5 Health Benefits Of Corn Flakes During Pregnancy

This easy and instant food option may effectively satisfy your pregnancy hunger pangs.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Irene (Eirini) Orfanoudaki, MD, PhD Dr. Irene (Eirini) Orfanoudaki Dr. Irene (Eirini) OrfanoudakiMD, PhD MomJunction on FacebookFollow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Gynaecology and ObstetricsExperience: 21 years
Written by , M.Tech (Biotechnology) Anshuman Mohapatra M.Tech (Biotechnology) Follow MomJunction on LinkedinFollow MomJunction on Twitter Specialty: Pregnancy and HealthExperience: 6 years
Edited by , M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Swati Patwal M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Food, Nutrition and HealthExperience: 10 years
Fact-checked by , M.Pharm, PhD Dr. Joyani Das M.Pharm, PhD Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Pharma, Health and WellnessExperience: 3.5 years
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Corn Flakes In Pregnancy

Image: ShutterStock

A bowl of corn flakes in pregnancy can serve as an easy and ideal breakfast. They are the classic and most commonly consumed cereals. Enriched with nutrients such as carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and fiber, these can provide the right amount of energy a pregnant body needs. In addition, they can serve as a go-to meal for maintaining a healthy pregnancy weight and body.

You can consume them with milk or add some fruits for a more flavorful meal. Read on to know more about corn flakes and their benefits for pregnant women, including their side effects.

In This Article

Why Corn Flakes During Pregnancy?

Consult your doctor before including corn flakes in your daily pregnancy diet

Image: IStock

Cereals offer umpteen benefits that make them a healthy choice during pregnancy. Here’s why corn flakes are an excellent addition to your healthy eating regimen.

  • Corn flakes are rich in complex carbohydrates and offer plenty of energy.
  • Several of them are enriched with vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin D, iron, calcium, and fiber.

Is it safe to eat corn flakes during pregnancy?

If you feel like having cereals such as corn flakes for your breakfast, do consult with your doctor for the benefits and side effects associated with daily consumption.

Nutritional Value Of Cornflakes

Different brands of cornflakes are available in the market. Below is the nutritional value of 100g of cornflakes from the brand Spartan (1):

NUTRIENTAMOUNT
Energy406kcal
Protein6.25g
Carbohydrate87.5g
Total dietary fiber3.1g
Sugars9.38g
Potassium172mg
Iron28.1mg
Sodium844mg
Vitamin C46.9mg
Niacin15.6mg
Vitamin B124.69mcg
Vitamin D125IU
Vitamin A3910IU

Source: US Department of Agriculture

Health Benefits Of Eating Corn Flakes During Pregnancy

According to experts a pregnancy diet must be rich in fiber and corn flakes are rich in dietary fiber.

Thus, eating corn flakes during pregnancy can offer plenty of health benefits. We shall have a closer look into the nutritional benefits of corn flakes in pregnancy below:

  1. A bowl of corn flakes contains 25 grams of fiber. You can keep at bay most of the problems associated with pregnancy when you get a high fiber content diet. Dietary fiber helps improve digestion that can keep constipation at bay.
  2. If you take a bowl of corn flakes every day, you can reduce the risks of preeclampsia that is caused by high blood pressure. Between 2017 and 2019, there was a notable rise in pregnancy-associated hypertension, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with the prevalence increasing from 10.8% to 13.0%.

    Dietary fiber in corn flakes helps reduce blood pressure

    Image: Shutterstock

  3. Corn flakes also help women control their weight during pregnancy.
  4. When you take a bowl of cornflakes in the morning, your tummy gets filled with rich fiber and it satisfies your hunger.
  5. Moderate intake removes tiredness improving energy levels, improves the intestinal mobilityiThe movement of food through the digestive tract coordinated by the muscles. and hemorrhoidsiSwollen and enlarged veins in the rectum and anus, leading to pain and bleeding. . It also controls high blood sugar regulating insulin levels associated with birth defects.
protip_icon Quick tip
You may consider eating oatmeal during pregnancy, which is a healthy alternative to sugar-laden breakfast cereals (5).

Moderate intake of corn flakes removes tiredness and improves energy levels
    Image: iStock

Negative Effects Of Cornflakes In Pregnancy

You may experience some of the negatives, when you take corn flakes in excess amounts. Here are some of the probable side effects you may face:

  • The commercially available corn flakes are rich in sugar, salt, and fat. Hence, their excess consumption may adversely affect maternal health over time.
  • High bran products may result in certain discomforts such as intestinal gas, flatulence, bloated feeling and abdominal pain. The ability of your body to absorb minerals, zinc and iron reduces when corn flakes are consumed in huge amounts.

    Corn flakes may result in intestinal gas or bloating

    Image: Shutterstock

  • Grains are generally acidic in nature and cause acidic state in the blood and tissues.
  • Compared to vegetables, sprouts and fruits, it is more difficult to consume grains in corn flakes.
  • If you are suffering from irritable bowel syndromeiA chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by pain and gastric discomfort. , the conditions may aggravate further with consumption of corn flakes.

How you feel and what you think is mostly guided by the diet you follow. So, make sure to spend a bit of time thinking what you should add and omit from your diet in pregnancy. Consulting a nutritionist who specialise in fabricating a diet chart for pregnant women can help you make informed choices about nutrition during this crucial time.

