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Corn Allergies and Sensitivities

Fresh corn on wooden cutting board

Updated 4/2023

Corn Sensitivity Food Guide

⚠️Spoiler alert for today’s post: If you have a corn allergy or sensitivity and need to avoid corn, you have to read the ingredients list on everything you eat. Corn is everywhere!

You can find corn in almost anything, including:

Why is corn so hard to avoid?

The hardest thing about finding corn on an ingredients list is that it is not always listed simply as ‘corn’ – corn can be listed under many different names.

We’ve worked with many clients who think they’re avoiding corn but still have allergy or sensitivity symptoms.

Ingredients and food items that may be derived from corn

The list provided below contains ingredients and food items that may be derived from corn, but the ingredients may also be derived from other sources.

Acetic acid

Artificial flavorings

Ascorbates

Baking powder

Blended sugar (sugar dextrose)

Calcium fumarate

Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA)

Carbonmethylcellulose sodium

Cellulose, powdered

Citric acid

Confectioners sugar

Corn flour

Corn sweetener, corn sugar

Cornstarch, cornflour

Crystalline fructose

Decyl polyglucose

Dextrose anything (such as monohydrate or anhydrous)

Drying agent

Ethanol

Ethylene

Ethyl lactate

Flavorings

Fruit juice concentrate

Gluconate

Gluconolactone

Glucose syrup (also found in IV solutions)

Gluten feed/meal

Glycerol

High fructose corn syrup

Hydrolyzed corn

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose

Iodized salt

Lauryl glucoside

Lysine

Malic acid

Malt, malt extract

Maltol

Methyl gluceth

Methylcellulose

Modified cellulose gum

Molasses (corn syrup may be present)

Natural flavorings

Polydextrose

Polysorbates (e.g. Polysorbate 80)

Potassium gluconate

Propionic acid

Saccharin

Simethicone

Sodium erythorbate

Sodium starch glycolate

Sorbic acid

Sorbitan tri-oleate

Starch (any kind not specified)

Sucrose

Tocopherol (vitamin E)

Unmodified starch

Vanillin

Vinyl acetate

Xanthan gum

Xylitol

Zein

Alcohol

Artificial sweeteners

Ascorbic acid

Barley malt

Brown sugar

Calcium gluconate

Calcium stearate

Caramel and caramel color

Cetearyl glucoside

Citrus cloud emulsion (CCS)

Corn alcohol, corn gluten

Corn oil, corn oil margarine

Corn syrup, corn syrup solids

Crosscarmellose sodium

Cyclodextrin

Dextrin

d-Gluconic acid

Erythorbic acid

Ethocel 20

Ethyl acetate

Ethyl maltol

Food starch

Fumaric acid

Gluconic acid

Glucosamine

Glutamate

Glycerides

Golden syrup

Hominy

Hydrolyzed corn protein

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP)

Lactate

Lecithin

Magnesium fumarate

Malonic acid

Maltitol

Maltose

Methyl glucose

Microcrystalline cellulose

Modified corn starch

Mono and di glycerides

Olestra/Olean

Polylactic acid (PLA)

Potassium citrate

Powdered sugar

Propylene glycol

Salt (iodized salt)

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose

Sodium fumarate

Sodium stearoyl fumarate

Sorbitan

Sorbitol

Stearic acid

Sugar (not identified as
cane or beet)

Treacle (aka golden syrup)

Vanilla, natural flavoring

Vegetable anything unspecified

Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Yeast


Alpha-tocopherol

Artificial sweeteners

Astaxanthin

Bleached flour

Calcium citrate

Calcium lactate

Calcium stearoyl lactylate

Cellulose microcrystalline

Choline chloride

Coco glycerides cocoglycerides

Corn extract

Corn starch

Corn, popcorn, cornmeal

Crystalline dextrose

Decyl glucoside

Dextrose (found in IV solutions)

Distilled white vinegar

Erythritol

Ethylcellulose

Ethyl alcohol

Fibersol-2

Fructose

Germ/germ meal

Glucono delta-lactone

Glucose

Gluten

Glycerin

Grits

Honey

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein

Inositol

Invert syrup or Invert sugar

Lactic acid

Linoleic acid

Maize

Malt syrup from corn (barley malt ok)

Maltodextrin

Mannitol

Methyl glucoside

Methylcellulose

Modified food starch

Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

Polenta

Polyvinyl acetate

Potassium fumarate

Pregelatinized starch

Propylene glycol monostearate

Semolina (unless from wheat)

Sodium citrate

Sodium lactate

Sorbate

Sorbitan monooleate

Sorghum (syrup /grain can be mixed with corn)

Stearoyls

Threonine

Triethyl citrate

Vanilla, pure or extract

Vinegar, distilled white

Vitamins and supplements

Zea mays

Corn Sensitivity Symptoms

While corn can cause the symptoms below, it’s important to understand that these symptoms aren’t specific to just corn. These are symptoms of adverse food reactions that can occur from any food someone is sensitive to.

Symptoms of adverse food reactions can include any of the following:

  • Fatigue 
  • Insomnia 
  • Anxiety 
  • Mood swings 
  • Food cravings 
  • Brain fog 
  • Headaches 
  • Migraines 
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) 
  • Sensitivity to sound
  • Rashes or hives 
  • Eczema or psoriasis 
  • Flushing 
  • Itchy skin 
  • Sinus issues 
  • Canker sores 
  • Lung congestion 
  • Red, swollen, watery, or itchy eyes 
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Urinary tract issues 
  • Joint pain or stiffness 
  • Muscle pain, spasms, or cramps
  • Irregular heartbeat 
  • High blood pressure 
  • Heartburn or reflux 
  • Stomach or intestinal pains or cramps 
  • Constipation 
  • Diarrhea 
  • Bloating 
  • Gas or burping 
  • Nausea 
  • Vomiting 
  • Painful elimination 
  • Fluctuating weight
  • Water retention 

Tips for following a corn-free diet

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, there are several ways to make following a corn-free diet easier.

Work with a professional

Meet with one of our registered dietitians (we specialize in food allergies and sensitivities) for additional guidance and support.

Clean up your diet

Many ingredients derived from corn are found in processed food; removing processed food from your diet will reduce the amount of “hidden” corn you may be consuming.

Check medications and supplements

Corn free supplements

Skincare and beauty products


 

Are you ready to finally heal your gut?

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