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 food surprisingly has gluten? ›

    Foods Containing Gluten
    • Beer, ale and lagers.
    • Bouillon cubes.
    • Brown rice syrup.
    • Candy.
    • Chips.
    • Communion wafers.
    • Couscous.
    • Deli meats.
    Aug 7, 2020

    What famous foods have gluten? ›

    Crackers: Popular snack foods like crackers, pretzels, and some types of chips have gluten. Beer: Beer is made from malted barley, which has gluten. Some liquors have added wheat, so be sure to research the ingredients. Gravy: Gravies and ready-meals containing gravy contain gluten.

    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.

    What food is highest in gluten? ›

    Foods made from grains, especially wheat, such as oats, bread, pasta, cereal, and pizza contain the highest amount of gluten.

    Do any fruits have gluten in them? ›

    Produce. Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables are naturally gluten-free. However, it is important to read labels on any processed fruits and veggies, as well as dried fruit and pre-prepared smoothies.

    What 3 things is gluten most found in? ›

    Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and triticale (a cross between wheat and rye).
    • Purpose. A gluten-free diet is essential for managing signs and symptoms of celiac disease and other medical conditions associated with gluten. ...
    • Diet details. ...
    • Results. ...
    • Risks. ...
    • Costs.

    What are unusual symptoms of gluten? ›

    Some people experience symptoms found in celiac disease, such as “foggy mind”, depression, ADHD-like behavior, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, bone or joint pain, and chronic fatigue when they have gluten in their diet, yet do not test positive for celiac disease.

    Do 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.

    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.

    Does peanut butter have gluten in it? ›

    It's important to know that peanuts, peanut butter, peanut flour and peanut oil are considered naturally gluten-free foods. Gluten is a form of protein found in wheat, barley and rye (2).

    Is there gluten in bacon? ›

    Is Bacon Gluten-Free? While plain bacon is naturally guten-free, some brands may contain flavorings or additives with gluten. Plain bacon is made from pork belly, spices, sugar and nitratres.

    What are the main foods that contain gluten? ›

    Foods containing gluten (not safe to eat)
    • bread.
    • pasta.
    • cereals.
    • biscuits or crackers.
    • cakes and pastries.
    • pies.
    • gravies and sauces.

    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.
    Jun 16, 2022

    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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