Does Anyone Else Have Trouble With Popcorn?

[LJCurly9]

This may be a general digestion issue to even those without Celiacs...but my mom (also a Celiac) and I were talking about how we feel after we eat popcorn and the likes. Obviously I understand that gas and bloating could occur as the food is filled with air...but as far as stomach pains and nausea go, it's the same as a gluten reaction. It doesn't really matter if it's air popped from just kernels or if it's from a bag.

Has anyone else had a similar issue?

[Canadian Karen]

Hi!

I avoid popcorn at all costs. My problem is not with bloating/gas when I eat popcorn, but I have an incredibly difficult time digesting it. The hard pieces of the kernal (particularly the opened kernels, you know the ones that have the shape of ladybug wings??) really hurt my intestines going through.... I can feel them "grinding" their way down....

Have a great day!

Karen

[darlindeb25]

popcorn doesnt bother me at all, but it used to--weird huh--now like karen--my dad cant have popcorn because of the hulls, he has diverticulitus along with celiacs---now today, i made cornbread and i knew i used to have corn flour and i couldnt find it, now i know why--my tummy has so much pressure in it right now--i bet i threw out the corn flour--the cornbread is very good, but my tummy doesnt like it now darn--its so good too, i am gonna make cronbread stuffing tomorrow for our family christmas--guess i wont eat it deb

[judy05]

I don't think all popcorn is gluten-free. I know Act 11 is, I eat it and it doesn't

bother me.

[celiac3270]

I haven't had any popcorn since starting the gluten-free diet 10 months and two days ago , but I always had trouble with it before hand--it would get me sick. I don't think it was any gluten, because I could eat a bagel every morning without severe reaction--I think it's just that it's hard to digest.

[MySuicidalTurtle]

I have a problem with popcorn and corn on the cob and get really sick. I think it's just harder to digest.

[kactuskandee]

I too believe it is the hulls that make it so hard to digest. It is the hardest form of corn there is, and as most of you know, if you eat whole kernel corn (a different variety) it often goes through the digestive tract undigested.

I love the stuff, but like Deb's dad, my GI forbid me to eat it because of the diverticulosis. Because I have IBS too, it doesn't set well.

However, it is NOT fun going to the movies taking rice cakes along because you can't have the popcorn!!

[Guest PastorDave]

I haven't heard of this at all before. My mom, who was not diagnosed for years (I'm glad she was, or I probably wouldn't know I had it) when she was the GI said her intestines were almost smooth. Anyhow, she is a popcorn addict Whenever we are watching a movie, she pops a bag. I don't think she's ever had any problems, or else she would quit.

[rsavage]

It is possible to have a sensitivity to corn at all levels. I have not regularly consumed corn but find it makes me excessively hungry and very uncomfortable kind of like my body is trying to keep hold of nutrients. I don't know that this will help. However, I have found by process of elimination that certain things I hadn't thought of do cause me problems. Perhaps you need to double check other foods as well. Just a thought. God Bless, Royann

[lilliexx]

i have a hard time with any corn, but its probably due to the fact that it is harder to digest...but when you have a really messed up stomach you cant eat much without some kind of reaction.....

[cmom]

I can't do popcorn on an empty stomach, but if I've had something to eat maybe three hours before, it doesn't seem to bother me.

[Maggie1956]

I have a lot of trouble with popcorn. I love the hot, buttered kind, but if I eat it, I get really bad pain which doubles me over.

Also can't eat corn niblets and peas together, but the corn seems ok on it's own if it's just boiled niblets.

[flagbabyds]

Make sure you are eating gluten-free popcorn because most microwave ones aren't gluten-free, they add stuff and flavorings, the only ones that i can have that I know are gluten-free are Oriville Redebachers(sp?)

[DrLeonard]

how about popcorn at the movies? anybody know if that's ever safe?

I've had the same reactions to popcorn but not consistently. Feels almost as bad as a gluten reaction but not quite the same. It's good to know I'm not the only one...thanks for mentioning it.

[Guest gfinnebraska]

Someone above was talking about not being able to eat movie popcorn ~ MOST movie popcorn has gluten ~ makes me VERY sick. I avoid any popcorn that is mass popped in one of those "movie type" poppers. It uses an orange oil+butter mixture that has gluten. I have worked in enough concession stands (sports related) to know that it is full of gluten. AVOID movie popcorn!! Sorry!!

[angel-jd1]

I avoid popcorn because of diverticulitis. It is a condition in which pockets form in your intenstines. Food such as popcorn gets trapped in those pockets and can be very painful!! Other things such as nuts, seeds, some vegetables and fruits can also cause the pain. I am not sure if any of you have this condition, but it might be something to think about.

-Jessica

[lovegrov]

Microwave popcorn -- Over three years I've checked pretty much every major brand microwave popcorn and every single one except one super butter flavor of one brand (I don't remember the brand) has been gluten-free. Pop Secret, Act II, Kroger, Paul Newman -- all gluten-free. Microwave popcorn is in fact almost universally free of gluten (except corn gluten, which doesn't matter for us).

Movie theater popcorn -- Every time I've been able to fully check a theater popcorn it has been gluten-free. Without exception. The best selling topping for popcorn is called Flavacol and every single one of their toppings is gluten-free, according to the company. Popping oils are also gluten-free. I certainly can't say that ALL theater popcorns are gluten-free, but I'm still looking for my first.

richard

[terri]

I eat popcorn at the movie theatre but always get it plain without the butter sauce. It's been fine. At home I make popcorn with an air popper and either spray it with butter flavor Pam or with I Can't Believe it's Not Butter spray. Works for me!

[Guest gfinnebraska]

Thanks Richard! I can always count on your knowledge!! NOW, the question is, what is making me sick??? I get VERY sick when I eat movie popcorn. Hmm... is there real butter? I didn't think so. I should know not to assume gluten when it could possible be another trigger. Thanks again!!

[lovegrov]

If you've gotten sick eating popcorn at different places then there's definitely something else going on. If it's the same place, you need to check it out thoroughly.

I go to one theater that uses real butter.

richard