Surprising Foods Containing Gluten (2024)

Eating a gluten-free diet means a new approach to food. A gluten-free diet often means not eating most grains, pasta, cereals, and processed foods. This is because they often contain wheat, rye, and barley. You’ll need to become an expert at reading ingredient labels on packages.

If you have been told by a healthcare provider that you have celiac disease or a gluten allergy and need to adhere to agluten-free diet, check the labels of all foods if the packages aren’t specifically labeled as gluten-free. Gluten can be found in food items you'd never suspect.

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    Foods Containing Gluten

    Here are some foods likely to contain gluten:

    • Beer, ale and lagers
    • Bouillon cubes
    • Brown rice syrup
    • Candy
    • Chips
    • Communion wafers
    • Couscous
    • Deli meats
    • Flavored coffees and teas
    • French fries
    • Gravy
    • Hot dogs, salami and sausage
    • Ice creams and gelato
    • Imitation fish
    • Matzo
    • Meat substitutes
    • Oats
    • Rice mixes
    • Rye
    • Sauces
    • Seasoned tortilla chips
    • Self-basting turkey
    • Soups
    • Soy sauce
    • Vegetables in sauce

    Watch For These Gluten Sources On Labels

    Read food labels for these terms for hidden sources of gluten:

    • Brown rice syrup
    • Einkorn
    • Emmer
    • Farina
    • Faro
    • Graham
    • Hydrolyzed wheat protein
    • Kamut
    • Malt extract
    • Semonila
    • Spelt
    • Udon
    • Wheat bran
    • Wheat berries
    • Wheat germ
    • Wheat starch

    Other Surprising Sources of Gluten

    Other non-food items that contain gluten include:

    • Prescription and over-the-counter medicines
    • Skin care products
    • Toothpaste
    • Vitamins

    Surprising Foods Containing Gluten (1)

    Surprising Foods Containing Gluten (2024)

    FAQs

    What foods surprisingly contain gluten? ›

    Surprising Foods That Contain Gluten
    • Medications and supplements. Gluten may be used as a filler or coating in medications and supplements. ...
    • Meat, fish and poultry. ...
    • Meat and fish substitutes. ...
    • Chips and fries. ...
    • Oats. ...
    • Beverages and alcohol. ...
    • Eggs at a restaurant. ...
    • Gluten-free pizza and baked goods.
    May 2, 2023

    What foods contain the most gluten? ›

    Processed foods that often contain gluten
    • Hot dogs and processed lunchmeats.
    • Salad dressings.
    • Sauces, including soy sauce (wheat)
    • Seasoned rice mixes.
    • Seasoned snack foods, such as potato and tortilla chips.
    • Self-basting poultry.
    • Soups, bouillon or soup mixes.
    • Vegetables in sauce.

    What condiments have gluten in them? ›

    Condiments such as soy sauce, barbecue sauce, mustard, and gravy are often made with gluten containing ingredients, such as wheat, wheat starch or malt flavoring. Be sure to double check ingredients on condiments and sauces or look for gluten free varieties.

    Are rice krispies gluten-free? ›

    You may think that classic Kellogg's Brand Rice Krispies are gluten-free because rice is a naturally gluten-free grain, but they are made with malt flavoring. The malt is derived from barley which is a gluten-containing grain. Therefore, they are definitely NOT gluten-free!

    Do any fruits have gluten in them? ›

    Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables are naturally gluten-free.

    What are the worst foods for gluten? ›

    In general, avoid the following foods if you have celiac disease: Cereals, breads, or other grain products that include wheat, rye, barley, or oats. This includes white or whole-wheat flour (including cookies, crackers, cakes, and most other baked goods), semolina, couscous, bread crumbs, most pastas, and malt.

    Are potatoes high in gluten? ›

    The simple answer is yes — potatoes are gluten-free. Gluten is a type of protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and other grains. Potatoes aren't grains, they're a type of starchy vegetable. That's good news for people who can't tolerate gluten because they have celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

    Are eggs high in gluten? ›

    Eggs are naturally gluten-free. Any gluten present in a hen's diet is completely broken down during the hen's digestive process, meaning there is no gluten that makes it way to the egg.

    What are unusual symptoms of gluten? ›

    People may experience the following symptoms for several hours or days after they consume gluten:
    • Abdominal pain.
    • Anemia.
    • Anxiety.
    • Bloating or gas.
    • Brain fog, or trouble concentrating.
    • Depression.
    • Diarrhea or constipation.
    • Fatigue.

    Why am I suddenly gluten intolerant? ›

    Sometimes celiac disease becomes active after surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, viral infection or severe emotional stress. When the body's immune system overreacts to gluten in food, the reaction damages the tiny, hairlike projections, called villi, that line the small intestine.

    What is often mistaken for gluten intolerance? ›

    The symptoms of gluten intolerance may also resemble those of a wheat allergy or intestinal conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Experts estimate that 10–15% of adults in the U.S. have IBS symptoms.

    Which food is most likely to contain hidden gluten? ›

    Hidden Sources of Gluten in Food
    • Salad dressings.
    • Self-basting turkey.
    • Spice mixes.
    • Stuffing.
    • Teriyaki sauce.
    • Veggie burgers.
    • Wine coolers.
    • Yeast extract.

    What spices have hidden gluten? ›

    There are two reasons why ground spices like curry powder, turmeric, paprika, and cinnamon might contain gluten: They were either contaminated in the factory, or the manufacturer added a little flour to them later to prevent caking. Most herbs and spices are safe, however, especially if they're fresh.

    What are major foods to avoid if you have a gluten intolerance? ›

    You should avoid the following foods if you're on a gluten-free diet:
    • Grains that contain gluten. Gluten is found in many grains, including: ...
    • Pasta and noodles. Avoid wheat-based pasta, including: ...
    • Packaged snacks. ...
    • Meat substitutes. ...
    • Baked goods. ...
    • Bread and pastries. ...
    • Sauces and condiments. ...
    • Drinks.

    Do some potatoes have gluten? ›

    The simple answer is yes — potatoes are gluten-free. Gluten is a type of protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and other grains. Potatoes aren't grains, they're a type of starchy vegetable. That's good news for people who can't tolerate gluten because they have celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

    Does anything naturally have gluten? ›

    “Gluten is a protein found in the wheat plant and some other grains,” explains Rajagopal. Gluten is naturally occurring, but it can be extracted, concentrated and added to food and other products to add protein, texture and flavor. It also works as a binding agent to hold processed foods together and give them shape.

    Does peanut butter have gluten? ›

    It's important to know that peanuts, peanut butter, peanut flour and peanut oil are considered naturally gluten-free foods.

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