Corn porridge for weight loss is an excellent option for losing weight without harming the body, since the cereal from which the porridge is prepared contains a number of substances necessary for the body’s functioning, as well as biotin, which directly affects the quality of hair and skin.
Using corn porridge for weight loss makes it possible to get rid of extra pounds without harm to health and without feeling constant hunger. The advantages of this porridge also include its pleasant taste and unique composition. Corn porridge is rich in complex carbohydrates, which take a long time to digest. As a result of the process, glucose is produced, which enters the bloodstream in stages, causing a feeling of fullness. Thanks to the swollen fiber contained in the porridge, the desire to eat does not appear for a long time. Along with delicious porridge, the body receives vitamins and minerals that have a positive effect on health.
A weight loss diet using corn porridge is based on the positive effects of cereal, which is used to make a nutritious dish that helps shape your figure and strengthen your immune system. Since there are different varieties of cereals, it is important to make the right choice, taking into account certain nuances and prepare dietary porridge according to recipes developed by nutritionists.
Composition and properties of corn porridge
Corn grits contain about 25% of useful substances that are involved in the functioning of the body.
Corn grits contain 8g of vegetable protein and 70g of carbohydrates per 100g of product. It contains microelements important for the body. Cobalt stimulates the thyroid gland and the synthesis of enzymes useful for the absorption of nutrients. Zinc, chromium and copper help speed up metabolism, regulate energy consumption by cells and prevent an increase in fat deposits. Manganese activates the process of glucose uptake by cells and promotes the rapid utilization of fats. Corn grits contain B vitamins, thanks to which nutrients are quickly absorbed, as well as vitamins E, PP, A. The beauty vitamin - biotin, improves the condition of hair and skin.
The positive effect of corn grits is due to its properties. Product:
- It has a cleansing effect, removes waste, toxins, pesticides and other harmful substances from the intestines. Eating corn porridge allows you to satisfy hunger, restore digestion, eliminate constipation, fight putrefactive and fermentation processes, and stabilize metabolism.
- Increases the elasticity of blood vessels, making them elastic, strengthening the walls.
- Prevents the development of atherosclerosis by reducing the level of bad cholesterol in the blood.
Due to its rich composition, corn grits help replenish the body with energy and strengthen its defenses. The porridge made from this product does not contain gluten, which is not tolerated by a fairly large number of people. Corn porridge contains few calories and is considered a hypoallergenic product, due to which it is recommended to be consumed even by people prone to food allergies.
Interesting facts from history
The Mayan and Incas tribes began cultivating corn on ancient lands. Then they worshiped it and considered it a truly divine product. The second name of the crop is maize. Until now, when excavating territory on the American continent, cobs are discovered, which, according to scientists, have been stored in the ground for over 50 thousand years. Today, this crop is actively cultivated, but without human participation, the cobs simply do not grow or reproduce. Due to its numerous beneficial properties and nutritional value, it is grown wherever climatic conditions are suitable.
On the territory of Russia, the cultivation process first began during the Russian-Turkish battle. Then, as a result of the seizure of the Crimean land, corn was known as “Turkish wheat.”
By the way, some ufologists persistently convince us that the corn we all know well has a cosmic origin; it was from the solar system that unique seeds came to earth. Believing this version or not is everyone’s personal choice, but it’s worth knowing about the benefits and harms of corn porridge.
Types of cereals, rules for selection and preparation
Depending on the variety of corn and the methods of making cereal, several types of product are divided. The type of corn grits is also determined by the size and color of the grains. Different species undergo different processing methods. There are:
- polished. Corn kernel particles are obtained by crushing after peeling the shells and separating the germs. The groats come in various shapes, with rounded edges. Thus, 5 types of corn grits are obtained.
- large. Corn kernel particles are obtained by crushing after peeling the shells and separating the germs. The grains have different shapes. This type of cereal is used to produce puffed grain and corn flakes.
- small. The corn kernel particles are crushed after peeling the shells and separating the germs. Cereals have different shapes. It is from this type of cereal that corn sticks are produced.