For You, Mommy:

Add fruits, honey, and nuts to corn flakes to make it tastier

Image: IStock

  • If you are a cereal freak and find it difficult to exclude corn flakes from your diet completely, incorporate them in moderation.
  • Add some honey, fruits and nuts to make it yummy. Your baby will surely love you for this!
  • Always have a word with your doctor regarding the changes in your diet and the inclusion of fortified foods.
  • Feel free to communicate your wishes for certain foods and cravings.
protip_icon Do remember
Before deciding on the cornflakes, ensure to pick the one that follows the “five-to-one fiber rule” ( On dividing the number of carbohydrate grams by dietary fiber grams, if the result is five or less, it indicates a healthy balance of ingredients) (6).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it safe to eat corn flakes during pregnancy?

Cornflakes, when consumed in moderation, may be safe to consume during pregnancy. However, the sugar and sodium content in the cornflakes could be high. Hence, check the labels and consult your doctor before consuming the product. If you have gestational diabetes, avoiding cornflakes with high sugar content might be safe (2).

2. Is eating cornflakes by an expecting mother linked with spina bifida in babies?

Spina bifida in babies is a neural tube defectiBirth abnormalities of the central nervous system in babies that are detectable in early pregnancy. caused by the deficiency of folate (3). Cornflakes, in general, are fortified with folate (4). Organic corn flakes with no preservatives may not cause spina bifida. However, this link cannot be generalized. Hence, if you wish to consume corn flakes during pregnancy, read the product’s ingredient list and confirm their safety in the presence of a doctor.

3. Are there any healthy alternatives for cornflakes during pregnancy?

Home-made or organic store-bought muesli could be a healthier alternative to cornflakes infused with sugar and salt. If you wish to prepare the muesli at home, you could customize it with nuts and seeds to increase its nutritional profile. Alternatively, if you wish to purchase muesli, check the ingredient list and avoid products with unhealthy ingredients.

4. Is cornflakes a balanced breakfast during pregnancy?

The nutritional profile of cornflakes might vary with each brand. Cornflakes alone cannot be considered a complete meal as they are less in protein. Hence, increase the nutritional profile of cornflakes by consuming them with milk, fruits, and nuts. When deciding on foods to eat during pregnancy, aim for meals that offer a range of essential nutrients to support both maternal and fetal health.

Most moms prefer easy-to-eat cereals such as corn flakes in pregnancy. Due to the various health benefits and high fiber content, corn flakes are considered one of the nutrient-rich foods that can help healthy weight gain during pregnancy. You may add it for breakfast or snack time to satisfy those quick hunger pangs while pregnant. Nevertheless, you must be mindful not to consume corn flakes in excess amounts as there could be a risk of side effects such as bloating and other gastrointestinal issues. Also, it is wise to talk to your doctor before adding any new food item to your pregnancy diet.

Infographic: Pros And Cons Of Including Corn Flakes In Your Pregnancy Diet

Cornflakes are a readily available breakfast option that can provide enough calories to energize a pregnant woman’s body while maintaining her body weight. However, there are certain drawbacks to including cornflakes in your pregnancy diet. Scroll through the infographic below to discover the advantages and disadvantages of this breakfast snack during pregnancy.

pros and cons of corn flakes during pregnancy (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

  • Corn flakes are a nutritious option for pregnant women due to their high levels of complex carbs, vitamins, iron, niacin, and fiber, providing energy and a complete diet.
  • They help reduce the risk of high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and constipation.
  • Overconsumption of grains can have adverse effects and lead to flatulence, intestinal gas, and abdominal pain.
  • Consult with your doctor before consuming corn flakes during pregnancy to learn about potential benefits and side effects of daily consumption.

Illustration: Health Benefits Of Corn Flakes During Pregnancy

corn flakes in pregnancy_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Corn flakes
    https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/383344/nutrients
  2. What can i eat with gestational diabetes?
    https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/gestational-diabetes
  3. Spina Bifida
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8719-spina-bifida
  4. Nutrition Facts; Cereals ready-to-eat KELLOGG KELLOGG’S Corn Flakes 1 cup (1 NLEA serving)
    https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=76&contentid=08020-1
  5. Diet During Pregnancy
    https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/diet-during-pregnancy/
  6. Breakfast Cereal
    https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/breakfast-cereal/
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Dr. Irene (Eirini) Orfanoudaki
Dr. Irene (Eirini) OrfanoudakiPhD, MD
Dr. Irene (Eirini) Orfanoudaki is a gynecologist-obstetrician, having a private practice in Heraklion, Crete, and collaborating with private health clinic 'MITERA' - Euromeda in Heraklion. With around 21 years of experience as a gynecologist-obstetrician, she specializes in ultrasound, colposcopy, minimal and advance gynecologic surgery, aesthetic gynecology, fertility consulting, menopause consulting, operative obstetrics, high-risk pregnancy, normal deliveries, antenatal, intra-parum, postnatal care, breast diseases, and teenage issues.

Read full bio of Dr. Irene (Eirini) Orfanoudaki
Anshuman Mohapatra
Anshuman MohapatraM.Tech (Biotechnology)
Anshuman Mohapatra is a biotechnology scientist with more than six years of research experience in analytical chemistry and biotechnology. He has submitted his PhD thesis at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) and served as a research fellow (JRF/SRF) during his PhD tenure.

Read full bio of Anshuman Mohapatra
Swati Patwal
Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA
Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

Read full bio of Swati Patwal
Dr. Joyani Das
Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD
Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer.

Read full bio of Dr. Joyani Das
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