How to Live With Allergies to Corn

Corn is one of the most common food allergens. Since the vast majority of processed foods utilize corn products, it can be quite a challenge to eliminate all traces of corn from your diet.

Things You'll Need

• Arrowroot
• Bioflavonoid Complex
• Bromelain
• Quercetin
• Vitamin C

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Instructions

• 1

  Remove all products containing corn from your diet. These include, but are not limited to, corn flour, cornstarch, corn syrup, cornmeal, corn sugar, corn alcohol, and of course, corn chips.

• 2

  Read all labels diligently. Corn can be found in a mind-boggling array of food and food products, including soups, spaghetti sauces and processed meats. Even vinegar and ordinary table salt may contain corn.

• 3

  Beware of ingredients beginning with "dex," such as maltodextrin, dextrin and dextrates. They may be sources of corn.

• 4

  Limit or avoid foods containing sugar, such as sweetened cereals. The majority use corn sugars as sweeteners.

• 5

  Look for corn-free baking powder, which is available at most supermarkets.

• 6

  Substitute potato starch or arrowroot for cornstarch when it is used to thicken sauces, soups or gravies.

• 7

  Beware of products such as food starch, modified food starch, vegetable gum or vegetable starch. They may contain corn.

• 8

  Check your medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, as well as cosmetics and toiletries. Many contain corn syrup and cornstarch.

• 9

  Note that the adhesives on stamps and envelopes may contain corn, and this can be a problem for very sensitive people. Avoid licking them - use water instead.

• 10

  On the same note, corn oil is often used to coat plastic wrap, as well as paper cups and plates.

• 11

  Supplement your diet with vitamin C with added bioflavonoids, 1,000 to 5,000 mg daily, or quercetin, 500mg twice daily. They both help your body tolerate allergens and boost immune function. However as vitamin C is often derived from corn, you must use caution when selecting a brand of vitamin C.

• 12

  Take bromelain, 100mg twice daily. It enhances the absorption of quercetin.