Corn season is here!
Here, a registered dietitian breaks it all downand the answer might surprise you.
Honestly, there’s a lot of confusion around cornnamely, what jot down of food it is.
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Is corn a vegetable, fruit or grain?
How do you count it in your meals when you’re aiming to make a healthy meal?
Keep reading to find out exactly what it is.
The answer will probably surprise you.
Is Corn a Fruit, Vegetable or Grain?
Spoiler: Corn is a combination of all threea fruit, a grainanda vegetable.
The answer lies within the variety of corn and the time of harvest.
In this case, these sweet corn kernels are considered a starchy vegetable.
The kernels mature and become hard and dry the longer the harvest is delayed.
Popcorn is a corn variety harvested at this mature state and is classified as a grain.
Corn at this mature stage can also be milled into cornmeal and used for foods like tortillas orcornbread.
Undoubtedly, corn is a starchy vegetable that provides more calories per serving than leafy green vegetables.
Corn also provides powerful antioxidants, according to a 2021 study inApplied Biological Chemistry.
So popcorn is considered a grain, not a vegetable or a fruit.
Is Corn Gluten-Free?
Corn on the cob is a summertime staple for a reason.
Enjoy sweet corn by tossing it on the grill for summer cookouts.
Add corn kernels to aFresh Sweet Corn Saladorcorn chowder.
Sweet corn also makes a great side dish, like in ourCorn Pudding with Bacon & Rosemary.
And don’t forget popcorn!
To satisfy a sweet craving, make ourCinnamon-Sugar Microwave Popcorn.
Whole cornmeal can be enjoyed in various ways, too.
Use it as a breading or add it todumplings, biscuits, bread, cakes, and waffles.
TheseHealthy Cornmeal Recipeswill inspire you with endless creations in the kitchen.
The Bottom Line
Corn is a nutritious food with multiple identities.
Check out theseHealthy Corn RecipesandHealthy Corn Side Dish Recipesfor more ideas and inspiration.
