An iodine test will most accurately examine your fruits & veggies for starch content. While iodine testing may seem cumbersome at first, I have found it a wonderful tool to use when I’m in doubt. I feel best when my diet is no/low starch.
How To Use Iodine To Test For Starch
To test for starch, put a few drops of iodine* on a small sample of food. Wait for up to 15 minutes to see if the iodine changes color from red/orange to dark blue/black. The color change happens when the iodine comes in contact with starch. Therefore, if a sample of food turns black upon coming in contact with iodine the food contains starch.
**Never consume a sample that was in contact with iodine. Discard samples immediately.**
* Sodium iodine U.S.P 2% tincture can be found at most pharmacies and drug stores in North America.
The unofficial ‘allowable’ and ‘not allowable’ lists of food below are meant to help you explore a starch-free diet. The starch content in certain foods like apples or cauliflower can vary greatly depending on the variety, region grown, and ripening time. As such, these lists are a loose guide instead of a set of hard-fast rules.
Please note that foods like nightshades, dairy, and nuts are starch-free but can often contribute to inflammation. The best way to decide what works best for your body is to do a starch-free elimination diet.
MEDIUM STARCH FOODS
All of the foods on the list below are generally allowed on the standard Paleo diet and they can be wonderful ingredients for a person who is not sensitive to starch.
HIGH STARCH FOODS
This is a list of foods that are either high in starch or they are foods that I have found to be inflammatory for my body, but others might tolerate some of these foods just fine. Many of these ingredients can be enjoyed by a person with a healthy gut who does not have AS.