Hidden Gluten
We know there is gluten in bread and pasta, but did you know gluten can be in licorice or chapstick? Many items have wheat/gluten on the label, but these items can often be overlooked for gluten and not checked. Always check labels. When I was first diagnosed with celiac, I did not know much about what gluten is. Like many, I thought I was just going to end up cutting out a lot of carbs, which I did, but there was so much more that went into it.
Items that you should be aware of when cutting gluten out of your diet:
Certain candies: Some candies you expect, like a Kit Kat bar, but also look out for candies like licorice, sour punch and gummy bears.
Soy sauce: Soy sauce is a sneaky one. Soy Sauce itself has gluten in it, but then you also have to be careful of soy sauce being added into other dishes. It is common in marinades. Tamari is a great alternative!
Chapstick: This one surprised me but it’s true. Gluten can be found in chapstick. If you are super sensitive to gluten, you want to watch out for this. Though you are not directly eating it, because there is a possibility of licking your lips, there is a chance of it going into your body.
Flavored alcohol: Though many types of alcohol are gluten free from the distillery process, flavors being added after do not always make it gluten free. This one is harder to find on the label and often needs to be researched more on their website.
French fries: This one was a hard one to accept. Though potatoes themselves are naturally gluten free, seasonings or what they are fried in can have gluten. Always check seasonings, and stay away from beer battered fries. If you are eating out, always confirm that the fryer being used is a dedicated gluten free fryer and gluten is not going in. Example: fried chicken, fried pickles, corn dogs.
Jelly and peanut butter in your house: If your household does not follow a gluten free diet and everyone uses the same jelly and peanut butter as you, you should look into getting your own. Crumbs going into the product can contaminate it for you.
Gravy: gluten can be used as a thickener in things like gravy, soup, dressing and dips.
These are just a few things that have gluten. Gluten can be hidden in many things. Google can be a huge resource, and though you should not believe everything you read on the internet, you can usually find some truth on the web. If you are out eating, always be upfront about your restrictions. If you have celiac, say it. People will work with you to find something that will work. No one in that restaurant wants you to get sick. Ask for what you need to feel comfortable, and once you have your safe places, it makes things easier.
Main Photo: Zachary Alexander