Hidden Sources Of Gluten That No One Knows About
Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, barley and other grains, and many people have serious reactions to it, ranging from unpleasant to life-threatening. If you decide to improve your health by cutting it out of your diet, you just have to give up bread and bagels, right? Not so fast. Gluten hides in many places that you might not expect.
Fried Foods
At most restaurants, people on a gluten-free diet should steer clear of the fried items on the menu. The breading often contains wheat or other gluten-containing ingredients.
Not all fried items are breaded, but that doesn't make them gluten-friendly either. Even fries and other non-breaded foods are risky for people avoiding gluten since they are often cooked in the same fryers as gluten-rich foods. This shared oil can cause cross-contamination, so it's best to just avoid fried restaurant foods altogether.
Oats
Unlike wheat, barley and rye, oats do not naturally contain gluten. However, the oats on most store shelves cannot be considered gluten-free. They may have been grown in a field near other grains whose close proximity could have contaminated the purity of the oats. Even if the oats were grown away from other cereal crops, they may have been processed in a plant that also processes wheat or other gluten-containing foods. On a gluten-free diet, stay away from regular oats, plus granola, energy bars and other items that include oats as an ingredient.
Fortunately, many stores carry gluten-free oats that were grown and processed in safe ways. Keep in mind, however, that some people with a gluten sensitivity are also sensitive to oats.
Lipstick
No, you don't eat lipstick, but the product can still enter your system when you lick your lips. Many lipsticks and lip balms contain gluten as a binding agent or for added moisture.
These sneaky grain derivatives can show up on ingredient lists under a variety of names, and even products with no gluten-containing ingredients may be affected by cross-contamination in the factory. Look for cosmetic companies that test their products for the presence of gluten or are certified as gluten-free by an independent testing organization. While you're at it, you may feel better if you change up your lotions, soaps, foundation and other personal care products, as well.
Meat
If your meat was processed or enhanced in a factory, it could be a hidden source of gluten. Hot dogs, sausages and processed lunch meat are oftentimes big offenders, but seemingly more innocent cuts of meat may harbor gluten, too. Hams and poultry pieces may have been basted with a mixture that contains wheat. Flavorings added to cuts of meat may also contain gluten.
Vegetarian meat substitutes can be a problem for those with gluten sensitivity, as well. Many veggie burgers and faux meat crumbles include seitan, which is made from wheat.
Scrambled Eggs
No, eggs themselves do not contain gluten. Home-cooked eggs are just fine to eat on a gluten-free diet. Restaurant eggs, on the other hand, often contain secret ingredients to make them extra fluffy. Often, this secret ingredient is pancake batter, which adds a heaping helping of gluten-rich wheat flour to this otherwise innocent dish. Before ordering eggs with your breakfast hash browns, be sure to verify that what you'll be getting is pure egg and not a reaction-inducing mixture.
Sauces
Sour cream, mayonnaise, gravy and other sauces are commonly thickened with food starch to give them body. Unfortunately, labels do not always state the source of the starch, and wheat is a common one. With such condiments, it's best to always look for a "gluten-free" label. Dry mixes are no exception. Be careful with packaged gravy, dressing or seasoning mixes.
When you first eliminate gluten from your diet, you'll have to learn to be a thorough label reader. Before you know it, though, you'll be a total pro at spotting the offenders and knowing exactly what's safe to eat.
Meghan Ross is a freelance writer covering all things home and living. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