To prepare corn porridge, polished grits of the first three numbers are suitable (there are 5 types of such grits). High-quality cereals should have a light yellow color. The shade can vary: from bright amber to whitish. High-quality cereals chosen for preparing healthy food should smell pleasant and contain no impurities.
When preparing corn porridge, it is important to take into account that the cereal swells and begins to increase in mass. The product should be thoroughly washed to remove any starch it contains, then soaked overnight in warm water. One part of cereal requires 4 parts of water. In the morning, when you start cooking porridge, you need to add water so that it covers the cereal. The resulting mass should be simmered over low heat for about 20 minutes until tender, stirring constantly so as not to burn. Porridges in dietary nutrition are consumed without additives and are prepared exclusively with water. Corn porridge prepared as a dietary food should not contain salt or sugar.
Stores sell corn grits of different grinds, the types are designated by numbers from 1 to 5. The numbers 1, 2, 3 indicate that the grits are coarsely ground, and 4 and 5 indicate that they are finely ground. You can save time when preparing porridge if you choose finely ground cereal. It will take a maximum of 10 minutes to prepare such porridge, while coarse cereals will take about 30 minutes to prepare. If the porridge is dietary and is used for weight loss, it is advised to choose coarse grains.
When choosing, it is important to pay attention to the expiration date. It is not recommended to use an expired product. Cereals should be stored in glass containers at a humidity of 60-70% and a temperature from -5 to +5 degrees.
Cooking a dish in a slow cooker
You can save a lot of time by preparing porridge for weight loss using a multicooker. To try this recipe you will need a slow cooker and the following instructions:
- Rinse the cereal with water, let the liquid drain, throwing the cereal in a colander.
- The multicooker bowl should be greased with a piece of butter, which can be replaced with half a teaspoon of olive oil. Oil will prevent the dish from burning.
- Place the cereal into a bowl.
- You should dissolve half a teaspoon of salt and 1 tsp in milk. sugar, and then pour the mixture into the porridge.
- The mixture is stirred, then cooked for 15 minutes in the “Milk porridge”, “Porridge” or “Multi-cook” mode.
Important! Take 120-150 ml of milk or water per 100 g of cereal. If you want a thin porridge, add 200 ml of milk per 100 g of cereal.
Advice! After cooking, leave the dish for 15 minutes, or you can keep the porridge for 10 minutes in the heating mode.
How to cook
The recipe for making corn porridge for weight loss is simple, however, there are certain rules, following which will help you get a healthy dish that meets dietary requirements:
- The corn porridge diet involves cooking the dish in water. You can also cook with milk, but in this case you should not expect rapid weight loss.
- After thoroughly washing the cereals, before cooking they should be soaked in water overnight. In the morning, you should rinse it from starch and fill it with cool water for an hour (you can also overnight). Soaking coarse grains will help cook the porridge much faster.
- For liquid porridge you need to use 800-1000 ml of water, for thick porridge, suitable as a side dish, about 600 ml per glass of corn grits.
It must be taken into account that the finished dish thickens, no matter how much water is added to it. This property of corn porridge allows the product to be used for preparing national dishes of different peoples of Europe.
You can add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the porridge. However, for weight loss it is better to cook corn porridge without adding any fat. You can improve the taste of porridge by adding pumpkin, nuts, dried fruits, honey or cinnamon. Corn porridge makes an excellent side dish for lunch. It goes well with mushroom dishes, as well as fish and seafood.
You can prepare corn porridge in different ways. A dish prepared according to dietary requirements is considered healthy.
Video - Dinner at 250 kcal. Corn porridge with feta cheese
Cook in a saucepan
To prepare porridge, you should choose a pan with a thick bottom so that the thick mass does not stick to the bottom. You need to drain the washed and swollen cereal and pour the corn mixture into a saucepan. Then the cereal must be filled with water in a ratio of 1:4. Cook the porridge over low heat until cooked, stirring constantly with a spoon.
