Upgrade Your Filler Foods - One snack at a time (Series - Part 1)

We all have unhealthy food habits that need correction at some point in time. Better late than never! If you have been consuming those calorie-laden snacks as your filler foods or pastime foods, then the time to correct has arrived. For all wannabe healthy foodies who have not been able to find healthier snacking alternatives, this post is the start of a series that will upgrade your unhealthy filler foods, one snack at a time.

Today's snack is everyone's favorite, yet it slips out of their thoughts when they try to find something that's crunchy, crispy, spicy, tangy, and everything but low on calories. If you also did not have it on your mind, all of this talks about the delightful 'sweet corn', which is mostly a part of our taste buds when we are at a theater or an adventure park. However, sweet corn can be had anywhere and at any time of the day when you want a great healthy snack that does not add to the flab.

Health Benefits

If you think that sweet corn is high on carbohydrates, then you must know that it is the best functional food you can have as a snack, without any guilt. It is most beneficial to have it during the day when you also need energy from your nutritional snack. Here are some great benefits of sweet corn that will make you replace all other filler foods with this miracle snack:

• Instant energy: Whether you are an athlete or not, sweet corn can offer you good carbs in small quantities so you can get instant energy when you actually need it. Do not be misled by the presence of carbs in this snack. In fact, it has the same calories but less than a quarter of sugar than an apple has!

• Source of fiber: As most people do not get the amount of fiber required daily, sweet corn can help significantly by providing fiber to the body. It is a wonderful source of fiber that aids the digestive system, adds good bacteria to the gut, and prevents constipation.

• Gluten-free, naturally: As it is free of gluten naturally, sweet corn is a healthy alternative to wheat snacks and other such foods that gluten-intolerant people cannot have.

• Diabetic-friendly: Packed with nutrition, sweet corn is also a great filler food for diabetics, as it does not contain any saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. It is good on vitamin C and B and fiber though. In fact, the phytochemicals in sweet corn regulate insulin secretion and act as a super-food for controlling diabetes.

• Healthy skin: Girls, good news! Sweet corn is packed with all essential vitamins (like vitamin E) and minerals that enhance the texture of skin, remove scars and acne, and even delay the aging process. What more can you ask for? Stay young with the sweet-sweet corn!

• Healthy hair: To improve blood circulation in your scalp and to give you strong and healthy hair, sweet corn works wonders. It has the required lycopene and antioxidants to do the job.

• Lowering cholesterol: Sweet corn contains bioflavonoids and carotenoids, as well as soluble fiber that turns into a gel-type substance. This substance absorbs bad cholesterol in the body.

• Improving vision: Carotenoids in sweet corn help in reducing macular degeneration. Sweet corn also offers vitamin A that improves vision.

• Preventing anemia: Those feeding on junk food usually go low on iron and folic acid. However, munching on sweet corn can prevent you from anemic conditions, as it has vitamin B12, iron, and folic acid in good quantities.

• Healthy heart: With a healthy fatty acid combination, sweet corn enables omega-3 fatty acids. This results in reduced bad cholesterol that is risky for the heart. Thus, you can be protected from several heart ailments.

How to Consume

Now that you know about the magical powers of this healthy snack, you should know that sweet corn is best had fresh and soft.

• Grill the corn cob and rub some salt, spices, and lemon juice on it to enjoy the tangy kernels.

• Boil the kernels and add salt, red chili, spices, and lemon juice to enjoy the tangy kernels.

Question for Readers

Whichever way you have a sweet corn, its kernels will be the pearls of health for you. So, which unhealthy filler food are you replacing this time with sweet corn?

(Think of your answer and wait for my next healthy snacking alternative in Part 2 of this series.)