It has long been known that any cereals are a source of strength, contain useful vitamins and minerals that help keep the body in good shape. It was not for nothing that in childhood, when I could not cope with a task requiring physical exertion, adults often said: “Kash ate little”. And indeed, any porridge, as if it charges with optimism, vigor and gives great strength. One of these cereals is corn grits.
A bit of history
The origin of this culture has long been unknown. A group of scientists from the Philadelphia Institute provided evidence that corn, as a cultivated plant, appeared about 8700 years ago in Mexico. And descended from its wild ancestor – theosinte. A special role was played by corn by the ancient Aztecs, because even one of the gods in their religion was the god of corn – Tsenteotl. Most corn is consumed in Latin America. It is the basis of the cuisines of Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Paraguay, Ecuador and Peru.
It is unlikely that there will be such a person in the whole world who would not like corn, it is worth remembering boiled, salted cabbages, tightly stuffed with seeds. And what are the most popular corn sticks and flakes for children? Corn grits obtained from dried and processed corn kernels are used with success not only in cooking, but also in pharmacology, thanks to their productive healing 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 widely used in the dietary menu. It is ideal for a balanced diet, as it is rich in healthy fiber, which is indispensable for a variety of diets. Groats contain many vitamins and minerals, 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 just a storehouse of vitamins that are very useful 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 includes ash – 0,8 g, starch – 69,5 g, water – 13,9 g and dietary fiber – 4,7 g per 100 g of cereals.
Types of corn cereals
Types of cereals depend on the method of processing grains: polished, coarse and fine. Grinded groats, in turn, are also divided into 5 varieties, depending on the size of the grains. Coarse corn grits are used to make popcorn and flakes, and small grains are used to make delicious crispy sticks.
Storage and use of cereals in cooking
Store corn grits at low temperatures from -5 to 5 degrees in a well-moistened 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 start up in croup. Such cereals are no longer edible. It should be thrown away, and the place where it was stored is washed well with water and ventilated. It is advisable to store the cereal in a glass container tightly closed. The shelf life of corn grits is 6 months.
Corn grits are highly valued in cooking because they are considered easily digestible. Many different dishes are prepared from it – soups, side dishes, various casseroles. Groats are low-allergenic, which very well characterizes them as one of the baby food dishes. In the cuisines of various nations, corn grits rightfully took their place. In Italy, it is made from a delicious dish called polenta. In Moldova – familiar to all hominy. Abkhazia offers its gourmands abysto, and Georgia offers gomis. In western Ukraine, a national dish is prepared from corn flour – banosh, which is cooked on cream or sour cream and served with cheese, bacon or mushrooms. Also, such tasty products as sticks, flakes and well-known popcorn (popcorn) are obtained from corn.
Hutsul banosh
To prepare the dish you will need:
- sour cream – 500 g;
- water – 500 g;
- corn grits – 1 glass;
- salt;
- cracklings.
For cooking it is better to use finely ground corn grits. So the pap will be tasty and more homogeneous.
In a thick-walled pan, preferably cast-iron, pour water and sour cream, add salt. Put on fire and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Pour corn grits and cook over low heat for about 10-15 minutes. The consistency of porridge should resemble store sour cream. It is good to use clay pots for serving dishes. Put a few spoons of porridge there and garnish with cracklings, feta cheese or mushrooms on top. The dish is considered ready when the oil comes out on top.
The benefits of corn grits
Porridge made from corn grits has a very low calorie content – only 86 kcal per 100 grams of product, so using it is advisable during weight loss. It is recommended to eat people who lead a healthy lifestyle, since with its dietary value, it gives a feeling of fullness, reduces appetite. Corn grits contains a lot of useful elements and minerals that have a beneficial effect on the body. For example, silicon, which is rich in corn is very useful for teeth, and calcium and potassium strengthen hair and nails. Fiber, which is contained in large quantities in cereals, cleanses the intestines of toxins well, and also effectively removes harmful toxins and pesticides from the body. Beta-carotene several times reduces the likelihood of developing cancer, 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 lowers blood cholesterol, which favorably affects the cardiovascular system. It is useful in the prevention of diabetes, blood diseases and gall bladder. Groats from corn are able to remove fats from the body, promotes skin rejuvenation. It is a low-allergenic product, therefore, it is often in demand as baby food.