Porridge with milk is first cooked in water in the proportion of ¾ cup per half liter of water, stirring the mixture constantly. After the water has completely boiled away, add 500 ml of milk and 10 g of sugar to the porridge. Then continue cooking for another 30 minutes.
In a slow cooker
Porridge cooks faster in a slow cooker and the cooking process is much easier. Typically the cooking process takes 40 minutes.
You need to rinse 170g of corn grits with cold water and pour it into the multicooker container, adding 1 liter of water. You must select the Porridge mode at a temperature of 60 degrees. The finished porridge can be seasoned with fruit or honey.
In the oven
The advantage of this method of preparing corn porridge is the reduced risk that the dish will burn. You need to take a glass of cereal and rinse it with cold water. The well-washed product should be poured into a saucepan and filled with 750 ml of water, adding salt and olive oil. However, salt and sugar are not added to diet porridge. For a slim figure, you should use porridge without fat, sugar and salt.
The oven should be preheated to 90 degrees. Cooking time: 30 minutes. The dish must be covered with a tight lid.
With pumpkin (calorie calculation)
Corn porridge with pumpkin can be prepared with either water or milk. The cereal needs to be fried in a frying pan, then pour 300 ml of milk and 450 ml of water into it and leave for half an hour. Pre-peeled and diced pumpkin should be simmered until it is completely softened and becomes a paste. The resulting pumpkin mass should be mixed with the swollen cereal, put on low heat and bring to a boil. The already prepared porridge should be removed from the heat, wrapped and allowed to brew under the lid. Salt and oil are added to taste, in cases where the purpose of eating porridge is not to lose weight.
Corn grits porridge with milk has a high calorie content. The dish includes several ingredients, and the calculation is carried out taking into account the composition of each of them:
- 100 corn grits contains: proteins – 8.3g; fat – 1.2 g; carbohydrates – 75g. Ingredient calorie content – 337 kcal;
- 250g of pumpkin contains: proteins 3.25g; fats – 0.75g; carbohydrates – 19.25g. Calorie content – 70 kcal;
- 300 ml of milk contains: proteins 9.6 g; fats -10.8g; carbohydrates - 14.4g. Calorie content – 192 kcal;
- 14g of butter contains: proteins - 0.07g; fats - 11.55g; carbohydrates - 0.11g. Calorie content - 104.72 kcal;
- water does not contain proteins, fats or carbohydrates.
As a result, the proteins in the porridge are 21.1 g, fats – 24.3 g, carbohydrates – 108.8 g. Calorie content – 703.7 kcal.
One serving (standard plate) of porridge with pumpkin in milk weighing 289g contains: proteins – 7.1g; fats – 8.1g; carbohydrates - 36.3 g. Calories - 235 kcal.
100g of porridge with milk from corn grits and pumpkin contains: proteins – 2.5g; fats – 2.8 g; carbohydrates – 12.6 g. Calories – 81.3 kcal.
The calorie content of porridge with water is much lower.
Interesting video: Milk CORN porridge with pumpkin in the oven
With dried fruits (calorie content calculation)
To calculate, you can use a fairly simplified method, which can easily be applied to any dish if you clarify the calorie content of its components using tables developed by specialists.
100 g of corn grits contains 337 kcal. This amount of cereal yields about 289 g of porridge, that is, the cereal increases 2.89 times. The calculation is done as follows: 337: 2.89 = 117 kcal. That is, 100g of porridge contains 117 kcal. The amount of protein will be 8.3: 2.89 = 2.9g. The amount of fat will be 1.2: 2.89 = 0.4 g. Carbohydrates will be 75: 2.89 = 26.0g.
If you add dried fruits to the porridge, for example, dried apricots with a calorie content of 215 kcal (proteins 5.2 g, fats 0.3 g, carbohydrates 51 g) per 100 g of product, the calculation of the calorie content of 100 g of the resulting porridge will be as follows: 117 + 215 = 332 kcal. The proteins in the dish will be 2.9 + 5.2 = 8.1 g. The amount of fat will be 0.4 + 0.3 = 0.7 g. Carbohydrates in porridge with dried fruits will be 26.0 + 51.0 = 77.0 g. The calculation is approximate.
