The short answer...YES (in moderation).
The longer answer is still yes, but dives more deeply into the benefits of corn and why it’s good to eat it in moderation with other healthy fruits, vegetables, whole grains and proteins.
But wait: is corn a vegetable...or a grain?
Corn is actually both a vegetable and a grain - it depends on how it is processed and used. Sweet corn eaten right off the cob is classified as a vegetable. Dried corn kernels and cattle corn are more often classified as a grain.
Nutrients in sweet corn
According to Nutrition Data, one cup of sweet corn has:
177 calories
41 grams of carbs
5.4 grams of protein
2.1 grams of fat
4.6 grams of fibre
17% of the daily value (DV) of Vitamin C
24% of the DV of Vitamin B1
19% of the DV of Vitamin B9
11% of the DV of magnesium
10% of the DV of potassium
Rich in fibre, low in calories
Sweet corn is rich in fibre and plant compounds that contribute to your overall health. Studies have even shown that nutrients found in corn contribute to the health of various body parts, including vision. There was a study done on carotenoids (which are found in corn) and whether or not they helped reduce instances of cataracts and macular degeneration. Spoiler alert - they do!
Corn is also filling while being low in calories. Now we can’t say the same for the toppings you may put on your corn (we’re looking at you, butter).
Doesn’t sweet corn have a lot of sugar?
We like to brag about our sweetness, but corn doesn’t actually have a lot of natural sugar in it. A medium-sized cob of corn has about 6 grams of sugar - less than half the amount of a medium banana. The myth surrounding high sugar levels in sweet corn may come from the fact that corn is used to make overly sweet high-fructose corn syrup. But when you eat it fresh, your sugar intake remains low.
Be mindful of the starch
Corn is naturally high in starch and while it’s fine in moderation, too much starch can impact your blood sugar levels. For people with diabetes or who have to watch their blood sugar levels should keep that in mind when incorporating corn into their diet. If you are concerned about eating corn because of your blood sugar, you can always talk to your doctor or a diet specialist.
Pick up our sweet corn & save some for later
Stop by our stand during our summer season to pick up your own supply of nutritious, delicious sweet corn. You can even enjoy it all year round by freezing it - check out our blog article on freezing corn to find out how!