Corn is rich in dietary fiber, which helps stimulate gastrointestinal motility and accelerate bowel movements. New mothers can eat more corn after childbirth to prevent postpartum constipation.
Is it good to eat corn after childbirth?
Mothers can eat corn. Eating corn not only meets the body's nutritional needs and increases dietary fiber intake but also helps prevent constipation. However, traditional varieties of hard corn are difficult to digest. It is recommended to grind it into a powder and cook it into corn porridge or corn paste before eating. If eating it whole, mothers should opt for soft waxy corn and sweet corn. Sweet corn is a super-sweet variety suitable for eating raw, and it is exceptionally sweet and crisp whether eaten raw or cooked. Its thin skin bursts with a bite, releasing a fragrant juice that fills the mouth. However, when eating corn whole, mothers should ensure they eat the white germ near the cob completely, as the corn germ contains 85% unsaturated fatty acids and is rich in vitamin E.
The most nutritious way to eat corn
Cooking corn is better than eating it raw. Although cooking corn destroys some vitamin C, it gains more valuable antioxidants. Regardless of whether it is fried or boiled, corn releases more nutrients. At the same time, cooked corn also releases a phenolic compound called lysine, which has therapeutic effects on diseases like cancer. After high-temperature cooking, the antioxidant activity of corn increases, and oxygen free radicals can cause oxidative damage to the body, increasing the risk of disease. Europeans have summarized many scientific methods for eating corn, mainly three types: one is cornbread. Mix garlic powder, black pepper, celery, etc., into cornmeal and mix with tomato soup, which is said to lower cholesterol. The second is corn porridge. The third is to make soups and salads with corn kernels, which are both delicious and nutritious.
A big comparison of 3 ways to eat corn
1. Grilled corn: Not recommended
Grilled corn is indeed delicious, but for those who really crave it, it is recommended to eat oven-baked corn instead, as the oven temperature and time can be set manually. A temperature of around 100°C is generally more conducive to preserving nutrients.
Cream corn
2. Boiled corn: A common method
Many people like to clean the corn silk and corn leaves thoroughly when boiling corn, which is a pity. Corn silk can promote bile secretion, has a diuretic effect, and lowers blood sugar. The core of the corn stalk can also stop sweating. The water used to boil corn has anti-infective properties. It is best to eat the white germ part of the corn when啃 corn. The corn germ is the essence of the corn, and it is very good for protecting the cardiovascular system and anti-aging.
3. Steamed corn: Better than boiled corn
If you have already eaten a lot of vegetables and fruits in a day and your intake of water-soluble vitamins is sufficient, there is no need to change your cooking method. But whether steamed or boiled, from a nutritional perspective, it is not recommended to cook for too long. Unless you have a poor digestive system and need to cook it longer to help with absorption.
Precautions for eating corn
1. There are many varieties of corn, and some are not suitable for diabetic patients. For example, sweet corn has a soluble sugar content 2% to 15% higher than rice, most of which is sucrose, glucose, and fructose, which can easily raise blood sugar levels after consumption.
2. Waxy corn has a high amylose content and is easily digested and absorbed, causing blood sugar to rise faster than other grains. Therefore, it is not recommended to eat it alone. It can be paired with bean flour or foods rich in dietary fiber to slow the rise in blood sugar.
3. Most black corn is also of high quality, and it is best to pair it with coarse grains like bean flour or oats when eating.
4. It is generally believed that boiling corn until it "blooms" is healthy. In fact, this is wrong. As long as it is cooked thoroughly, it is not only effective in retaining the vitamins in the corn itself but also tastes good.
Cream corn