It is not recommended to add large amounts of dried fruits to dietary porridge. About 20 g of dried fruits in porridge will help improve the taste of the dish and not greatly increase its calorie content.
With milk (calorie content calculation)
Using the method of calculating the calorie content of 100g of corn porridge, you can easily calculate the calorie content of a dish with the addition of milk. If 100 ml of milk with 1.5% fat content is used (44 kcal, proteins 2.8, fats 1.5, carbohydrates 4.7), the calculation results will be as follows: 117 + 44 = 161 kcal. The amount of proteins will be 2.9 + 2.8 = 5.7 g. The amount of fat will be 0.4 + 1.5 = 1.9 g. The mass of carbohydrates in the dish will be 26.0 + 4.7 = 30.7 g.
Fully or partially limited products
- pastries, bread, crackers, any sweets;
- animal fats;
- fatty dairy products;
- sweet carbonated drinks;
- sweet fruits;
- vegetables with a high starch content: potatoes, boiled carrots and beets, Jerusalem artichoke, zucchini.
Table of prohibited products
Proteins, g | Fats, g | Carbohydrates, g | Calories, kcal | |
Vegetables and greens | ||||
fried potato | 2,8 | 9,5 | 23,4 | 192 |
Fruits | ||||
figs | 0,7 | 0,2 | 13,7 | 49 |
persimmon | 0,5 | 0,3 | 15,3 | 66 |
Berries | ||||
grape | 0,6 | 0,2 | 16,8 | 65 |
Nuts and dried fruits | ||||
raisin | 2,9 | 0,6 | 66,0 | 264 |
dates | 2,5 | 0,5 | 69,2 | 274 |
Flour and pasta | ||||
pasta | 10,4 | 1,1 | 69,7 | 337 |
pancakes | 6,1 | 12,3 | 26,0 | 233 |
Bakery products | ||||
buns | 7,2 | 6,2 | 51,0 | 317 |
wheat bread | 8,1 | 1,0 | 48,8 | 242 |
Confectionery | ||||
jam | 0,3 | 0,2 | 63,0 | 263 |
jam | 0,3 | 0,1 | 56,0 | 238 |
candies | 4,3 | 19,8 | 67,5 | 453 |
cake | 3,8 | 22,6 | 47,0 | 397 |
jam | 0,4 | 0,2 | 58,6 | 233 |
halva | 11,6 | 29,7 | 54,0 | 523 |
Cakes | ||||
cake | 4,4 | 23,4 | 45,2 | 407 |
Chocolate | ||||
chocolate | 5,4 | 35,3 | 56,5 | 544 |
Raw materials and seasonings | ||||
mayonnaise | 2,4 | 67,0 | 3,9 | 627 |
honey | 0,8 | 0,0 | 81,5 | 329 |
sugar | 0,0 | 0,0 | 99,7 | 398 |
Dairy | ||||
cream | 2,8 | 20,0 | 3,7 | 205 |
Meat products | ||||
fatty pork | 11,4 | 49,3 | 0,0 | 489 |
salo | 2,4 | 89,0 | 0,0 | 797 |
bacon | 23,0 | 45,0 | 0,0 | 500 |
Sausages | ||||
smoked sausage | 28,2 | 27,5 | 0,0 | 360 |
Fish and seafood | ||||
fried fish | 19,5 | 11,7 | 6,2 | 206 |
Alcoholic drinks | ||||
white dessert wine 16% | 0,5 | 0,0 | 16,0 | 153 |
vodka | 0,0 | 0,0 | 0,1 | 235 |
beer | 0,3 | 0,0 | 4,6 | 42 |
* data is per 100 g of product |
The essence and principle of the diet
The corn porridge diet is based on the principle of reducing the amount of proteins and fats. There are several diet options. When losing weight on a mono-diet, the required amount of proteins and fats enters the body with corn grits. When using an expanded nutrition plan, sources of beneficial substances are kefir, natural yogurt and vegetable oils.
