Going Corn Free

Common products to avoid when you are trying to eat corn free
that people don’t think about

There are the obvious corn starch, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, dextrose but also watch out for the following ingredients.

Powdered Sugar, contains corn starch to reduce clumping. You can make your own (see recipe here) or purchase specialty products that contain tapioca or potatoe starch as the anti-clumping agent.

Baking Powder, contains corn starch to prevent clumping.Look for specialty products that do not contain corn starch.

Salt, contains corn starch to prevent the iodine from clumping. Use iodine free such as canning salt or sea salt. Be sure to check ingredient labels as some sea salts are offered in an iodized version. My favorite salt is the Pink Himalayan Salt, touted as the purest in the world.

Vanilla, contains corn syrup as an emulsifier. Use PURE vanilla extract and check ingredients label carefully. You can also make your own (see recipe).

Butter, you think of butter when you are avoiding dairy, but especially the vegan butter substitutes are often derived from corn products.

Cooking oil, many vegetable oils contain corn oil. Look for sunflower, coconut, olive or grapeseed oil. It is amazing how often you don’t really need it anyway.

Potato Chips are usually fried in corn oil. Some companies are starting to use sunflower oil, but baked chips are a good solution. Better yet, serve a side of grapes, apples or orange wedges, carrot or celery sticks. Still a simple side that is easy to fix and transport and healthier.

Commercial Bread almost always contains some form of corn.

Benedryl allergy tablets, you know the ones we all take when our allergies flair up. HyVee makes a generic equivalent which is corn free, or get the liquid version, although it is harder to carry in your purse. Call manufacturers to be sure of the ingredients.

Xanthun Gum, a common ingredient especially in Gluten Free foods, that is a corn product. It can also be made from potatoes or peas, but the only way to be sure is to research.

Dextrin, Maltodetrin, Dextrose, Maltodextrose, Polydextrose, Sucrose

Malt

Caramel Coloring, is often a corn product.

Vinegar, often derived from corn but the distilled vinegar is usually denatured enough to be tolerated. I prefer to use Apple Cider Vinegar where possible.

Cellulose
Xylitol
Alpha Tocopherol
Calcium Stearate
Ethyl Lactate
Saccharin
Ethylene
Sorbital
Fumaric acid
Citric acid, Ascorbic acid, Lactic Acid may be made from corn - check the source.
Di-glycerides
Margarine
Starch, especially modified food starch
Not labeled, but bleaching agents used in flour and sugar can be corn products.

Corn substitutes for recipes

Recipe calls for: Use instead:
Corn Starch: potato starch, potato flakes, flour, rice flour,arrowroot powder as a thickener               
or simply allow food to cook down

Corn Syrup:  honey

Corn Allergens website