Is Corn Starch Vegan? | Does Cornstarch Have Gluten?
If you’re like most people, you love processed foods. You love how they taste and feel in your mouth and that they’re so quick to make. That’s because many ingredients like maltodextrin ( check vegan status), glycerin (check vegan status), etc go in making your favorite snack tasty, crisp and consistent.
But are the ingredients used in these processed food vegan?. The answer is it depends since some ingredients are vegan and some are not. Today we are going to scrutinize one such ingredient cornstarch. Cornstarch is a great way to add some crispiness to your food—and it’s good for you!.
Cornstarch is an ingredient used in many processed foods. So what exactly is this magical ingredient? And why should you start eating more of it? Let’s take a look at how it works:
What Is Corn Starch?
Cornstarch is derived from the endosperm of corn, a part of the kernel. The corn kernels are then ground into a fine powder called Cornstarch or Corn flour. It is commonly used as an ingredient in processed foods because it helps them thicken sauces and gravies quickly without adding fat or oil.
It also acts as a binder for baked goods like cookies or bread doughs when used as part of a gluten-free flour blend. In addition to being used for food preparation purposes, Cornstarch can also be found in cosmetics as a thickening agent or as an extender for gelatinous substances such as jellies or gels (such as collagen).
Is Cornstarch Gluten Free?
Cornstarch is a gluten-free ingredient. Corn is a grain often processed from the endosperm of the ear of corn. Any ingredients derived from corn, like corn flour and corn meal, are also considered gluten-free. Cornstarch, on the other hand, is derived from the endosperm of corn and does not contain any gluten in its natural state.
It’s important to note that this does not mean that it doesn’t have any other ingredients, which may be problematic for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance—it just means that there aren’t enough gluten-containing ingredients in its composition to cause an issue.
This means that if you’re looking for a gluten-free alternative to flour in your baking recipes, you can use Cornstarch as a substitute.
Is There A Difference Between Cornstarch and Corn Flour?
There is a difference between cornstarch and corn flour, but it’s subtle. Cornstarch and corn flour are both made from corn, but they are used for different purposes. Cornstarch is made by removing the protein and fiber from the corn kernel. It’s gluten-free and has a bland taste, which can be used to thicken sauces, add texture to dishes, and provide an attractive color.
Corn starch is also known as arrowroot or tapioca starch. Corn flour is made from finely grinding dried corn or corn kernels into a powdery substance containing protein, fiber, starch, vitamins, and minerals. It’s rich in gluten, which makes it dense and crumbly like wheat flour. Corn flour has a sweet taste like any other flour.
Is Cornstarch Healthy?
Cornstarch is a great ingredient, and it’s often used in baking and cooking. But you might not know that Cornstarch isn’t as healthy as the original foods it’s used in. Cornstarch is highly processed and stripped of its nutrients. Eating in isolation can lead to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other problems.
Each serving of Cornstarch contains high levels of carbs and calories but little in the way of micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber. In other words, it’s not very nutritious by itself. To keep your blood sugar levels stable and avoid any adverse effects on your heart health, you must consume in moderation.
Alternatives For Cornstarch
1. Potato Starch
Potato starch is a highly refined form of starch extracted from potatoes. It’s an excellent option for replacing Cornstarch because it has similar properties as regular Cornstarch but with more fiber and fewer calories. To replace 1/4 cup of Cornstarch with potato starch, use 2 tablespoons of potato starch instead.
2. Tapioca Starch
Tapioca starch (also known as tapioca flour is absolutely vegan friendly since it is made from the starchy part of cassava root, a tropical plant native to South America and the Caribbean.
It contains fibers and nutrients but has a lower glycemic index than regular Cornstarch, making it easier on your blood sugar levels. To substitute Cornstarch in a recipe, you can use 1 cup of tapioca starch for every 1 cup of Cornstarch called for in your recipe.
3. Arrowroot
Arrowroot is an alternative for Cornstarch extracted from the tubers of the tropical plant, Maranata arundinacea. It has a similar nutritional profile to Cornstarch: both contain similar amounts of fiber and starch (which provides energy) per gram. To effectively replace Cornstarch, you should replace it at a 1:1 ratio.
4. Wheat Flour
Wheat flour (check vegan status) is another alternative for Cornstarch that’s often used as a thickening agent in sauces or cookery to make a roux (a mixture of flour and fat cooked together). Since wheat flour has a similar nutritional profile to Cornstarch, it can be used at a 1:1 ratio.
Conclusion
Cornstarch is a highly processed food, which means it lacks many of the nutrients found in corn but is still 100% corn. It’s been used as an ingredient in many processed foods which are vegan friendly like swedish fish, takis, airheads, Pringles, and veggie straws.
But it necessarily doesn’t imply that if a product contains corn starch it is vegan. Corn starch is been used in products like skittles and welch’s fruit snacks and after analyzing there vegan status it turns out they are not vegan. Cornstarch is also often used as a thickener for sauces and gravies.
Although it’s not necessarily bad for you, it isn’t necessarily good for you. Cornstarch does not have much nutritional value and can cause health problems if consumed too much.
You might be surprised to learn that several flours are available now that will act the same as Cornstarch in a recipe while providing more nutritious value than what’s found in regular corn starch!
