is to understand what corn sticks are. Such food is not made directly from corn, corn flour becomes the raw material for its preparation. And, as you know, this product is refined, respectively, it does not contain those useful substances that corn is rich in.

During the preparation of corn flour, as well as during the next heat treatment, there is an almost complete loss of B vitamins, carotene and tocopherol. The number of substances that are more or less resistant to thermal effects (for example, vitamin PP) is reduced by an order of magnitude.

In addition, when preparing corn sticks, a variety of ingredients are added to them, which make the finished product even more unhealthy. These additives include sweeteners and flavors. So many manufacturers sin by using chemical sweeteners as a budget alternative to powdered sugar, and such an additive may well be toxic to our body.

Many believe that corn sticks are able to remove toxins from the body, however, since they consist of cornmeal, when chewed, they lose their porosity very quickly and are actively digested, even before they reach the large intestine.

In fact, the elimination of toxins and toxins is usually done by antioxidants, as well as chemical fibers. In corn sticks, such substances are practically absent, respectively, they cannot cleanse the body of harmful substances.

In addition, such food cannot benefit digestion, and can even harm the digestive tract. So in corn sticks there are practically no vitamins that our body needs, however, they contain a little vegetable protein in such a form that it can complicate the processes of digestion of food, disrupting the synthesis and functioning of enzymes.

Consumption of corn sticks can cause excessive gas production and may even slow down the movement of stomach and intestinal contents through the digestive tract. In addition, such a product is much more nutritious than popcorn, since it contains a lot of carbohydrates, sugars, and practically no dietary fiber.

Corn sticks practically do not contain any minerals, as they are not found in cornmeal either. It should be borne in mind that such food is exclusively a carbohydrate product that can be used as an energy source, but only for a short period of time.

Some benefits of corn sticks

Corn sticks can be used occasionally to instantly saturate the blood with glucose and restore the body's strength. However, you should not use such energy food often.

In addition, corn sticks can be found on sale, which have been additionally enriched with various vitamins and other additives, obtained in turn from absolutely natural food, for example, from juices and fruits.

Corn sticks are often used by our compatriots in cooking; a variety of dishes are prepared on their basis. However, the usefulness of such sweets also remains in question.

What is the calorie content of the product corn sticks?

Such a product is very high in calories and, if consumed excessively, can provoke weight gain. So one hundred grams of corn sticks contain about five hundred and eighteen calories.

Is it possible for a nursing mother to have corn sticks?

Of course, during breastfeeding, you need to adhere to dietary nutrition.
Restrictions in the diet will help the full development of the children's digestive tract, will make it possible to avoid the appearance of colic or make them minimal, and also prevent allergic reactions in the baby. Therefore, a newly-made mother needs to be especially serious about her diet.

Are corn sticks dangerous, what is the harm from them?

As for the dangers that corn sticks contain, we have already talked about their harm to the body. From what has been written, we can conclude that it is better to refuse to consume such a product during breastfeeding. By the way, you should not give it to young children, as the likelihood of developing allergic diseases and other health problems from such a diet is very high.

Ekaterina, www.site

P.S. The text uses some forms characteristic of oral speech.