Finding out you have a food allergy can be devastating.

Finding out you have a food allergy can be devastating. I think my first thought was, "What does that mean?" You ask your doctor and he says just avoid that food. It's just a skin test. They aren't entirely accurate.

I am going to attempt to give you ideas and recipes on how to avoid corn. It can be quite the challenge.

Sorry that my blog is evolving into a little bit of everything in life.



Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Vodka and Wine (Corn Free Alcohol?)

There was a recent post on the forum where someone made the statement: " I might be able to sub out whiskey for borbon"

Sorry whiskey and bourbon are out.  They are both made from corn.  Bourbon is aged whiskey from KY.  Scotch is made from corn too.  There are a few potato vodkas.  Check the bottles at the store.  If they say grain it could be wheat or corn.  They will say potato or grape.  Ciroc Vodka made from grapes.  I found this web site:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_vodkas   Vikingfjord, Chopin, Luksusowa are brands I have seen people post here.  I have had an issue with vodka.  Not sure exactly what it is.  For me I do better with Ciroc, so I am thinking it might just be potatoes.  I do fine with sweet potatoes, different species than white potatoes.  I am growing white potatoes this year so I will be able to put my finger on whether I am truly allergic to them or not. 

As for wine I get away with Gallo Sauvignon Blanc, or Merlo.  I also try organic brands of wine.  I have tried other reds.  Sorry I haven't kept track of the brands I have drunk.  I do know that most drink wine from other countries because they are less likely to add sulfites.  Sulfites are natural occurring in wine, some manufactures add additional.  Some people are sensitive to sulfites.  Of all the things I am allergic to I don't believe sulfites are one of them. 

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

single malt scotch does not contain any corn and some blended scotch does not contain any corn either. Most western European vodkas use only wheat and most eastern European and Russian vodkas are made from potatoes. There are some United States produced varieties of vodka that do not contain any corn, but the list is limited. I have a corn allergy myself. I usually drink Ketel One because it is made from wheat.

Michelle Smith said...

Thanks, I am staying away from grains.

Anonymous said...

Any whiskeys or scotches made in Ireland or Scotland are not made with corn, but you have to be careful of blended varieties, some may contain corn alcohol (but not usually). I drink Jameson, Glenlivet, and Tullamor Dew with no problems. Ireland and Scotland both have strict rules about what can go into their alcohol. American whiskey it little better than corn mash moonshine.

Anonymous said...

Hey! Just came across this and wanted to say that I have a corn allergy too and for a long time I thought top shelf vodka's were ok... turns out they're usually made from wheat, corn and potatoes (I'm also gluten intolerant). If you want to stick with vodka you can find 100% pure potato vodkas - I bought mine imported from Poland. Hope that helps!

Anonymous said...

portland potato vodka

http://www.eastsidedistilling.com/our-spirits/portland-potato-vodka/

Unknown said...

Thanks a lot guys. I also suffer from a corn allergy and having a hard time finding an alcohol without corn and i drink vodka. I will check kettle one out.

Michelle Smith said...

Thanks for you post. Makes me feel good that I can help someone!

Anonymous said...

In reply to Anonymous above, I shop at one of those huge liquor stores, and they have very few potato vodkas. Surprisingly, almost all the Russian, Polish and otherwise Eastern European vodkas that I see there are made from grain. there are a few lists on the internet, and there are not that many potato vodkas. Not from Russia, not from Poland. Not from anywhere. Most of the wheat-free ones from the USA use corn...

I am allergic to both wheat and corn, so I buy Lukosawa -- which I use to make my vanilla extract with, by the way. For me, it is fine, and not expensive.

Anonymous said...

Any "kosher for passover" wine or alcohol won't contain any corn. Brands of wine -- bartenura, terrenial, sara bee, kedem, rashi, ben ami, baron herzog... I can go on and on. Look for a kosher symbol with a 'P' next to it. Such as OU p ('U' inside an 'O' and a little 'p' next to it).

Anything that is kosher for passover is by definition corn free and most kosher wine companies have their product kosher for passover year round.

