In our dietary life, coarse grains play an indispensable role, and cornmeal, as a member of the coarse grains, with its unique nutritional value and versatile cooking methods, is loved by people. Is cornmeal actually considered a coarse grain?
What is coarse grains?
Coarse grains, as the name suggests, are grains that have not been finely processed or have only been simply processed, retaining the bran, germ, and endosperm of the grains and other major components. Compared with refined white rice and noodles, coarse grains contain higher levels of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and plant compounds. These ingredients play a vital role in our health, including stabilizing blood sugar, lowering cholesterol, promoting intestinal health and improving satiety.
Nutritional Value of Cornmeal
Cornmeal is made from ground whole corn and is rich in dietary fiber, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, niacin, iron, magnesium and potassium. Among them, the content of dietary fiber is particularly prominent, each 100 grams of cornmeal contains about 6 grams of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is a kind of carbohydrate that can not be digested by the body, it can delay the digestion and absorption of food in the gastrointestinal tract, help control blood sugar, reduce cholesterol levels, promote intestinal peristalsis and prevent constipation.
How to Cook Cornmeal
Cornmeal is versatile and can be made into a variety of cuisines. The most common is corn porridge, which is easy to make and nutritious. Cornmeal can also be used to make staple foods such as woks, steamed buns, noodles, and tortillas, and as a filling for buns, dumplings, and pies.
The Applicable People of Cornmeal
Cornmeal is a nutritious coarse grain that is suitable for most people. Especially for the following people, cornmeal is an ideal healthy choice:
Diabetics: Cornmeal has a low glycemic index, which can help control blood sugar levels.
Obese people: cornmeal is rich in dietary fiber and has a strong sense of satiety, which can help reduce calorie intake and control weight.
Constipated people: cornmeal is high in dietary fiber, which can promote intestinal peristalsis and relieve constipation.
Iron deficiency people: cornmeal is rich in iron, which can prevent and improve iron deficiency anemia.
Shopping and storing cornmeal
When shopping for cornmeal, it is recommended to try to choose coarsely ground cornmeal, which retains more nutrients. When storing, cornmeal should be kept in a cool, dry and ventilated place to avoid moisture and insects.
Cornmeal is a highly nutritious and versatile coarse grain, which is rich in dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to our health. Whether as a staple or a side dish, cornmeal is a healthy and delicious choice.