Tip# 3 The Best Grain for Weight Loss
WOULD YOU BELIEVE: It takes 6.5 pounds of corn to give you one days worth of calories.
SOME FACTS: Corn has long been the staple grain of the Americas. It is also one of the best grains for weight control. The EMI value of corn is 6.5, which means it takes 6.5 pounds of corn kernels to provide 2,500 calories. This is the highest EMI value of all grains. In terms of corn on the cob, this translates to 30 ears of corn per day. You can see why this grain will help you lose weight.
There are a lot of simple ways to dress up corn into delightful dishes that you might not even recognize. Lets start by getting back to the basics. Too often corn on the cob is forgotten as a grain and a main dish. Maybe it just seems too easy. But if youre in the mood for a delicious, easy-to-prepare food, try some plain, steamed corn on the cob. If you want to spice it up a little, sprinkle it with some herb powder, pepper or salt, or umeboshi plum vinegar (available in health food stores that sell macrobiotic foods). You can even use Butter Buds, if you miss that old buttery taste. If youve been eating your corn on the cob with butter, youre in for a surprise. By getting rid of the taste of the butter, most types of corn are absolutely delicious, especially if theyre cooked quickly and eaten fresh or flavored with different toppings.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Eat corn on the cob or off the cob, plain or with toppings.
Try Japanese umeboshi plum vinegar to drizzle on your corn on the cob.
Use herb, garlic or onion powder, or vegetarian Spike.
Corn on the Cob
6 ears Fresh corn, husked and cleaned
1 C Water
Place 1 inches of water in a saucepan, add corn. Bring water to a boil, cover, reduce flame to low. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, turning ears twice to ensure even cooking. Move corn to a platter and serve. Makes 6 portions. (1 portion = 83.2 calories, 0.1 grams fat, 11% protein, 80% carbohydrates, 9% fat)
You can eat it plain, or sprinkle with salt, an herb condiment such as Spike, or other favorite condiments. But stay away from margarine or butter, which are 99% fat. Theyll scuttle your diet.
Creamed Corn
6 ears Corn, precooked
2 Tbsp. Water, hot
Cook the corn as above (corn on cob), cool, and scrape kernels off the cob. Place kernels and water in a blender. Blend quickly, to create a creamy texture (parts of kernels still visible). Makes 6 portions. (1 portion = 83.2 calories, 0.1 grams fat, 11% protein, 80% carbohydrates, 9% fat)
Delicious as a side dish or as a baked potato topper (see Eat More, Weigh Less Tip #29).
Corn Polenta
1 C Cornmeal, coarsely ground
3-4 C Water
pinch Sea salt