This is a question that has been up in the air around the internet for a long time.
Below is an infograph (complied by LearnStuff.com) titled “BIG BAD CORN,” talking about if corn is bad for us or not. Read over it. And let me know in the comments what your thoughts are on the subject.
Created by: www.LearnStuff.com
I now approach YOU with the question.
Based on the information above (and/or information you have gathered, read about, studied, or researched), what are your thoughts???
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Do you think corn is bad for you?
I’m open to both sides of the question.
Do you view corn as a vegetable?
I know I did view corn as a vegetable when I was a young child (I was quite a picky eater during that time, especially when it came to vegetables), but I don’t now. I do feel that if it’s organic and in its whole food form, it can be really beneficial in moderation (as it still has some vitamins and minerals in it), but I view it as more of a grain or complex carbohydrate source than a “vegetable.”
with lot of hugs,
Well, I certainly don’t think all corn products are good for you, but fresh, local corn on the cob? That’s not going to make you “dumb”
If you buy fresh USDA organic sweet corn, it will be a healthy vegetable to eat. Sweet corn is loaded with lutein and zeaxanthin, two phytochemicals that promote healthy vision. A midsize ear also offers a helpful 3-gram dose of dietary fiber.
This is so interesting! And I agree with Karina; normal corn isn’t going to lower your IQ
Coming from a farming community, this infograph is a little disheartening. Corn is a major source of income for farmers, but I do agree that HFCS is not okay. I haven’t eaten anything with HFCS in at least 6 months and I think everyone is capable of doing the same.
On the otherhand, I view corn as a vegetable. In its pure form it is nutritious and can be part of a balanced diet. I also think it goes without saying that corn in chili is one thing (a healthy addition) but corn on the cob drowned in butter and salt is not the way it was meant to be eaten.
Thanks for this interesting information!
I do find the infographic really interesting, but being in Australia and having minimal exposure to HFCS I do find that there is a myriad of factors contributing to the obesity and health problems in Western society. We don’t really have HFCS to blame it all on over here, though we do of course have other corn byproducts in many, many processed foods that the masses consume.
I do however really enjoy corn on the cob, popping my own organic corn kernels and anything else to do with fresh, organic, wholefood corn! In it’s natural state it’s a fantastic grain crop – it’s all the wacky stuff that’s been done with GM agriculture and post-production that messes us up.
I agree that high fructose corn syrup, refined corn products, deep-fried tortilla chips, corn oil, etc…are NOT the healthiest products to be consuming on a daily basis. I don’t think that corn in its “purest” form (on the cob) is necessarily bad for you, but I do think that there is WAY too much corn (or corn extracts) added to different products: soda, cereal, crackers, etc…I do think that air-popped popcorn (not the packaged kind) can be a very healthy treat–it is a good source of fiber and protein. I don’t really view corn as a vegetable; I treat it more as a grain. It seems that corn has been twisted, genetically modified, and highly processed into many unhealthy forms; when you do that to ANY food, it can become detrimental to your health. Personally, I find that some corn products are difficult for me to digest–mainly tortilla chips, but even corn on the cob sometimes. And it drives me crazy that corn is added to so many dog food brands–corn is NOT part of a dog’s natural diet!! Thanks for posting this interesting infograph; I enjoyed reading it:)
Interesting article, but a little disheartening as one of my children has Celiac Disease and corn is one of the few grains his body can tolerate. As a family we have all eaten gluten free as much as possible, which means more corn than the average family, right down to corn flour.–
Hey Tami!
Yeah, it is quite interesting — that’s why I love hearing all different views on this subject. I definitely feel corn is beneficial, especially for individuals and families that can’t tolerate gluten. I guess it just comes down to balance. It’s one thing I’ve been learning about in my Nutrition 150 class: Eating natural things in unnatural amounts can be harmful. I’m so glad that you’ve found what works for your family. Every family is different, that the stats on this infograph just need to be weighed with the other pros and cons to corn. Corn can do a lot of good.