Can Pregnant Women Eat Corn? 13 Benefits of Eating Corn

To maintain a healthy pregnancy, nutrition is very important. For this reason, choosing what to eat and what not to eat during pregnancy is very important and difficult. According to folk beliefs, corn, also known as maize, is a nutritious food that is beneficial for pregnant women. So can pregnant women eat corn and what should they pay attention to?

To find the answer to this question, please see the following shares of  Wilimedia  !

Nutritional Components and Benefits of Corn

• 75.96 grams Water
• 86 kcal Calories
• 19.02 grams Starch
• 3.22 grams Protein
• 2.7 grams Fiber
• 1.18 grams Fat
• 3.22 grams Sugar
• 46 micrograms Vitamin B9
• 1.7 milligrams Vitamin B3
• 0.06 milligrams Vitamin B2
• 0.05 milligrams Vitamin B6
• 0.2 milligrams Vitamin B1
• 1IU Vitamin A
• 6.8 milligrams Vitamin C
• 0.07 milligrams Vitamin E
• 0.03 micrograms Vitamin K
• 2 milligrams Calcium
• 0.52 milligrams Iron
• 89 milligrams Phosphorus
• 37 milligrams Magnesium
• 0.45 milligrams Zinc
• 0.182 grams Saturated Fat
• 0.347 grams Monounsaturated Fat
• 0.559 grams Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

Corn is a very nutritious grain and has many health benefits. Corn contains some of the following nutrients:

• Rich in fiber: Corn is rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber. Fiber plays an important role in increasing bowel movements, slowing down the digestion of sugar and helping to control blood sugar levels.
• Providing minerals and vitamins: Many vitamins and minerals can be found in corn, such as phosphorus, magnesium, folic acid, vitamin B1 (thiamine) and vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). These substances support bone and nerve function, play an important role in energy metabolism and participate in many other important biosynthetic processes in the body.
• Antioxidant support: Antioxidants such as carotenoids and flavonoids are found in corn. These substances have the ability to protect cells from bacteria, helping to prevent inflammation.
• Providing Protein: Corn contains a lot of protein that the body needs to create, maintain and develop muscles, synthesize enzymes and participate in many other biosynthetic processes in the body.
• Provides good fats: Corn contains some unsaturated fats and omega-6 fats. These fats not only play an important role in maintaining cardiovascular and nervous system health but also provide energy.
• Plant Source: Corn is a good plant food source for vegetarians and people who prefer low-protein diets.

Can Pregnant Women Eat Corn?

Pregnant women do not need to worry about eating corn during pregnancy, because pregnant women can eat corn normally. In addition, corn contains a lot of fiber, vitamins B1, B5 and C as well as folic acid, which helps improve digestion and increase blood circulation.

The Great Benefits Of Eating Corn For Pregnant Women

• Provides lots of fiber, helps prevent constipation: 

Pregnant women must maintain a nutritious diet during pregnancy, which puts pressure on the pregnant woman's digestive system. The fetus will press on the digestive organs as it grows, slowing down the digestion process. One of the factors that affects the digestive system and increases the risk of  constipation  is the increased progesterone level along with the sedentary habits of pregnant women.

Pregnant women should supplement their diet with corn. This food contains fiber to help the digestive system function better, support the growth of bacteria that help the large intestine develop and prevent intestinal diseases during pregnancy.

• Prevention of gestational diabetes: 

Improper diet and rest are the causes of  gestational diabetes . This disease can affect the health of pregnant women and the development of the fetus if not treated properly.

Pregnant women can control their blood sugar levels well because if pregnant women eat corn and some other foods containing a lot of fiber, it will slow down the process of digesting food into sugar. This helps to effectively prevent the risk of diabetes during pregnancy.

• Corn helps reduce birth defects

Corn contains many nutrients that are important for the health of pregnant women. The folate in corn is especially helpful in reducing birth defects and miscarriages. Experts also recommend that pregnant women supplement folate through food or pills.

• Enhance nutrient absorption for pregnant women

Insoluble fiber in corn supports the growth of beneficial bacteria in the large intestine, which is beneficial for the digestive system. When the digestive system is healthy and functioning properly, both the mother and the fetus will absorb nutrients better.

• Mineral and Vitamin Supplement

Many vitamins and minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, folic acid and vitamin B6 provided by corn are essential for the development of the fetus. These substances support the development of the brain, bones, joints, nervous system and digestive system of the fetus.

• Provide antioxidants for pregnant women

Antioxidants such as carotenoids and flavonoids found in corn have the ability to protect cells from damage caused by oxidative stress. This can protect the health of pregnant women and their fetuses.

• Energy for pregnant women

Corn has a rich amount of starch, providing energy for both pregnant women and fetuses during development.

• Reduce the risk of macular degeneration

Corn contains several antioxidants, beta-carotene and folate which are good for the eyes and help pregnant women and their future fetuses avoid macular degeneration.

• Good for heart health of pregnant women

Increased homocysteine ​​levels can lead to stroke. Corn is rich in B vitamins, which help reduce homocysteine ​​levels and protect the heart more effectively. In addition, some compounds in corn prevent many types of cardiovascular diseases by preventing harmful cholesterol.

