Content
Corn sticks are a simple, inexpensive and tasty treat that is loved not only by children, but also by adults. What are the benefits and harms of corn sticks, what are they made of, and how to cook them at home?
How are corn sticks made
The production is quite simple - even the low cost of the product testifies to this. All that is needed is special equipment and ingredients: corn grits, edible salt, powdered sugar and refined vegetable oil. Manufacturing includes the following sequence:
- At the first stage, cereals are placed in an industrial apparatus called an extruder, inside which high pressure is created and a temperature of at least 150 ° C. Under these conditions, with automatic kneading, the cereal turns into a viscous dough.
- After that, the resulting homogeneous mass is released from the extruder through special holes in small portions, that is, blanks are formed.
- Since these preforms are still wet after extrusion, they are placed in a special drying drum with two compartments. In the first, water is evaporated from the dough, salt and heated vegetable oil are sprayed onto the workpieces.
- At the last stage, the dried and oiled preforms are sent to the second compartment of the drum to roll them in powdered sugar. Since the oil is still warm, the powder adheres well to the surface of the sticks.
This concludes the process - the product is completely ready.
Calorie content and composition
A typical treat has just four ingredients: ground corn grits, oil, salt, and powdered sugar. At the same time, sticks have a high calorie content - 325 calories per 100 g of product.
But their nutritional benefits are small. Carbohydrates occupy the main share - 75 g, proteins are in second place - 8.3 g, and the least fat in the product - 1.2 g.
Corn grits itself is a valuable product, but sticks made from it have a meager vitamin and mineral composition. During heat treatment, most of the useful elements are destroyed. Only a few of them should be taken into account, namely:
- vitamin B2;
- sodium;
- magnesium;
- manganese;
- copper.
The total share of other elements, even if they are declared in the composition, is too small.
The benefits of corn sticks
The product is not a meaningless treat, and although it contains few vitamins, it is still useful. The advantages are as follows:
- 100 g of this delicacy contains half the daily value of vitamin B2, which is beneficial for hair and skin, for the nervous system, immunity, eyesight and thyroid gland.
- Sticks are the richest source of simple carbohydrates, which not only replenish physical strength, but also raise mood and vitality.
- Due to their calorie content, sticks are very useful in situations where you need to quickly satisfy your hunger.
At what age can corn sticks be given to children
Children have a special love for corn sticks, as well as for any delicacies. But are there any age restrictions?
Doctors and nutritionists do not recommend adding corn sticks to a child's diet until he is 1.5 to 2 years old. Since the composition contains only flour, there will be no benefit from them, but an upset stomach in a baby can happen.
For older children and teenagers, corn sticks are allowed, but little by little, so as not to spoil a healthy appetite.
Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Women have to give up many delicious foods during the period of gestation and later, during breastfeeding. Corn sticks are banned for the following reasons:
- Simple carbohydrates, which are rich in food, provoke bloating, belching and constipation.
- Sticks are high in calories and contribute to weight gain. During pregnancy, extra pounds may not be conspicuous, but after giving birth, their presence will become obvious.
- Cornmeal can cause allergies. Even if the delicacy is perfectly absorbed by the mother's body itself, one cannot exclude its intolerance in the fetus, and then in the newborn baby.
Ideally, it is worth removing the product from your diet at the very beginning of pregnancy - until the end of the feeding period.
Can corn sticks be on a diet
The dessert product seems very airy, but this impression is deceiving. Since its calorie content is very high, it makes no sense to combine it with a diet.
If desired, corn sticks can be substituted for one of the dietary meals without lowering the daily calorie intake. But in this case, the benefits for the body will be minimal, so it is better to opt for more valuable products.
Contraindications and harm
While there are benefits to using corn sticks, they also have harmful properties. Namely:
- provoke rapid weight gain;
- are slowly digested and cause intestinal problems;
- markedly raise blood glucose levels, which can lead to diabetes.
In some cases, the product is contraindicated. It cannot be used:
- if you are allergic to cornmeal;
- after surgery to remove the gallbladder;
- with diabetes and obesity;
- with gastritis, pancreatitis and stomach ulcers in acute stages.
Homemade Corn Sticks Recipe
You can make sweet corn sticks at home. You will need the following ingredients:
- corn flour - half a glass;
- powdered sugar;
- milk - 4.5 tablespoons;
- 2 raw eggs;
- butter - 50 g.
Bring milk and butter in a saucepan to a boil, add flour and stir. When the mass becomes homogeneous, the saucepan is removed from the heat, the workpiece is allowed to cool slightly, and then the eggs are added to it and thoroughly mixed again.
The resulting dough is packed in a pastry bag and squeezed onto a heated baking sheet, forming blanks. After that, the baking sheet is placed in a well-heated oven and the dough is baked until fully cooked. Powdered sugar sticks are sprinkled last.
Conclusion
For healthy people, the benefits and harms of corn sticks depend on how they are consumed. Although the delicacy does not carry special value for the body, sometimes it helps to quickly drown out the feeling of hunger and replenish energy. But it is better to treat him without fanaticism - this is only a delicious dessert, not complete food.
