MEALIES and MEALIE MEAL (CORN)

Benefits:

• Some mealie meal is enriched with niacin and iron.
• Yellow varieties a source of vitamin A

Drawbacks:

• Low in fibre if refined

Recent research in South Africa has revealed that 27 percent of the total population had indicated that mealies and maize products formed their staple food. The figure rose to 50 percent among the black population.

Fresh mealies contain some vitamin C and have useful amounts of magnesium, folic acid, vitamin B₁, niacin, vitamin E and iron.

Because the outer husk of the mealie grain usually passes through the digestive system without being broken down, mealies should be avoided by people suffering from a spastic colon. Unfortunately, dried mealies, sold as refined maize or mealie meal, have had much of the nutrients removed, although some types of mealie meal have been enriched with niacin and iron. Yellow maize meal is a good source of vitamin A. Samp is less nutritious than mealie meal, but is often eaten with beans, which would increase the protein levels substantially.

Mealies are also often eaten in a processed form, sweet corn being a particularly popular version.    

Return To The Following Index Pages:

1. Fruit
2. Vegetables
3. Herbs & Spices
4. Vitamins & Minerals