Corn oil is a cooking oil made entirely from corn products. It can be used in recipes similarly to other cooking oils, such as vegetable oil and canola oil. What type of oil you cook with is up to you. However, before using corn oil you should read about its nutritional value and how it affects your daily diet.
Serving Size
The stated serving size for corn oil is 1 tbsp., according to the nutrition facts. However, because you likely use the oil as one ingredient in a recipe, you may not be getting a full serving in each food portion you eat. Use the nutrition information as a reference for how corn oil affects your diet.
Calories
A tablespoon of corn oil contains 120 calories, all of which come from fat. The calories in a food are a representation of how much energy it contains, the Food and Drug Administration reports. The number of calories you need to eat in a day is dependent on your age, weight, activity level and whether you are trying to lose, gain or maintain your weight. If you eat a 2,000-calorie diet, a full serving of corn oil amounts to 6 percent of your total daily caloric intake.
Fat
A serving of corn oil contains 15 g of total fat, equal to about 23 percent of the maximum daily recommended intake. The fat in corn oil includes 2 g of saturated fat -- 9 percent of the maximum intake recommendation -- as well as 8 g of monounsaturated fat and 4 g of polyunsaturated fat. It contains no trans fat or cholesterol. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Dietary Guidelines advise limiting total fat intake to no more than 65 g if you eat a 2,000-calorie diet. Saturated fat intake should not exceed one-third of the total intake.
Sodium
As with all cooking oils, corn oil does not contain any sodium. Keep in mind, though, that the meal you prepare with corn oil likely contains sodium. Overall, you should limit sodium intake to no more than 2,400 mg daily, the USDA reports. Higher consumption makes it more likely you will develop high blood pressure.
Carbohydrates
Corn oil also does not contain any carbohydrates. Carbohydrates supply you with fiber and other nutrients. Because of this, 45 percent to 65 percent of your total calories should come from carbs, the USDA reports. Although corn oil does not contain carbohydrates, many foods do, including grain products, fruits, vegetables and dairy products.
Protein
Another dietary nutrient not present in corn oil is protein. However, protein is abundant in the typical American diet, so much so that the USDA's Dietary Guidelines do not contain an intake recommendation for it. Good dietary sources of protein include meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products and legumes.
Vitamins and Minerals
The only one of the many essential vitamins and minerals present in corn oil is vitamin E. Each serving of the oil contains 10 percent of the recommended daily intake value for vitamin E, according to Mazola, a producer of corn oil.
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