For hard alcohol, there are guides as to what is permissible for passover and therefore corn-free. I don't have a link, but search 'kosher for passover liquor" and a bunch of sites will pop up. They are updated yearly so choose the most recent. Passover occurs around March or April each year.

No beer is kosher for passover.

To receive a kosher for passover certification, guidelines are extremely strict. HOWEVER, that may not include cross-contamination and so on. The item just may not contain any corn or corn derivative, or possibly be contaminated with corn at all.

Anonymous said...

Dose anyone know if the Circo flavored vodka contains corn?

konobaby said...

Ciroc is made from grapes.

Anonymous said...

Do you happen to know the single malt that is corn free? I'm a Jack Daniels girl at heart and I'm just bumming without my Jack. I've been drinking the Luke brand, darn autocorrect won't let me spell it. It's red labeled Russian potato vodka. Does that have corn in it?

Anonymous said...

i believe u mean luksosowa... its a polish vodka and no its corn free, pure potato, have tried it also, great stuff!

Anonymous said...

Tullamore Dew definitely has corn in it. I don't think single malt scotches do, but other Irish whiskies like Jameson are dodgy on the subject.

Unknown said...

Thank you!! This Is Great info. I recently found out I have corn allergy. Taya

Cathy of Duluth, MN said...

Very helpful for me today! Thank you. I've made myself a Hendricks Gin and Diet Tonic with some Pure Maple Syrup and lime. I'll let you know how it feels. I am trying to stay away from corn as it causes inflammation systemically. I am low gluten and am hoping my cheeks and nose won't turn so red if I keep them out of my beverage.

Deb said...

I recently found out I am allergic to corn. I ate a granola bar and my throat and ears were very itchy. I went for allergy testing and this is what came back positive. I also get very painful migraines which I hope will be eliminated or at least not so severer once I cut out corn. I will do my best to do this but I know corn is in almost everything. I was eating granola every day for the past year.... know wonder I was in pain.!!!

Michelle Smith said...

I'm not having migraines anymore Good luck

Unknown said...

Good stuff from all of you!!! I too just found about being allergic to corn. Don't realize how much stuff uses corn until you need to know!!!

Anonymous said...

A little less then a year ago I found out I was allergic to corn. I had already been off gluten for over six months, and although there was some improvement initially I continued to have problems. So my doctor did an allergy test and I had a high positive test for corn. I think it was double what the max should be. After getting rid of a bunch of food that contained wheat products, I turned around and did a bunch more of getting rid of anything with corn. After a few months I reintroduced wheat, and have found that as long as there is no corn and no corn by-products I do farely well. I still get sick and someone said maybe I should investigate the alcohol I drink, since I only consume vodka or wine. My research has shown that most vodkas if made with corn say so, and others that are made with grain tend to be wheat products, but I still think I need to know what does "Grain" mean. My thinking is to do a home test of trying a vodka that I know is corn based and to see if the effects are bad. Some research shows that the distilling process changes the chemical structure and so it shouldn't matter where the alcohol is derived from, but then other research says differently. All I know is I don't want to be consuming something that makes me physically ill if I can avoid it.
I don't think there is enough research on corn allergy, not to mention it is not considered an allergen that needs to be reported on food products. For anyone who has a corn allergy, I recommend staying away from all processed food. Avoid all fast food and if you eat at a restaurant ask a lot of questions about how they prepare their food. Is the ranch dressing homemade or do they use a packet? I have found that almost all condiments contain corn or a corn derivative. The two things I see the most are dextrose and Xanthan Gum. If you are really sensitive as I am the two even in small amounts will make you quite ill.
My hope is that I will learn more and see more posts on peoples findings, and if I can add to the findings I will.

Anonymous said...

Natural flavors CAN be made using corn. Not sure if artificial flavors are also.

Unknown said...

Tequila!!!!

Unknown said...

