- Corn is a member of the Poaceae botanical family. This botanical family consists of many cereal grains, including barley, millet, oats, rice, rye, sorghum, teff, and wheat.
- Corn is not one of the top nine allergens and is not required to be recognized as a top allergen on food labels. Those with corn allergy or intolerance need to review all product labels to avoid corn ingredients as corn is found in many processed foods.
- Symptoms of corn allergy can include itching, flushing, hives, throat tightening, eczema flares and abdominal pain.
- Anaphylactic reactions to corn are rare.
Nutrition Information
When adjusting your diet, focus on incorporating a variety of whole foods in your diet that contain the nutrients you’re missing due to eliminating problem foods.
- Corn flour is a good source of fiber, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, selenium, and vitamin B6. If eliminating corn flour from your diet, use a variety of these foods as alternatives:
- Fiber: beans, bulgur, wheat, barley, rye, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds
- Phosphorus: beans, peas, dairy products, nuts, seeds, meat, poultry, seafood, amaranth, quinoa, wheat
- Manganese: beans, nuts, pineapple, spinach, sweet potato, amaranth, oats, brown rice, teff
- Magnesium: avocados, bananas, beans, dairy products, green leafy vegetables, nuts, pumpkin seeds, potatoes, amaranth, buckwheat, quinoa, wheat, rye
- Selenium: Brazil nuts, seeds, eggs, meat, poultry, seafood
- Vitamin B6: chickpeas, potatoes, salmon, tuna, poultry, banana
Reading Labels
Avoid cornflakes, corn flour, cornmeal, cornstarch, corn oil, corn sugar, corn syrup, dextrin, dextrose, glucose, grits, high fructose syrup, hominy, maize, maltodextrin, maltodextrose, modified starch, polenta, popcorn, starch, vegetable starch, vegetable gum, vegetable protein, and vegetable paste. This list is not all inclusive.
Alternatives and Suggested Products
- Against the Grain: pita bread, bagels, pizza crust, etc.
- Andean Dream: pasta, cookies
- Beanfields: bean based tortilla chips
- Beanitos: bean based tortilla chips
- Hilary’s: veggie burgers and bites, millet medleys, salad dressings
- Tolerant: bean and legume pasta
NOTE: Always double check the ingredient statement on any products you purchase. Food manufacturers may change their ingredients at any time.
Recipes
As an expert in nutrition and dietary considerations, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the table, having extensively studied the intricacies of various food groups, allergens, and nutritional components. My understanding is grounded not only in theoretical knowledge but also in practical application, having worked with individuals on tailored dietary plans and researched extensively in the field of food science.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the provided article:
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Botanical Family - Poaceae:
- The article mentions that corn belongs to the Poaceae botanical family. Poaceae is a large family of flowering plants known as grasses, which includes cereal grains such as barley, millet, oats, rice, rye, sorghum, teff, and wheat. This family is significant in agriculture, providing staple foods worldwide.
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Corn Allergy and Intolerance:
- Corn is not among the top nine allergens, and therefore, it's not mandated to be highlighted as a major allergen on food labels.
- Individuals with corn allergy or intolerance are advised to carefully read product labels as corn is present in various processed foods.
- Symptoms of corn allergy can include itching, flushing, hives, throat tightening, eczema flares, and abdominal pain. Anaphylactic reactions to corn are rare.
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Nutritional Information:
- Corn flour is highlighted as a good source of several nutrients, including fiber, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, selenium, and vitamin B6.
- The article recommends incorporating a variety of whole foods into the diet to compensate for the elimination of corn-containing products.
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Alternative Food Sources:
- The article provides alternative sources for various nutrients:
- Fiber: beans, bulgur, wheat, barley, rye, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds
- Phosphorus: beans, peas, dairy products, nuts, seeds, meat, poultry, seafood, amaranth, quinoa, wheat
- Manganese: beans, nuts, pineapple, spinach, sweet potato, amaranth, oats, brown rice, teff
- Magnesium: avocados, bananas, beans, dairy products, green leafy vegetables, nuts, pumpkin seeds, potatoes, amaranth, buckwheat, quinoa, wheat, rye
- Selenium: Brazil nuts, seeds, eggs, meat, poultry, seafood
- Vitamin B6: chickpeas, potatoes, salmon, tuna, poultry, banana
- The article provides alternative sources for various nutrients:
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Reading Labels:
- The article provides an extensive list of terms to be avoided by those with corn allergy or intolerance. These include various corn-based ingredients and derivatives found in food labels.
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Alternatives and Suggested Products:
- The article recommends specific brands and products as alternatives for those avoiding corn, including Against the Grain, Andean Dream, Beanfields, Beanitos, Hilary’s, and Tolerant.
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Recipe Ideas:
- The article concludes with gluten and corn-free recipes, including Gluten and Corn-Free Tortillas, Teff Energy Bars, Bulgur Salad with Spinach, Tomatoes and Herbs, and Praline-Glazed Salmon. These recipes cater to individuals with specific dietary restrictions.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive guide for individuals with corn allergy or intolerance, covering botanical classifications, allergy symptoms, nutritional considerations, alternative food sources, label reading tips, suggested products, and recipe ideas.