• Support skin beauty and skin lightening for pregnant women

This food is rich in vitamins. Pregnant women can also use corn to prevent acne, skin darkening and melasma after giving birth by making a mask, cooking porridge or juicing it.

• Support postpartum weight loss for pregnant women

Corn is not only rich in fiber but also contains magnesium and vitamin E. Vitamin E found in corn helps prevent fat accumulation. Moreover, because corn is sodium-free and contains polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, this food is very good for postpartum mothers.

• Corn helps prevent birth defects

Folate is one of the most important nutrients that helps reduce the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. Therefore, pregnant women should eat foods rich in folate. Therefore, pregnant women can completely add this nutrient-rich food to their daily diet.

• Enhance fetal brain development

Thiamine in corn helps the fetus' brain cells develop better, increasing the child's ability to remember in the future.

Things Pregnant Women Need to Pay Attention to When Eating Corn

Pregnant women should eat corn properly and in moderation to gain nutritional benefits. Pregnant women should pay attention to the following issues:

– Immune system disorders caused by eating too much corn will lead to increased gluten content, affecting the intestinal mucosa.

– Nutritional imbalance: Pregnant women will not get enough nutrition if they eat too much corn. Therefore, the advice for all pregnant women is to supplement with many different types of foods.

– Increased risk of gestational diabetes: This food is also high in carbs and fatty acids. Therefore, eating too much can increase the pregnant woman's blood sugar and increase the risk of gestational diabetes.

– Makes pregnant women feel bloated and have indigestion if they eat too much corn.

– Choose reputable stores to buy corn.

– Some small tips when choosing corn: The corn should have green skin and not be dry, the beard should be smooth and soft, the stalk should not be wilted or bruised. The corn kernels should be shiny yellow, even and straight. Choosing medium-length and slender cobs is best; do not choose cobs that are too big. To know if the corn is young, you can press your hand on the cob to see if it oozes milk.

– To ensure that corn is delicious and nutritious, pregnant women should eat it immediately after purchase. Storage should only be done for a few days. If pregnant women do not eat it immediately, they should store the corn husk in the refrigerator.

– Fresh corn is best, do not use canned corn.

– Do not eat corn if pregnant women have stomachache or diarrhea to avoid making the condition worse.

– Do not eat corn with sugar or milk.

– Boiled corn is very good for pregnant women. Here is how to boil corn: Put the corn, including the husk, into the pot after washing it; add a little salt to the boiling water. Boil for about three to four minutes after the water boils. To prevent the corn from becoming hard and losing its sweetness, avoid boiling it for too long.

Can pregnant women with diabetes eat corn?

To maintain stable blood sugar levels, pregnant women with diabetes must pay attention to their food choices. Pregnant women should consider their health condition and follow the doctor's advice on whether they can eat corn to treat gestational diabetes.

Although corn is a starchy food with a lower glycemic index than many other foods, this does not mean that pregnant women can eat a lot of corn without increasing blood sugar. The interaction between the body and corn of a pregnant woman with diabetes can vary and depends on many factors. For this reason, pregnant women with gestational diabetes must limit their corn intake.

Choosing whole corn instead of processed corn with added sugar is the best choice if you have gestational diabetes and are eating corn during pregnancy. To reduce the risk of blood sugar spikes, combine corn with other food sources of good fat, protein, and fiber.

The most important thing is to always check the pregnant woman's blood sugar after eating corn or any other food. This monitoring allows the pregnant woman to understand how her body reacts to which food and helps her adjust her diet in the most appropriate way.

How Is It Best For Pregnant Women With Diabetes To Eat Corn? 

To maintain stable blood sugar levels and ensure the health of both mother and fetus, patients with gestational diabetes need to follow a careful diet. The following principles must be followed when eating corn:

• Eat cooked corn:  To reduce the risk of consuming undigested starch, eat fully cooked corn to maximize its nutritional value. Cooked corn has a lower blood sugar spike than uncooked corn.
• Eat in moderation:  Meals should contain moderate amounts of corn. To avoid a sudden increase in blood sugar after eating, pregnant women should limit eating too much.
• Combine with other foods:  When eating corn, pregnant women should eat it with foods containing fiber, good fats and protein. By slowing down the digestion and absorption of sugar, fiber helps control blood sugar. Good fats and proteins also help control sudden increases in blood sugar after meals.
• Choose a cooking method:  Choose safe cooking methods such as steaming, baking, boiling or stir-frying if you want to prepare corn. Avoid cooking methods that use oil or sugar.
• Monitor your blood sugar:  After eating corn and other foods, pregnant women should check their blood sugar. This helps pregnant women understand how their body reacts to food and helps them adjust their diet accordingly.
• Follow the advice of a dietitian or doctor:  Get advice from a dietitian or doctor to determine the right diet for your gestational diabetes condition.

Conclude

So the answer to the question “Can Pregnant Women Eat Corn?” is yes. However, no matter how good a food is, you should not eat too much. Therefore, pregnant women should only eat corn in moderation, suitable for their body, and must supplement with other foods to have enough nutrition that the pregnant woman’s body needs.

Pregnant women should boil corn at home instead of buying it from the street. Pregnant women should have regular check-ups and talk to their doctor to find out the best diet for them if they have gestational diabetes.

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