11 Foods That Are Surprisingly Gluten Free | Best in Gluten Free | Schär (2024)

Gluten is a type of protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Though it is one of the most difficult to digest proteins in food, for most people it passes through the digestive tract harmlessly. For those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, however, it can cause serious digestive and medical issues. The only treatment for celiac disease is to follow a gluten free diet.

When you first start the gluten free diet, you may feel as though it is very restrictive. After all, you can no longer eat most of the store-bought convenience foods you used to eat like sandwich bread, pasta, and baked goods. There are, of course, gluten free versions of most foods.

If you’re looking for a way to add some variety to your diet without falling off the gluten free wagon, you’ll be glad to know that there are plenty of gluten free foods out there just waiting for you to discover them. And some of them may come as a surprise to you!

The Top 11 Foods You Didn’t Know Were Gluten Free

Whether you’ve been following the gluten free diet for a few months or a few years, you’ve probably gotten used to questioning every food item that comes your way. Having a sensitivity, intolerance, or allergy to gluten can wreak havoc on your health if you make a mistake, so you need to be extra careful.

Fortunately, there are some naturally gluten free foods that you can add to your list without hesitation. Here are 11 foods you may be surprised to learn are usually gluten free:

  1. Potatoes – Though it may seem obvious to some, a surprisingly large number of people don’t realize that potatoes are gluten free. Because they are a starchy root vegetable and not a grain, there is absolutely no gluten content in potatoes. The same goes for sweet potatoes, which contain the most nutrients, so eat up!
  2. Buckwheat – There are a number of gluten free grains and flours out there, but many people avoid buckwheat simply because it has the word “wheat” in it. Buckwheat actually comes from the seeds of a flowering plant, so it isn’t a grain and it doesn’t contain any gluten. Plus, it has a rich, earthy flavor that works particularly well in quick breads and yeast-leavened bread.
  3. Chocolate – Though it’s certainly not the healthiest of gluten free options, many types of candy are gluten free. This applies to plain chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and even white chocolate.
  4. Potato Chips – If you’re mourning the loss of your gluten free snack foods, you’ll be glad to know that most potato chips are gluten free. Keep in mind that this applies primarily to regular potato chips, not necessarily to flavored varieties. You’ll still want to double-check the label, but most potato chips (and corn chips) do not contain gluten.
  5. Condiments – Wondering how to add some flavor to your gluten free meals? Luckily for you, many of the most popular condiments are gluten free. This applies to mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard in most cases. Just be mindful of barbecue sauces and Asian sauces that are likely to contain soy sauce derived from wheat as well as salad dressings and marinades that may be thickened with flour.
  6. Herbs and Spices – Another excellent option for spicing up your gluten free recipes is by adding natural herbs and spices. Unless they are part of a seasoning blend or gravy mix, all-natural spices and herbs are completely gluten free. Enjoy them fresh or dried for a punch of flavor!
  7. Soy Beans – Though soy sauce is often made with wheat, most soy products are naturally gluten free. Soymilk is a great dairy-free alternative for those suffering from lactose intolerance and tofu is an excellent source of protein for those following a plant-based diet. You can also enjoy other beans like black beans, chickpeas, and navy beans.
  8. Cornmeal – Though you may want to steer clear of store-bought cornbread, the primary ingredient – cornmeal – is actually gluten free. This applies to all forms of corn, actually, including polenta, grits, and cornstarch. Just be sure that it hasn’t been processed on shared equipment and that it isn’t in a product made with gluten-containing ingredients (ex: Jiffy corn muffin mix contains flour).
  9. Macarons – Looking for something sweet and indulgent to help you forget about all of the gluten free desserts you’ve given up? Good news! Macarons, those colorful French sandwich cookies, are made with almond flour and egg whites, not wheat flour! Just double-check to be sure the filling is gluten free and you’re good to go!
  10. Dairy Products – Milk is naturally gluten free, so that means that most dairy products are gluten free as well. Keep in mind that this applies to natural dairy products that have been minimally processed – things like milk, cream, and plain yogurt, even ice cream! Just remember that flavored yogurts, blue cheese, and highly processed dairy products may not be gluten free.
  11. Wheat Starch – Similar to buckwheat, many people believe that “wheat starch” has gluten in it simply because it has “wheat” in the name. However, wheat starch, has the gluten washed out of it. You might also be surprised to know that many Schär favorites are made with wheat starch.

