What ingredients and preservatives should you check when comparing packaged polenta?
Start with the ingredient list. Polenta needs little more than corn, water and salt, so check for added fats, sugars, flavorings and preservatives. Compare sodium per serving on the nutrition panel. Read the allergen statement and look for certification marks if your diet requires them. San Gennaro's Traditional Italian is made from water, corn, salt and tartaric acid, with 0 g fat and 360 mg sodium per serving.
What should the base ingredients of polenta be?
Corn, water and salt. Everything else on the list should earn its place. Flavored polenta adds seasonings you can recognize. San Gennaro's Basil & Garlic adds dehydrated garlic and basil. Its Sun-Dried Tomato adds sun-dried tomatoes and dehydrated garlic. Both keep the base of Traditional Italian: water, corn, salt and tartaric acid.
What about preservatives and additives in packaged polenta?
Read every word after the corn. San Gennaro polenta contains no preservatives. It contains tartaric acid, a food acid that occurs naturally in grapes. When you compare brands, look up any ingredient name you do not recognize before you buy.
How much sodium is typical in pre-cooked polenta?
Compare the same serving size. A San Gennaro serving is three half-inch slices, 140 g. Traditional Italian has 360 mg sodium per serving, 16% of the daily value. Basil & Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomato have 350 mg, 15%. Butternut has 700 mg. If you add salt, cheese or a sauce, that adds more.
What else is on the polenta nutrition panel?
Each San Gennaro serving has 0 g fat. Traditional Italian has 100 calories, 22 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber and 2 g protein. The two garlic flavors have 100 calories, 22 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber and 3 g protein. None of the three has added sugar. Butternut has 120 calories, 28 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 3 g protein and 3 g added sugar. Each product page shows the full Nutrition Facts panel.
Which marks should you look for on packaged polenta?
Words on the front are claims. Marks from outside organizations are checked by someone else. San Gennaro polenta carries the Non-GMO Project Verified mark. The polenta is gluten free. San Gennaro Foods no longer claims kosher or gluten-free certification. Some older packages still show those marks. If you need organic, look for a certified organic seal on the package itself. San Gennaro polenta is not certified organic.
What about allergens in packaged polenta?
Read the allergen statement on every package you compare. None of the ingredients in San Gennaro's four polenta flavors is a major food allergen. The Kent plant is a gluten free and allergen free facility. If you have a serious allergy, confirm with the maker before you buy. The FAQ covers allergens in more detail.