Quick Question - I have been scoped...

[Knoppie 0]

I was always told that xanthan gum is derived from corn, now i recently read that the original source can be wheat? this confused me a bit.Or is the xanthan gum from wheat not used in foods??

ps. I'm very sensitive so this would be something i would need to look out for

[Hornet 1]

From my research xanthan gum gum can come from soy, corn or seaweed. It most often comes from soy but not listed as an ingredient. The only way to find out is by calling the manufacturer for the info. I have a soy issue and found this out the hard way. Be very diligent in checking out all ingredients and don't assume they are gluten or soy free if it is hidden in ingredients. Good luck and read all labels carefully!

[Knoppie 0]

From my research xanthan gum gum can come from soy, corn or seaweed. It most often comes from soy but not listed as an ingredient. The only way to find out is by calling the manufacturer for the info. I have a soy issue and found this out the hard way. Be very diligent in checking out all ingredients and don't assume they are gluten or soy free if it is hidden in ingredients. Good luck and read all labels carefully!

thanks, i looked it up and multiple sources say wheat, i will be checking it from now on

[Gemini 836]

From my research xanthan gum gum can come from soy, corn or seaweed. It most often comes from soy but not listed as an ingredient. The only way to find out is by calling the manufacturer for the info. I have a soy issue and found this out the hard way. Be very diligent in checking out all ingredients and don't assume they are gluten or soy free if it is hidden in ingredients. Good luck and read all labels carefully!

Xanthan gum is safe for Celiacs. If it were derived from wheat, I believe it would have to be listed in parenthesis next to the xanthan gum. I have never seen xanthan gum listed as a questionable ingredient in any Celiac based literature, including Celiac organizations. Xanthan gum can have a laxative effect on people and this is what can confuse people into thinking they have ingested gluten. It is not a cause for worry, from a gluten point of view.

[justlisa 29]

I've been researching xantham and guar gums... Have to say that it sounds absolutely disgusting (a "mold" derived on the surface of corn (etc) for the purpose gluten replacement)...

Can't see myself using it...which is a shame/dilemma since most of the gluten free baking recipes I find use them...

[kareng 2,144]

I've been researching xantham and guar gums... Have to say that it sounds absolutely disgusting (a "mold" derived on the surface of corn (etc) for the purpose gluten replacement)...

Can't see myself using it...which is a shame/dilemma since most of the gluten free baking recipes I find use them...

Do you eat mushrooms? They are a fungus grown on dead and decaying things.

I saw a show talking about Xantham gum the other day that said the spores live an veggies, naturally, so you probably eat some with out realizing it.

[sa1937 324]

Both xanthan and guar gums are used in a lot of products, including some salad dressings and ice cream for example. We've probably been consuming them for years without really knowing what they are. I never read labels like I do now.

[justlisa 29]

I used to eat mushrooms...haven't brought them back yet though... Also, mushrooms are naturally occurring where the gums were created in a lab, right?

Sa1937... Yeah, I see that...now that I'm looking...and grosses me out...

[sa1937 324]

I used to eat mushrooms...haven't brought them back yet though... Also, mushrooms are naturally occurring where the gums were created in a lab, right?

Sa1937... Yeah, I see that...now that I'm looking...and grosses me out...

Gums are created in a lab. And when you really get into label reading, it's amazing that so many chemicals and unknown ingredients are added to processed foods. Hope you plan to do a lot of from-scratch cooking using only fresh ingredients!!!

[IrishHeart 1,640]

If anyone is game, here is some hefty reading about X-gum It is not as "dense" as it appears...just read through it and it is pretty interesting!

It is used in just about everything, including cosmetics. You are probably not even aware of it all--unless you become avid label readers like we all have to be!

It can be grown on wheat, corn, soy, dairy, or synthetically in a lab. Many foods and food additives/stabilizers are cultured this way...... but the point is....it is not going to cause a "gluten issue" in anyone. Thank goodness---or all of our baked goods would collapse.

http://130.15.85.243/courses/CHEE342/outline/documents/xanthanreview.pdf

[justlisa 29]

Gums are created in a lab. And when you really get into label reading, it's amazing that so many chemicals and unknown ingredients are added to processed foods. Hope you plan to do a lot of from-scratch cooking using only fresh ingredients!!!

I am trying to stick, primarily, to whole foods... But, in order to avoid a mutiny, I am collecting some recipes and supplies for baking... I just can't see myself putting in any of the "gums"...at least not yet...talk to me after I've had a few dozen flops, though, and I might have to re-think it (the kid's missing some of his goodies).

[auzzi 5]

Commercial yeast are fungi or mould grown in a laboratory .. Sourdough, the alternative, captures wild yeast or fungal spores that exist in the environment...

[sa1937 324]

I am trying to stick, primarily, to whole foods... But, in order to avoid a mutiny, I am collecting some recipes and supplies for baking... I just can't see myself putting in any of the "gums"...at least not yet...talk to me after I've had a few dozen flops, though, and I might have to re-think it (the kid's missing some of his goodies).

It's a good idea to stick to whole foods when you're first diagnosed...you certainly don't have to read a lot of labels with strange ingredients for that.

If you're wanting to make bread, now that get's into a whole new ballgame. Sandwich bread, for example, will be crumbly and fall apart without the addition of gums to try to replicate the elasticity of gluten (usually xanthan or guar gum). You might want to look into the Chebe mixes, which are based on tapioca flour/starch and no gums. Or possibly someone has gluten-free bread recipes that don't use gums. I've never baked without them but am not saying it's impossible given the right recipe.

So what goodies are "the kid" missing? We don't need a mutiny!!!

[justlisa 29]

Sa1937... I was told by the royal offspring, "just 'stuff', mom...there's no food...(grumble)...

I'm going to try a few recipes I found online (a couple in here)...

Chocolate cake (made with black beans)

Coconut-blueberry muffins

Flat bread (easy recipe using coconut flour)

[sa1937 324]

Sa1937... I was told by the royal offspring, "just 'stuff', mom...there's no food...(grumble)...

I'm going to try a few recipes I found online (a couple in here)...

Chocolate cake (made with black beans)

Coconut-blueberry muffins

Flat bread (easy recipe using coconut flour)

Poor baby! I'd miss some "just stuff", too. LOL You might want to use the google button on the top right hand corner of the page and search for snack ideas. We've had a few threads on that recently. General Mills also makes Fruit Roll-Ups that are gluten-free. How about ice cream (obviously you need to read the ingredient listing) or popsicles?

Your recipes sound good although I've personally not tried coconut flour (like...do I really need to buy one more kind of flour).

Not knowing if he has other food intolerances, this is a good recipe for flourless Peanut Butter Cookies that takes only 3 ingredients. Now I'm hungry for them and may have to make some today.

Edit: Also there are a number of Chex cereal recipes that are gluten-free.

Edited July 28, 2012 by sa1937

[bartfull 569]

Biscuits don't require gums. After you've been away from bread for a while, even biscuits make a good sandwich. They make a good dessert (shortcake), and they make a fine breakfast instead of english muffins.