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Sweet corn myths

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health

You may contact Anna with questions at (765) 502-4232.

Myth #1: Corn is a starchy vegetable that means it is unhealthy.

Moderation is key with any food and this holds true with corn. For diabetics, eating too large of a portion of corn can cause issues with their blood sugar control. There are some great benefits to eating this vegetable in moderation. Corn is high in B vitamins, 3 grams of protein per ear and can help in controlling blood sugar. The combination of the amount of fiber and protein can regulate the absorption of carbohydrate into your bloodstream. This can be helpful for diabetic patients especially. So enjoy this sweet vegetable in moderation, for example 1 to 2 ears of corn at your next cookout.

Myth #2: Corn is high in calories.

Comparatively an ear of sweet corn has the same number of calories as an apple. This can be a healthier food option at a cookout. What can cause an increase of calories on the ear of corn is what toppings you add. If you slather on the butter and dump on the salt then that ear of corn will become higher in calories and sodium and will not be as healthy.

Myth #3: Corn doesn’t contain important nutrients.

There are a couple phytochemicals contained in corn that help with your sight and one of those is lutein. This carotenoid is a strong antioxidant that can help fend off free radicals in your system. In addition to antioxidants found in the yellow color of corn, there are 3 grams of fiber in 1 medium ear of corn. This fiber can help nourish your digestive tract through promoting the growth of healthy bacteria that can lower your risk for colon cancer.

Myth #4: Isn’t corn genetically modified?

The corn that you purchase at the market and enjoy on the grill is sweet corn, which is rarely genetically modified. The field or feed corn is more commonly modified to ward off insects. This feed corn is used for animals, ethanol and high-fructose corn syrup. You shouldn’t have to worry too much about your sweet corn being genetic modified. 

Sweet Corn Ice Cream Recipe  

  • 2 ears of corn
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 4 egg yolks
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

Preparation

  1. Set a box grater in a large bowl. Using the large holes, grate corn kernels off the cobs. Discard cobs.
  2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cream, milk and corn. Bring to a simmer. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk sugar and egg yolks until pale and thick. When cream mixture reaches a simmer, slowly ladle ½ cup of it into egg mixture, whisking constantly. Repeat with another ½ cup ladleful. Reduce heat to low, whisk warmed egg mixture into saucepan and cook, whisking until mixture thickens a bit, about 5 minutes.
  3. Pour mixture into a medium bowl, stir in vanilla, cover with plastic wrap (letting the wrap sit directly on the mixture’s surface) and chill at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.
  4. Freeze in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions. Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight plastic container and freeze up to overnight.
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