Is Cornmeal Gluten Free? Find Out Here!

Is Cornmeal Gluten-free?

Many people who follow a gluten-free lifestyle avoid products containing wheat, barley, or rye. Cornmeal does not contain any of those ingredients.

Cornmeal is not considered to be gluten-free. However, if you follow a gluten-sensitive diet, you may still find it beneficial to eat cornmeal.

You can buy cornmeal in various grind sizes, including fine, medium, and coarse. Fine cornmeal is used primarily for cooking; medium cornmeal is used for baking, and coarse cornmeal is used for thickening sauces and gravies.

If you follow a gluten-sensitive diet, you might consider eating cornmeal instead of wheat flour. However, keep in mind that cornmeal doesn’t contain any gluten, so it won’t affect your blood sugar levels.

What Exactly Is Cornmeal?

Cornmeal is made of ground yellow corn that has been processed into a powdery consistency. You may recognize cornmeal as the primary ingredient in corn gluten. It’s a common household staple in the United States and you’ll probably recognize it as the main ingredient in tortillas, polenta, grits, masa harina, and hominy, corn kernels, corn muffins, and fresh corns.

Gluten-free Cornmeal Brands

Cornmeal is a staple food item used in baking recipes. There are several types of cornmeal available including white, yellow, blue, and red. All of these varieties are suitable for making gluten-free baked goods. However, not all cornmeal products are gluten-free.

Some manufacturers add wheat flour to their products to give them a thicker consistency. These products may still be suitable for those with celiac disease, however, if you are sensitive to gluten, you should avoid them even if it’s your favorite food.

To find a brand of cornmeal that is 100% gluten-free, look for the following labels: Gluten Free Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, USDA Organic, Kosher, and/or Halal certified. You can also search online for gluten-free cornmeal products.

1. Arrowhead Mills Organic Yellow Cornmeal Gluten Free

This cornmeal is made from 100% organic whole-grain yellow corn. It’s also low-fat, dairy-free, sodium-free, and suitable for a variety of dietary lifestyles.

Arrowhead Mills’ organic yellow cornmeal is available in two sizes: 1-pound bags and 2 pounds bags. You’ll find it in most major grocery stores nationwide.

You can buy this cornmeal online through Amazon.com. It costs $6.99 per pound. However, if you shop around, you should be able to find it cheaper.

2. Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Medium Cornmeal

This cornmeal is great for making pancakes, waffles, muffins, biscuits, breads, etc. It’s also great for baking cookies, cakes, pies, etc. Because it’s gluten-free, there’s no worry about cross contamination.

You’ll notice that Bob’s Red Mill makes a lot of gluten-free products, including their golden yellow medium cornmeal. It’s not only safe for those with celiac disease, but it’s also safe for anyone else who wants to avoid gluten.

Each serving of Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free cornmeal contains over 20% of the recommended daily fiber intake. It’s also kosher and vegan, and it’s also certified organic.

3. Great Value Yellow Cornmeal

This yellow cornmeal is a great value at under $1 per pound. It’s made without added sugar, salt, preservatives, cheese artificial flavors, or colors. It’s also non-GMO verified.

You’ll find this cornmeal in the baking aisle of most grocery stores. You might also find it in bulk bins or online.

This cornmeal is a great option if you’re on a tight budget. It’s also a great choice if you have celiac disease or another food allergy. It doesn’t contain any gluten, so it’s safe for anyone with a wheat allergy.

There are no additives, preservatives, artificial flavorings, or colors in this cornmeal. It’s also non GMO verified.

4. P.A.N Yellow Corn Meal

If you’re looking for a certified gluten-free cornmeal that tastes amazing, look no further than PAN yellow corn meal. It’s made from 100% organic yellow corn and is completely gluten-free. It’s also enriched, making it even better for you!

You’ll find this product at Whole Foods Market, Target, Walmart, and other major retailers. You can buy it online here for around $10 per bag.

Not only is it gluten-free, but it’s also kosher and halal. So if you’re looking for a healthy alternative to regular wheat products, this is definitely worth checking out.

Gluten Intolerance And Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a condition where the immune system attacks the small intestine after exposure to gluten-containing ingredients. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weight loss, joint pain, bone fractures, headaches, depression, and anxiety.

Left untreated, celiac disease can lead to serious complications, including cancer, osteoporotic bones, liver damage, infertility, and neurological disorders.

A gluten-free diet is the only effective treatment for celiac disease. However, if you suspect you have celiac disease, talk to your doctor right away. He or she can test you for celiac disease and prescribe a gluten-free diet for you.

 Cross-contamination

You may think that cornmeal is safe to eat since it’s not made using wheat flour, but there’s still a risk of cross contact. Even though cornmeal is considered a gluten-free food, it’s still manufactured on equipment used to process wheat. As a result, even the smallest amounts of gluten can contaminate your cornmeal.

To avoid any unwanted side effects, buy cornmeal that says it’s gluten-free. You’ll find that most brands of cornmeal are labeled as gluten-free, but it’s always a good idea to check the label on the packaging to confirm that it’s truly gluten-free.

Is Polenta Suitable For Celiac Patients?

People with celiac disease should avoid eating corn products, especially cornmeal. While corn doesn’t contain gluten, its protein, zein, causes an autoimmune reaction in some individuals with celiac disease. 

Cornmeal is safe for people with Celiac Disease. However, cross-contamination is a concern. Be careful to purchase certified gluten-free corn meals or packaged precooked polenta. You can also cook cornmeal at low temperatures to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

Are Grits Gluten-free?

Cornbread is traditionally made using cornmeal, eggs, milk, and butter. While cornmeal itself does not contain any gluten, other ingredients used in making cornbread may contain gluten. Therefore, it’s important to look for a gluten-free label on the package to ensure that no cross-contamination took place during the harvesting or processing of the product.

Make sure to avoid adding flour to your cornbread batter as this contains gluten. Instead, try making your own gluten-free cornbread at home. You can find recipes online or purchase premade mixes.

Is Cornbread Gluten-free?

You may think that cornbread is naturally gluten-free a great alternative for rice, but there are actually two types of cornbreads available today. One version uses all-purpose flour, while another version uses a gluten-free flour mix. You’ll find that most recipes call for using a gluten-free flour mixture instead of all-purpose flour.

There are plenty of gluten-free flour blends available online, so you should be able to easily locate one that works well for making cornbread gluten-free. Just remember that if you do decide to use gluten-free flour, you’ll need to adjust the recipe accordingly.