Corn-free deliciously: corn may be an ideal alternative to gluten-containing grains, but it can also be surprisingly addictive, causing cravings and weight gain.(GO GLUTEN FREE: FOOD)

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When Kimberly Knost, a 53-year-old mother and office worker, began a gluten-free diet more than a year ago, the acid reflux pain in her stomach went away. She began substituting corn products, the easy alternative to gluten-containing wheat products. But new problems emerged. "When I started eating corn tortillas, corn chips, popcorn, or cornbread, it was hard for me to stop," says Kimberly. "I craved them, kept eating them, got very bloated in my abdomen, and gained weight."

After watching the documentary King Corn, Kimberly learned more. "I had no idea that corn is in practically every food in the U.S. food system and it's a big reason why Americans are so fat. After seeing that movie, I have tried to be very careful with my diet."

Today, Kimberly mostly avoids corn to keep her eating habits and weight in control and buys more grass-fed meat. When she does eat corn, she goes out of her way to make sure it is not genetically modified and tries to have cut corn, which is less addictive to her than cornmeal or corn-flour products.

Carefully Considering Corn

Kimberly is one of a growing number of gluten-free eaters who find that even though corn is gluten-free, it cannot be eaten with abandon. Corn is a high-carbohydrate, high-glycemic (blood sugar-spiking) food, and as King Corn shows, corn in excess can fatten us up just as it fattens up cattle. Two other issues: the production of commercial corn uses a lot of pesticides; and about half of the corn in our food supply is genetically engineered.

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