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Does corn contain gluten?
"Does corn contain gluten?" is one of many questions often asked by newcomers to the gluten free diet.Although corn, like wheat, rye and barley, does have a protein content it does not have the harmful effects to someone with celiac disease as the gluten that is in wheat. Therefore it is considered safe for celiacs to eat. Corn, or maize as the plant is called, is the largest cereal grain and is native to the Americas. The grain can be eaten as a vegetable, known as corn on the cob or sweetcorn, as well as ground into flour. Corn on the cob has a low Glycemic index (GI) of 55 whereas once processed into cornmeal the GI goes up to 69. Finely ground maize is known as cornflour here in the UK or cornstarch in the USA. If you run cornflour through your fingers it has a soft feel and a distinctive sound. It is ideal for thickening sauces, gravys or soups, but is best mixed into a paste with a little cold water before it is added to the other ingredients.
Corn is often used for polenta, an Italian dish where traditionally the cornmeal is cooked slowly for a long time whilst being stirred. Cooked polenta can be shaped and fried or grilled. Plain polenta has a bland taste therefore many modern polenta recipes include cheese or tomato sauce. In the Southern United States corn grits is popular as a side dish or breakfast cereal. It is made from hominy which is the hulled grain from which the bran and germ has been removed. Before cooking the grits resemble fine sand, but when cooked the dish has a smooth texture.
Does malt contain gluten?Malt is commonly made from barley, a grain containing gluten. The grain is steeped in water then allowed to germinate and after around 4-6 days it is heated to stop the germination process from continuing. The grain is then dried, then "Kilned" at an even higher temperature until the correct colour is acheived.After all this treatment the grain is now called Malt. At this stage any rootlets that had grown are removed before being used for its end purpose. The malt has a higher protein (gluten) content than the original barley weight for weight. Other common uses of malt include vinegar, malted milk drinks, beer, ale and lager.
Do corn flakes contain gluten?Many brands of corn flakes include barley malt extract flavourings. Barley malt extract is not the same as barley malt. Because the amount of barley malt extract or flavouring used in corn flakes and other breakfast cereals is tiny it can be tolerated by most people with celiac disease, but the label on the product must state that it contains barley.For a list of gluten free breakfast cereals and other ideas and recipes to start your day check out the gluten free breakfast page on this site.
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Share your story . . .. . . of diagnosis, and life on a gluten free diet
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Therefore no information on this site should be taken as medical advice. Return to top of Does corn contain gluten Return to gluten free grains Return to Home Page |
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