Typically, consumption leads to stomach cramps, bloating, excessive nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

With an intolerance test from Medicross, you can easily perform a test for possible intolerances from home using a hair sample. You can send a few strands of your hair by mail. This sample is analyzed by our laboratory and evaluated within a short time. You will then receive an easy-to-understand report that provides insight into any intolerances. This way, you can adjust your diet specifically to no longer suffer from the effects of a starch intolerance.

The Causes of Starch Intolerance

Carbohydrates, that is sugar and starch, are the main energy source for our body. There are three types of carbohydrates: monosaccharides (simple sugars), disaccharides (two sugar units), and polysaccharides (complex multiple sugar units). Special enzymes are required to break down the more complex carbohydrates for digestion, while simple sugars are absorbed directly from the intestine into the blood.

If the enzymes required to break down these starches are missing, they remain in the digestive tract and cause symptoms of starch intolerance, a food intolerance. The severity of symptoms depends on the extent of the enzyme deficiency and ranges from mild bloating to severe diarrhea.

Which Foods Contain Starch?

If you suffer from starch intolerance, you should avoid the following foods due to their high starch content:

Pasta contains carbohydrates derived from starch. Pasta is a simple carbohydrate, meaning the body quickly converts it into glucose, leading to a rise in blood sugar levels. Unfortunately, simple carbohydrates do not keep you full for long, so you tend to eat more and gain excessive weight.

Potatoes contain starch. They are also simple carbohydrates that do not keep you full for long. Potatoes are often eaten with unhealthy additions like butter, sour cream, salt, and bacon bits. Popular potato dishes can have a high carbohydrate and fat content and lead to weight gain.

White rice contains starch. During the processing of white rice, the bran and germ, which contain most of the nutrients, are removed. However, rice is often enriched with some nutrients like iron and B vitamins.

White bread has an average high starch content and a low nutritional value. If you suffer from starch intolerance, you should switch to valuable alternatives.

Corn is one of the starchiest staple foods. Nevertheless, corn is a good source of fiber and important B vitamins, so when eaten in moderation, it is a healthy addition to the diet. With starch intolerance, you should switch to an alternative. Possible alternatives can be found in the following paragraph.

Alternative Foods for Starch Intolerance

In general, it is a good idea to replace white or refined starch with whole grain products whenever possible. Carbohydrates from whole grains release sugar more slowly into the blood than refined carbohydrates, making them a better alternative to foods with a relatively high starch content.

Low-starch potatoes can help reduce starch intake when eating potatoes. Alternatively, you can soak potatoes in cold water for two hours to remove some of their starch.

Whole grain pasta has a higher ratio of fiber to starch than refined pasta, making it a better choice if you want to eat less starch.

Whole grain bread and white bread have a similar carbohydrate content, but the ratio of starch to fiber is different. Whole grain bread retains the bran, germ, and endosperm, while white bread only retains the endosperm. Due to the additional bran and germ in whole grain bread, you get less starch and more fiber than in white bread.

Brown rice has more fiber than white rice, which means it makes you feel full faster and causes blood sugar levels to rise more slowly.
You can make the corresponding changes to your diet after a Medicross intolerance test . After this provides you with insight into any intolerances, you can respond accordingly and support your nutrient balance with a personalized nutrient mix .