Eating nutritious food in pregnancy is very important for both the expectant mother as well as the little one growing in her. But due to extreme hormonal changes in the body, a lot of craving is triggered during pregnancy. One of the common cravings during pregnancy is that of corn. However, the question that comes here is can pregnant women eat corn? Yes, it is very much safe and healthy to consume corn during pregnancy. In this article, the benefits of eating makka during pregnancy, its possible side-effects and the precautions that need to be taken while consuming corn shall be discussed.
Eating corn during pregnancy – safe or not?
Eating corn during pregnancy is safe and healthy for the mom-to-be and the baby growing inside her. Makka should be included in the pregnant diet, but care should be taken to not to over-consume it, or else it would add those extra kilos to your pregnancy weight which is not required.
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Nutritional value of corn:
Consuming 100g of corn will give you the following nutrition.
Nutrient Quantity
Calories 96Kcal
Water 73%
Carbohydrates 21g
Sugar 4.5g
Protein 3.4g
Fibre 2.4g
Fat 1.5g
Omega- 3 0.02g
Omega- 6 0.59g
Benefits of corn in pregnancy:
Eating corn during pregnancy benefits both mother and child in the following manner:
1. Relief from constipation:
Corn is an excellent source of dietary fibres that aids in eliminating the most common issue of pregnant – constipation.
2. Reduces the risk of congenital disabilities:
Corn is a rich source of folic acids and thereby reduces the risk of neonatal defects in the child.
3. Memory promoter:
Eating makka during pregnancy helps in the healthy development of the brain of the child and thereby increases the memory.
4. Prevents muscular degeneration:
Corn is rich in Zeaxanthin or Vitamin which prevents the muscular degeneration in the child after birth.
5. Improves vision of the baby:
Corn is rich in antioxidants such as lutein which plays a vital role in improving the eyesight of the newborn.
6. Prevents Cancer:
Experts say that the anti-oxidants present in corn are capable of protecting the mother from cancer including breast cancer.
7. Prevents Anaemia:
Corn is rich in Vitamin B12 which is vital for the formation of blood cells and thereby prevents the mother from getting anaemic.
8. Boosts immunity:
Corn is a rich source of beta-carotene which gets converted into Vitamin A which is good for healthy skin, hair, eyesight, immunity, and memory during pregnancy.
9. Good Cholesterol:
Intake of corn husk oil when pregnant aids in the reduction of LDL (Bad cholesterol) and promotes the growth of HDL (good cholesterol) in the body.
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Side-effects of consuming corn during pregnancy:
There is no second to the fact that corn is extremely nutritious when consumed during pregnancy. But if over consumed, it can result in excess weight gain in pregnancy. Plus anything in excess is harmful for pregnant ladies and so would be with corn. The fatty acids present in corn can result in heart problems. Some women complaint about indigestion on consuming corn during pregnancy.
How to consume corn during pregnancy:
The following are the various ways in which corn can be consumed during pregnancy:
- Eating boiled corn is the best way to eat corn during pregnancy as maximum nutrients can be extracted in this manner. Just remove the husk and silk from the corn cob, place it in p[a with sufficient water to immerse the cob, cover the pan with a lid and boil it for 5-6 minutes. Alternatively removing the corn seeds and then boiling the same is also possible.
- You can add the sweet corn to your pregnancy diet in the form of salad or a sandwich spread.
- Make a sweet corn soup
- Add it to your pasta to enhance its taste
Precautions to be taken while consuming corn in pregnancy:
The following precautions must be taken while consuming corn for pregnant:
- Consume the corn within a few days from its buying to reap its maximum benefits.
- Never remove the husk of the corn if not consuming it. This will help to keep it fresh for a longer time.
- The corn seeds should be stored in the deep freeze in an airtight container to maintain its nutritional value.
Corn products to eat and avoid during pregnancy:
Corn is rich in many nutrients, and it’s extremely healthy and safe to consume makka during pregnancy. However, the following are the corn products that one should avoid consuming during pregnancy:
- Corn-starch is generally used as a supplement and should never go to your stomach as the sole trip.
- Popcorn contains Trans Fats which has been known as a fatal enemy to the newborn and hence popcorn should be a rare treat during pregnancy. Go for boiled corn instead.
- Corn syrup has a lot of added sweeteners which is best avoided.
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The bottom line is corn is safe, and a must-have in your pregnancy diet owing to the nutritional benefits that it carries. Include corn in your daily diet and help your baby grow healthy and strong. However, choose to avoid corn starch and popcorn should be an occasional treat only.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1. Is consuming corn flakes good during early pregnancy?
Ans: Consuming cornflakes excessively may be problematic. Excess consumption of cornflakes during pregnancy results in issues such as intestinal gas, flatulence, bloating and abdominal pain. Excess cornflakes reduce the body’s capacity to absorb iron, zinc, and minerals.
Q2. Is popcorn good for a pregnant woman?
Ans: Popcorn like corn is nutritious and safe for consumption during pregnancy. It has many health benefits, but popcorn has a high amount of salt added in it which may lead to high BP during pregnancy. Besides making sure that the popcorn is cooker cooked and not microwave cooked. Besides popcorn contains Trans fats and hence excess consumption may prove fatal to the newborn.
Q3. Is canned corn safe during pregnancy?
Ans: Any canned food contains BPA which is best avoided during pregnancy. Fresh or frozen food should always be chosen over canned food. Even jarred is better but canned corn is a big NO.
