Corn Allergy:
A corn allergy is an immune reaction to corn proteins.
Symptoms of corn allergy:
Symptoms of corn allergy can be divided into 3 categories:
- Gastrointestinal – nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, gas, bloating
- Respiratory – wheezing, asthma, nasal congestion, runny nose
- Skin – hives, itching, swelling of tongue or face, rash, eczema
Anaphylaxis due to corn allergy is extremely rare.
The corn-free diet:
Following a corn-free diet requires the elimination of the following types of foods:
- Corn
- Cornmeal
- Corn flour
- Corn starch
- Corn syrup
- Popcorn
Corn oil may not contain any corn protein, and therefore may be tolerated by corn-allergic individuals. However, products can be contaminated with corn protein during processing, so a highly sensitive person should avoid corn oil.
Nutritional needs:
Corn is a good source of folate, vitamin C, niacin, thiamine and fiber. These nutrients can be found in beans, vegetables and fruits, fortified breakfast cereals, some meats, liver and whole grains.
