Some common food items that contain gluten are:
Breads and Baked Goods
- Many breads and baked goods are made with wheat flour, which contains gluten. This includes:
- Bagels
- Croissants
- Muffins
- Pastries
- Donuts
- Gluten is what gives these items their fluffy texture and helps them rise when baked.
Pasta
- Traditional pasta is made from wheat flour, so it naturally contains gluten. This includes:
- Spaghetti
- Fettuccine
- Macaroni
- Lasagna noodles
- Gluten helps give pasta its chewy texture.
Cereals
- Some cereals contain gluten as they are made with wheat, barley, or rye. Common gluten-containing cereals include:
- Wheat-based cereals like Wheaties and Cheerios
- Barley-based cereals like barley flakes
- Rye-based cereals like rye flakes
- Gluten can be found in the grains used to make these cereals.
Soups and Sauces
- Many canned or packaged soups and sauces contain gluten as a thickening agent. This includes:
- Cream-based soups
- Gravy
- Soy sauce
- Gluten helps thicken these products and enhance their flavor.
Snack Foods
- Some snack foods may contain gluten due to the ingredients used in their production. This includes:
- Pretzels
- Potato chips (flavored varieties)
- Crackers
- Gluten can be added to these snack foods for flavor or texture.
Beer and Other Alcoholic Beverages
- Beer is typically made from barley, which contains gluten. Other alcoholic beverages that may contain gluten include:
- Whiskey
- Vodka (unless specifically labeled gluten-free)
- Some flavored liquors
- The gluten in these beverages comes from the grains used in their production.
Processed Meats
- Some processed meats may contain gluten as fillers or flavor enhancers. This includes:
- Sausages
- Deli meats
- Meatballs
- Gluten can be added to these meats during processing.
Desserts
- Many desserts contain gluten due to the ingredients used in their preparation. This includes:
- Cakes
- Cookies
- Brownies
- Pies
- Gluten is often found in the flour used to make these sweet treats.
Other Foods
- Gluten can also be found in unexpected places, such as:
- Salad dressings
- Marinades
- Seasoning mixes
- Always check labels carefully to ensure these products are gluten-free.