Now that you have a whole new list of foods to add to your gluten free diet, you’re probably excited to head to the grocery store. When you do, always be sure to double-check the label to ensure that the product you’re buying is certified gluten free. Even though the 11 foods mentioned above are generally gluten free, it’s important to ensure the specific product you’re buying is gluten free. If it doesn’t carry a gluten free certification, check the allergen warning and the ingredients list to be sure.

Adding to Your Gluten Free Food List

Remember, in order for a commercial food product to carry the “gluten free” label, it needs to contain less than 20ppm gluten. If you are extremely sensitive to gluten, however, even something with a hint of gluten could cause a reaction so be careful when trying new foods. Your best bet is to shop for foods that carry a Certified Gluten Free label from the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), the Allergen Control Group (ACG), or the NSF International.

If you’re looking for gluten free versions of your favorite snacks and pantry staples, check out the Schär Gluten Free Shop for products that are certified gluten free and produced in dedicated gluten free facilities. You’re sure to find something delicious!

11 Foods That Are Surprisingly Gluten Free | Best in Gluten Free | Schär (2024)

FAQs

How to go 100% gluten-free? ›

Choose naturally gluten-free grains and flours, including rice, corn, soy, potato, tapioca, sorghum, quinoa, millet, buckwheat, cassava, coconut, arrowroot, amaranth, teff, flax, chia, yucca, bean flours, and nut flours.

What is the GFCF diet? ›

Gluten-free casein-free [GFCF] diet is an elimination diet that involves the removal of certain proteins from the normal diet, such as gluten and casein. However, studies that demonstrate the beneficial effects of the GFCF diet on ASD patients and explain its mechanism is limited, which supports the opioid theory.

Is Greek yogurt gluten-free? ›

Because milk and live active cultures are the only ingredients used, plain Greek yogurt is gluten free most of the time. Though there is always a chance of cross-contamination with gluten from other products a manufacturer produces that possibly do include gluten-containing additives.

Is cheese bad for celiac disease? ›

Generally, unless the ingredients label includes wheat, barley, rye or their derivatives, cheese should be safe. Tricia Thompson at Gluten Free Dietitian has more information on gluten in blue cheese. Brie is gluten-free. Read more about brie in Answers from a Dietitian.

Are potatoes bad for celiac disease? ›

Many foods, such as meat, vegetables, cheese, potatoes and rice, are naturally free from gluten so you can still include them in your diet. A dietitian can help you identify which foods are safe to eat and which are not. If you're unsure, you can use the following lists as a general guide.

Why gluten is avoided for autism? ›

Children with autism, according to the theory, process peptides and proteins in foods containing gluten and casein differently than other people do. Hypothetically, this difference in processing may exacerbate autistic symptoms. Some believe that the brain treats these proteins like false opiate-like chemicals.

What are the worst foods for gluten? ›

In general, avoid the following foods if you have celiac disease: Cereals, breads, or other grain products that include wheat, rye, barley, or oats. This includes white or whole-wheat flour (including cookies, crackers, cakes, and most other baked goods), semolina, couscous, bread crumbs, most pastas, and malt.

What is an unexpected source of gluten? ›

Some products like mustard and marmite usually contain gluten or in ketchup, wheat- derived vinegar may be used. Plain meat is naturally GF. However, deli meats often contain binders or flavourings which may contain gluten. Some veggie burgers and sausages contain seitan, a wheat-derived ingredient.

Is anything actually gluten-free? ›

A gluten-free diet excludes any foods that contain gluten, which is a protein found in wheat and several other grains. It means eating only whole foods that don't contain gluten, such as fruits, vegetables, meat and eggs, as well as processed gluten-free foods like gluten-free bread or pasta.

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