Corn? Who knew?

Anonymous

So I'm reading an article in MORE magazine today, entitlerd 'Power Foods for Midlife Bodies.' Good article, with interesting recommendations. One of the 'power foods' they discuss is microwave popcorn (!), advising that the 94% fat-free, butterless type is only 15 calories and one gram of fiber per cup and, therefore, great to eat if one is dieting. Also, it is claimed that the 6-cup bag provides 25% of one's daily recommended fiber. OK, but this is what I found sort of shocking...'Popcorn is whole corn has the highest level of antioxidants of any grain or vegetable .' REALLY? Can this be true? What about beans? Though if it is true, I know what dinner is tonight!

Zzap

That's awesome. I love corn, it's my favorite veggie, hands down!

Jenn

newvickie

That is great news. Love corn and popcorn! Hmmm...popcorn and movies tonight with no guilt. thanks for the info.
Hugs
Vickie

cyclegirl

WOW - My husband will be soooo happy (and maybe an "I told you so -- it's not so bad in there, too!!) On nights when he's worked late and dinner is sort of "up in the air" or he doesn't like what I've got on the "menu" - he will often opt for a "popcorn dinner". I'm not so sure about the drink or two he has along with it....but maybe that popcorn isn't so bad....could something that is good and fun actually be OK for us????? YEAH!!!! deb

ravdeb

Well, popcorn and dry red wine and I'd say we have a healthy meal! I love popcorn! Thanks for the tip!

Anonymous

Smart Balance makes a great popcorn (IMO) that is transfat free.

Calico

I sort of doubt the report on corn being so good. Don't American Indians have a high number of diabetics, and don't they use corn (meal) as a main ingridient in their diet?
Just a thought...I always thought it is an "empty" carb...but am glad to learn....I like popcorn (sweet)...but didn't eat it due to my "doubts" about the health aspect of it....

God Bless

wallycat

I make my popcorn from scratch (kernels on the stove) and love it. I thought I hated popcorn but it is just the microwave stuff that smells so icky to me (sorry to be the exception).

Popcorn is NOT the highest in antioxidants.
There was a 1999 study and a more recent study that used ORAC to determine antioxidant activity. There's a list on the govt. USDA website somewhere. If anyone is interested, I can search it out and post it.
Popcorn is considered a whole grain though :-)

Rosemary44

Corn didn't make the top 20 list:

http://myhealth.ucsd.edu/healthyliving/nutrition/May05BerriesBeans.htm

I haven't looked at the rest of list in awhile but I don't remember seeing corn up there in any high rankings. It is good for fiber though.

Anonymous

Ya know, if that is correct and corn doesn't rank that high up there, isn't it aggravating that a magazine can publish such a thing. Luckily, it's not harmful.

This is funny too - after reading that and posting here, I watched the evening news and there was an entire spot regarding the bumper crop of corn this year, but how valuable it's become...and of course how expensive it will become....

Oh well, I still love it...popped, roasted on-the-cob, creamed, whatever!

LisaSDCA

Also, if it matters to you, corn is one of the most genetically engineered foods we have on today's veggie market. Even if your farm doesn't use 'tweaked' seed corn, chances are the pollen blowing in from the next field over isn't the same.
I have an organic farmer I get my corn from who is surrounded by avocado groves and flower fields (San Diego is a huge fresh flower supplier for the world). When he doesn't have corn at my reg. weekly Farmer's Mkt., I don't get it. I have noticed that there are a couple of microwave popcorn brands on the market that are labled as "Organic". I've got some in my cabinet - but haven't tried any yet. Mouth too sore from chemo right now.

Lisa

kate101

This is all PR and marketing. Corn is a huge industry in this country. There are so many byproducts of corn in almost everything we eat (corn syrup, corn-feed beef, etc., etc.). Some guy just wrote a book about how damaging this is to our diet. (I heard it on NPR--but can't remember his name.)

Rosemary44

It's not high up there but it does have antioxidants, so all is not lost. I believe we should be eating about 5000 (whatever they're called) of antioxidants daily for them to do the job of fighting radicals. That's where those nice berry fruit smoothies comes in to play. Just add one tsp. of tahini...ah good.

ravdeb

So, you mean that my dinner of popcorn and dry red wine will not do it??? Oh well.....

It IS a good snack, though, if you keep the butter off of it, that is.

Hmmmmmmmm...top it with berries? Berries are so hard to get here and are very, very expensive because they don't grow most of them here..too hot here. We do have a blackberry tree but those are sooooooooooooo messy!

Rosemary44

Popcorn, sprinkle some garlic powder, parsley and some low fat grated cheese, a glass of wine and voila...dinner is served.

That's too bad about not being able to get berries. Are you sure you don't want to pick those black berries before they get messy? I'd make a health claim about them but the FDA is looking to close me down.

Anonymous

Yum...I didn't have my popcorn dinner last night and now come here to read about it again. Gotta plan tonight's dinner around it, for sure. Or for a snack during SNL.

Ravdeb...We can get frozen organic berries here year round at Whole Foods. Do you have a similar grocer? Of course, fresh is better, but in a pinch..? My WF had fresh organic strawberries this week and they were awesome. I hate the ones from the regulary grocery store...tasteless (and full of pesticides!).

Marin