The duration of the diet should be a maximum of 4 days. This weight loss program is different in that even with a strict mono-diet, the body receives all the necessary substances from cereals. Plant fiber in the product removes toxins and excess fluid from the body, stimulates intestinal activity, resulting in weight loss.
The use of the corn porridge diet has certain rules:
- corn porridge should be on the daily menu. The day should start with a bowl of porridge;
- You should eat small equal portions 3-5 times a day;
- while following the diet, you need to consume 2.5 liters of liquid per day, including water, teas and decoctions;
- it is necessary to completely eliminate salt and sugar from the diet;
- The last meal should be 3 hours before bedtime.
Is it possible to lose weight this way?
Despite the high calorie content, porridge is useful for losing weight. It belongs to complex carbohydrates. Therefore, the absorption of corn grits occurs slowly, a lot of energy is spent on its breakdown, and practically no fat deposits are formed. As a result, glucose enters the blood gradually. Thanks to this, the brain does not receive a signal about a lack of carbohydrates for a long time, and the feeling of fullness remains for a long time.
Corn is a complex carbohydrate
In addition, porridge is rich in fiber, which swells in the stomach and creates a feeling of fullness, even when consumed in small quantities. Fiber passes through the digestive tract unchanged, absorbing toxins and wastes and removing them from the body.
Due to the content of saturated fatty acids, cereals stimulate the process of breakdown of existing fat cells (lipolysis).
Essential amino acids help normalize metabolism. This property of corn grits ensures that the indicators achieved by the diet are maintained at a constant level. In case of metabolic disorders, the extra pounds quickly return.
In dry form, cereal contains 385 kcal per 100 g, in finished form - 85 kcal (when cooked in water without adding oil or sugar). If you add butter and sugar to porridge, its calorie content will be 146 units.
Diet options
The corn porridge diet can be different. The most stringent is a mono-diet with a duration of 3 days. Every day you need to eat porridge prepared from a glass of cereal without salt, sugar and butter. It is important to eat in equal portions, several times throughout the day. You need to drink at least 2 liters of water.
A softer scheme is the option designed for 4 days. The menu for this program includes corn porridge. This interpretation of the scheme differs in that in the first two days you are allowed to eat 400g of porridge, distributing it between separate meals. Starting from the third day, the portion should be reduced to 200g per day.
Menu for the week
In the first 4 days (restrictive period), the daily portion of porridge is 400 g, it must be divided into 2 meals. During a snack, you can eat a vegetable salad or drink a glass of low-fat kefir. Over the next 3 days, the quantity of the main dish is reduced.
An example of a weekly menu for a corn diet:
Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Afternoon snack | Dinner |
Monday | 200 g porridge on water (without salt and oil), unsweetened green tea | Cucumber and tomato salad | 200 g porridge, cucumber, tea | Natural yogurt | Apple, tea |
Tuesday | 200 g porridge, weak coffee without sugar | Tomato and bell pepper salad | 200 g porridge, steamed cauliflower, tea | Biokefir | Cottage cheese with herbs or dried fruits, tea |
Wednesday | 200 g porridge, natural juice | A handful of steamed raisins | Porridge, stewed vegetables, tea | Apple and carrot salad | Curd casserole, tea |
Thursday | Porridge, tomato, coffee | Orange | Porridge, salad of Bulgarian feathers, onions, boiled asparagus, compote | Cherry jelly with biscuits | Mushroom soup, tea |
Friday | 150 g porridge, beet salad with prunes and nuts, coffee | Salad with avocado, cherry tomatoes, onions, herbs | 100 g boiled chicken, 100 g porridge, cucumber, corn silk decoction | Low-fat cottage cheese, apple | Baked apples with cottage cheese and honey, tea |
Saturday | 150 g porridge with dried apricots, tea | Natural yogurt | Omelette, 200 ml chicken broth, rice cake with cheese, tea | Smoothie made from boiled broccoli, kefir, herbs | Boiled chicken breast, salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers |
Sunday | 100 g porridge, black bread toast, biokefir | Cottage cheese with prunes | Boiled white fish, 100 g mashed potatoes, compote | Cornmeal pancake, kefir | Casserole, smoothie made from grapefruit, green apple, kiwi, kefir |
As you can see from the table, towards the end of the week the diet becomes more varied.
