Hidden Sources of Gluten from the Experts--Gluten Free People Like You
Since going gluten and casein free I have done everything I knew how to avoid these sneaky little proteins. But even after careful research and label inspections of the foods I eat, I am still occasionally shocked by some of the unexpected sources.
A few months ago I was shocked to learn that many wines are fined with casein. And just last week I learned that some teas are not gluten-free.
When I posed the question to gluten-free people like you and me via Twitter, I was amazed by some of these very unsuspecting sources of gluten:
Beano has gluten. -@NANCYEMILLS
Weirdest gluten source: as a carrier for mono- and di-glycerides in heavy cream. I found out the hard way. -@othergretchen
On a piece of grilled chicken. The chef didn't declare it because it was "only used to keep it from sticking to the grill." -@ChristianPlante
It's in some lipsticks. And in envelope glue (don't lick 'em). -@GeekPornGirl
For me it was finding out that my lipstick was what was accidentally glutening my hubby. -@MelissaMeek
Emerald brand honey roasted peanuts. -@pinkraygun
In a box of lentils that had "flour" as an ingredient . . . lentils don't need flour so I don't understand. I also found "gluten" as an ingredient just now in an old bottle of Vitamin C. -@S_Shan_Shan
Pancake syrup . . . Mrs. Butterworth's. Barley malt flavoring is included in "natural flavors". -@kbouldin
Honestly? Twizzlers. I can't for the life of me figure out why they have wheat flour in them. -@jesh
I don't understand why there is gluten in licorice. But the most frustrating was when they added wheat to Lays BBQ chips, because it wasn't there before. -@CeliacMom
Chocolate chips (wish I could remember the brand). They made me so sick and I had no idea. You live, you learn. -@LifeProsper
In a fruit smoothie at Starbucks. -@mlvlatina
Unfortunately, eating gluten-free, careful as you may be can always be an experiment of sorts. After I was glutened on our cross-country drive to North Carolina, a quick online search for "Garden of Eatin', gluten" was all I needed to confirm that I, like others had been glutened by the chips which are supposedly gluten-free, but not specifically tested for gluten.
My advice is to always ask. Having a smart phone with instant online access helps, so while shopping you can run a quick search to see if others have complained about a food containing hidden gluten. Stick with the brands that have reputations for high quality, gluten-free products, if a company has a large gluten-free following, chances are they take precautions to be sure not to lose those loyal customers.
If all else fails, you can always pose the question on Twitter!
Click here to follow Gluten Free Fox on Twitter.
Posted 7/28/09 by Kristen Campbell, co-founder of GlutenFreeFox.com (learn more about Kristen Campbell)