It should be noted that corn does not lose its properties in cooked form, that is, the product of corn grits, which has undergone heat treatment, retains all the useful and healing qualities contained in its raw form.
Harm of corn grits
Each product has both advantages and disadvantages. Just somewhere they are less pronounced, somewhere more. Corn grits significantly reduces appetite, therefore it is contraindicated for people with insufficient weight. It is also not recommended to use dishes from corn in the period of acute gastric ulcer, as the fiber, which is part of the cereals, can irritate the walls of internal organs. Do not abuse it and with increased blood clotting. In general, the risk of eating corn grits is minimal, but if there are doubts about its use, it is best to consult a doctor before use.
Slimming corn grits
Cornmeal is a very dietary product, therefore it is widely used in weight loss programs. All of course know what the diet is fraught with, which make it possible to quickly and effectively lose those extra pounds. They imply the rejection of many favorite foods, as well as the restriction in the amount of food in principle. As a result, a person does not leave a constant feeling of hunger, which leads to the stress of the whole organism.
But there are diets for which you can lose weight without feeling hungry. One of these diets is the corn diet. All that is needed is corn porridge every day, replacing breakfast with it for lunch and dinner. And all this varies in the necessary framework. If, for example, an urgent weight loss is not included in the plans, it is recommended to replace only breakfast cereals with porridge, and if you want to enhance the effect, then subsequent meals. A prerequisite for this diet is the consumption of large amounts of water. It must be cleaned and non-carbonated. The water rate for a corn diet is up to 2,5 liters per day. Also to speed up the metabolic processes do not forget about exercise. In addition, they will contribute to tightening the skin, which is very useful for rapid diets.
Slimming Corn Porridge Recipe
Corn porridge for dietary purposes should be cooked without additives. It requires long cooking, so first rinse the cereal with starch and soak overnight in cold water. In the process of soaking, the croup swells and grows in size, which will significantly reduce cooking time – from 40 to 20 minutes. For cooking you will need:
- corn grits, pre-soaked in cold water;
- water.
Groats pour hot water in the proportion of 1: 3, cook over low heat until the liquid has completely evaporated.
A diet on corn grits not only contributes to weight loss, but also removes hazardous wastes and toxins, saturates the body with useful substances that make up its composition.
Corn grits in cosmetology
Since this croup contains a huge amount of useful elements, such a field of medicine as cosmetology could not bypass it. At home, it is often used for deep cleansing and nourishing of the skin. From it prepare scrubs and peels, as well as used as a means to combat cellulite. Corn grits have characteristic sharp corners, therefore apply it in those places where skin is more rough: elbows, heels, knees.
Making a gel scrub at home: corn grits, ground coffee, shower gel, sea salt, essential oils and honey. Mix everything and process rough skin. Such a scrub will wonderfully cleanse, polish the skin, and also enrich it with useful substances, soften and intensively moisturize.
To combat cellulite, you can use corn flour. To treat problem areas of previously cleaned and steamed skin with flour for about 15 minutes. This is best done when taking a bath. After a few procedures, the result will pleasantly surprise and delight.
conclusions
Corn grits are a rich source of vitamins, minerals and trace elements that are beneficial to the body. Its daily consumption contributes to the improvement of immunity, elimination of toxins, harmful pesticides and dangerous toxins from the body. Corn grits are an indispensable tool for people suffering from disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. It cleans it from decay products, eliminates fermentation and putrefactive processes in the intestine. Cornmeal is rich in fiber, so confidently in demand among nutritionists. It is capable of relieving hunger for a long time and is effective for those who want to lose weight or suffer from physical inactivity (leads a sedentary lifestyle).
Corn grits are effective in many medical fields: they prevent the development of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, lower cholesterol levels, are useful for nervous system disorders, and help to eliminate depression. Porridge prepared on the basis of this cereal does not cause allergies, therefore, they are included in the basic diet of children. She is good in cosmetology. Based on it, you can make scrubs, masks and even anti-cellulite products. Corn grits have practically no contraindications for use, it is worth using it with caution only during the period of exacerbation of peptic ulcer and with increased blood clotting. Eating products made from corn grits will make you slimmer, improve skin condition and health, and also charge you with vigor and energy.