I just recently found out that I am allergic to corn. I was a big bourbon and scotch drinker. I went on a illumination diet from my doctor. When I introduce corn back I had flu like symptoms and horrible stomach pains. I was in bed for 2 days.
I miss my bourbon and scotch. I have read this feed and it seems like there is conflicting stuff. Is there a source that has exactly what liquors have corn?
So dextrose and xanthan gum is corn?

Michelle Smith said...

Sorry you're allergic to corn. The alcohol lists on the bottle what it's make from. Bourbon is made from corn. I don't know much about scotch but I thought it was also made from corn.
Dextrose and can than gum are from corn.

Anonymous said...

Dextrose does not have to be made from corn, but usually is in the US

w8in4dave said...

I'm in the US. And am celiac and corn intolarant, I say allergic ! I'm over any crap! I eat natural food I am wanting a vodka that is gluten free, oh let's just say grain free! That's where I am at!

Michelle Smith said...

Cheers to either Ciroc plain made from grapes or Vikingfjord made from potatoes!

Anonymous said...

My daughter got me on your website and love it. I am not necessarily allergic - but so intolerant that I just as well be allergic. My main system is awful diarrhea. Intolerant to corn, dairy and eggs. And throw IBS in there. Makes eating and drinking quite difficult. was told that corn is actually a grain and not a vegetable - any truth to that? If so, if the bottle lists grain as an ingredient, it could include corn. Just wondering - thought I would toss it out there.

Carol

Michelle Smith said...

Thanks for the complement. I just jumped on here to help others. 6 years ago I lost 20 pounds looking for food. I now have sourced local beef. I have chickens for eggs. I grow a garden every year. Until this years starts I am down to sweet potatoes and green beans. I don't know if I added to the blog that I started grilling oiled sweet potato slices. Its another option than baked and roasted.
As far as alcohol, I don't trust anything that just says grain. Your best with potato vodka, it says on the bottle. I am ok with wine. I drink wine mainly. Gallo Pinot Grigio or Bella Sera. Whiskey is out.

Michelle Smith said...

I just had another thought this morning. If your having IBS issues be sure to see your doctor and rule out any internal issues. At 50 it's recommended that you have a colonoscopy. My step mother didn't. Now at 70 she's having chemo because of colon cancer. Be careful.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the helpful information, I too have a corn alergy as well as an alergy to yeast and malt. Unfortunately my favorite is beer. Any hope for me?

Michelle Smith said...

Not sure

Unknown said...

There are so many different products made from corn. Dextrose is usually corn and modified food starch often uses corn also. Maltodextrin and xantham gum too.

truerinman said...

I have a corn allergy as well. As soon as I cut out corn from my diet my migraines all but disappeared and I no longer have any bowel or tummy issues.

Unknown said...

What about Triple Sec? Research says it is made from cane sugar but I assume that it could be mixed with anything!!!? I feel most brands of Tequila are okay....but maybe not? How can one know for sure? Thanks for any reply! I had a really weird reaction a mix of Tequila, Triple Sec and Pear Juice...it was delicious but I'm only on week one of my elimination (corn was a SEVERE allergy) and had terrible gastric upset, my joints hurt this AM and I almost drown in my own mucus last night! (Sorry TMI!)I'd say that is a pretty significant reaction...guess I had better try things one at a time? Thanks!

Unknown said...

This post is from a long time ago so I’m hoping you know this already but Bud Light / Heineken & Amstel Light are all corn free. I was SOOOOO happy when I figured this out with this lovely pain in the ass corn allergy. :)

Anonymous said...

Absolut vodka is very easy to find here in the U.S. and it's a perfect choice for corn allergy sufferers because it's much more affordable than Grey Goose and it's made in Sweden with winter wheat. I had always thought that Skyy vodka (now owned by Campari) is also made from wheat...until I recently learned it is derived from corn. Have a great summer everyone :)

Unknown said...

I just learned Bud is wheat free too. It’s made with barley. That’s as far as I have gotten. I just found out I’m allergic to wheat, corn, soy, milk, tree nuts, egg whites, shell fish, cod, oh the list goes on. I’m trying to find out if wine has any grain in it.

Popular Posts