Beware Maltodextrin

[LauraAnn]

After trying my first “processed” food in years I got bit by an unknown to me ingredient. I cooked a frozen butterball turkey roast with gravy that said it was gluten free on the package. I don’t really like turkey, but I thought this sounded interesting. Fast forward..... up all night with racing heart and itchy hives and feel like a bus ran over me all day. No D, but just the opposite today. I put on my detective hat and found that the gravy had Maltodextrin in it. Looked it up on google and I had a classic reaction to this additive. It is not our friend and is found in almost ALL processed foods.

No more shortcuts for me for awhile. Just wanted everyone to know what is lurking out there that can hurt you.

Be well all!

[Gabes-Apg]

Laura-Ann did you double check the ingredients of the turkey

majority of the ones here in Aus, have things like citric acid, yeast, soy origin flavourings etc to help the skin go brown.

albeit, it is super sad that a small amount of one evil ingredient can wreck a nice meal!!!

[LauraAnn]

Hi Gabe’s! The only questionable thing on the actual turkey was “natural flavors”. Had water, salt, and modified food starch. who knows?! Doesn’t matter anyway because I’m not going down that road ever again. I will just continue to be vigilant and cook what I like and know.

I have been able to add a bite or two of chicken back in the mix, so I am happy with that. Didn’t like turkey to start with so it’s okay.

[tex]

"Modified food starch" can be made (and has been made) from most grains over the years, including wheat. I believe the current convention in the U.S. is that it is made from corn unless specified otherwise on the label. The problem is, the source isn't required to be specified on the label, so unless it's voluntarily stated, we can't be absolutely sure. "Natural flavors" is in a similar situation. It's often safe, but it can include virtually anything. I almost always avoid it because, unless the source is specified, it's often soy-based, and it can even include wheat derivatives.

Tex

[LauraAnn]

Hi Tex! Thank you for confirming what I suspected about certain additives. I have gotten good at creating all my meals without using weird stuff that I don’t know what it is. Since I have been more active and out of the house more I thought I would look for some short cuts in the kitchen to save time. That is not to be....good thing I actually like to cook because I’m just going to stick with tried and true stuff. There is plenty of good and easy meals to be had without short cutting it!