Fasting day
Carrying out fasting days is good for health at any age, both with and without excess weight. As a result of a properly organized fasting day, it is possible to cleanse the body gently and without harm to health. During this period, the stomach and intestines take a break from heavy food; in one day of unloading you can lose up to 1 kg.
A fasting day helps improve immunity and prevents diseases of the stomach and intestines. Weight loss occurs without exhausting the body, due to the consumption of low-calorie food with a unique composition that satisfies the need for substances necessary for normal life.
On the day of cleansing, you need to prepare 400g of corn grits and divide it into 6 equal portions. These portions should be eaten throughout the day. It is important to follow the correct drinking regime.
Interesting video:
Strict
A strict diet is recommended when you need to quickly lose weight. For 4 days you need to eat corn grits porridge without additives. On the first and second days, you can eat 400g of porridge per day, dividing this amount into several equal portions. You are allowed to drink water, green tea or herbal infusions, which help cleanse the body.
Between meals, in order to satisfy the feeling of hunger, it is allowed to eat cucumber, apples or tomatoes in limited quantities.
On the third and fourth days you need to eat 200g of porridge for breakfast and dinner. The menu can include a salad of fresh vegetables, seasoned with lemon juice. For lunch you can eat 100g of chicken breast. After leaving the diet, you need to follow a proper diet, give up junk food and alcohol.
In general, a strict diet does not cause problems because corn is rich in vitamins and minerals. Along with porridge, the body receives the necessary substances that ensure the full functioning of organ systems. For some people, this eating pattern can cause dizziness, fatigue and weakness, which usually occurs if the diet they ate before the diet was high in calories. If negative reactions occur, you should consult your doctor.
Reception frequency
If a person does not urgently want to lose a lot of excess weight, then he can use corn porridge only for breakfast. Otherwise, this dish must be consumed at all meals. Porridge does not have many calories, which will prevent the body from accumulating fat. It is advisable to use clean water instead of tea for dessert, as it promotes rapid breakdown and removal of harmful accumulations.
It is also important to maintain adequate physical activity. Under this condition, the process of losing weight will occur faster and more noticeably. Exercises in this case will prevent sagging skin that appears due to sudden weight loss and will make it attractive and more toned. Exercise will also speed up your metabolism, resulting in weight loss.
Contraindications
Corn porridge is not recommended for people with low weight and those with immunity problems. The use of this diet is not recommended if there are certain contraindications, which include:
- gastrointestinal diseases in the acute phase. Since corn contains a large amount of plant fiber, porridge made from this cereal can irritate the walls of the digestive organs and aggravate the patient’s condition;
- blood clotting problems;
- allergies to legumes;
- kidney disease and thrombophlebitis;
- period of menstruation. The ban is due to the presence of a large amount of copper in the product. The copper contained in corn can increase bleeding and make it painful;
- indigestion, diarrhea.
Origin of corn
Corn was born in America. In the 16th century, the whole world recognized this agricultural crop.
Since then, many peoples have called corn porridge a product of their homeland. Mamalyga is the national dish of Romania, Moldova and the peoples of Western Ukraine.
Corn appeared there in the 17th century. Since then, it has been closely connected with the culture of these countries.
Mamalyga is similar to bread. Maybe that's why corn is called "Poor Man's Bread."
Polenta is a thinner porridge than hominy, and its country of origin is Italy.
How many kg can you lose?
According to reviews, the corn diet is quite effective and allows you to lose from 2 to 5 kg of weight in a very short period of time (maximum 4 days).
A strict diet allows you to lose 3 kg within 4 days, a gentle diet allows you to lose 2 kg, a mono-diet is an excellent opportunity to lose about 3-4 kg of weight. During one fasting day, weight decreases by 1-2 kg.
A diet developed based on the consumption of corn porridge allows you to get rid of extra pounds and cleanse your body in a matter of days.