Are corn sticks healthy for children and what are the consequences of their regular use

Corn sticks are a favorite treat for many children and adults. They're nice to crunch on while watching a movie, on the road, or just with a cup of tea. But do you know how these delicacies are actually made? TSN writes about it.

What are corn sticks made of?

The basis for making corn sticks is corn flour or starch. High-quality corn cobs are thoroughly washed, dried, and then ground to a powder. Other ingredients are added to this base: sugar, salt, vanilla or cocoa extract, flavors, colors, and preservatives. Sometimes the sticks may contain spices (garlic, paprika), milk (for softness and creamy flavor), egg powder (for satiety and protein enrichment), as well as vitamins and minerals.

How are corn sticks made?

1. Corn flour or starch is sifted to remove lumps, and the other ingredients are weighed and mixed in appropriate proportions.
2. Using special equipment, the ingredients are mixed with water until a homogeneous dough is formed.
3. The dough is then passed through an extruder, where it is pressed through special molds to form the sticks into the desired shape.
4. The formed sticks are dried in special dryers and then fried in corn oil until golden brown.
5. The finished sticks are cooled, flavors and other ingredients are added (according to the recipe), and then packaged.

History of corn sticks

This product first appeared in the United States in the 1890s. The two Kellogg brothers, owners of the Battle Creek Sanatorium, tried to create a dish from maize flour. Their experiments resulted in light flakes that were later fried and became the prototype of modern corn sticks.

In Ukraine, corn sticks began to be produced in 1963 using the technology developed by V. Krikunov.

Can children be given corn sticks?

Corn sticks are not recommended for children under 3 years of age, as their hard structure can lead to gastrointestinal tract injuries. Also, this product often contains a lot of sugar, harmful additives, and is poorly absorbed by the child's stomach. Children over the age of 3 can be given corn sticks in moderation, but it is better to choose products with minimal sugar and harmful additives.

If you want to get the latest news about the war and events in Ukraine, subscribe to our Telegram channel!