POPSUGAR UK

11 Foods and Condiments You Thought Were Gluten-Free but Actually Aren't

25/02/2020 - 10:20 PM

If you eat a gluten-free diet [1] then you're probably well aware of the dangers that lurk behind certain foods. Wheat, rye, and barley are commonly found in foods and recipes that can make people with celiac disease or other gluten sensitivities really sick. While some foods are a lot more obvious than others, there are certain things sitting in your kitchen that you might not even know contain gluten, many of which are condiments.

Not all condiments sold in stores or provided at restaurants [2] have been modified to meet the needs of a gluten-free diet. In fact, certain condiments rely on gluten-based ingredients to give them the flavours and consistencies they're known for. Before throwing a dash of a little something onto your next meal, make sure to check the ingredients list of these 11 foods and condiments.

Soy Sauce

Since wheat is a primary ingredient in soy sauce, this condiment is not gluten-free. The good news is it isn't impossible to find brands that supplement wheat for rice. Do some research before your next grocery haul and find a soy sauce that won't make you sick.

Veggie Burgers

Many veggie burgers contain wheat and gluten ingredients, so unless it's specifically stated to be gluten-free, it's best to avoid.

Barbecue Sauce

Barbecue sauces [4] are the perfect way to flavour any meal on the grill, but they aren't gluten-free friendly. Most of the products readily available on store shelves contain vinegar derived from gluten grains and barley malt flour. Search for gluten-free sauces in stores or consider making your own from scratch instead.

Worcestershire Sauce

Not only is Worcestershire sauce tricky to pronounce, but it can be hard to ensure it's gluten-free. Most bottles of this English condiment contain wheat-based ingredients and flavours that contain gluten.

Cold Cuts

Pain meats are gluten-free, but many meats you buy pre-packaged or at the grocery store deli counter may contain gluten. This is because these meats usually contain ingredients beyond the actual meat.

Mirin

Mirin is a sweet condiment commonly served with Japanese dishes. Its main ingredient is a rice-based cooking wine, which means that it isn't gluten-free.

Soups

Many soups are made with creams or other forms of thickeners, which can contain gluten. Look at soup labels carefully before digging into a bowl.

Mayonnaise

There are a ton of brands that sell mayonnaise, but not all of them are gluten-free. Make sure to buy jars of mayo that have a gluten-free label on it to avoid buying one that will make you sick.

Salad Dressing

While there are plenty of salad dressings you can buy that are certifiably gluten-free, you still need to be careful. Many of them still contain wheat as a main ingredient as well as other elements to make them creamy. You can always make your own dressing to ensure it's perfectly healthy for a gluten-free diet.

Imitation Crab Meat

Imitation crab meat often contains starch, which makes it not gluten-free.

Wasabi

American wasabi typically isn't real wasabi. They tend to be derived of a mix of ingredients that can include wheat starch, which means this spicy condiment isn't always a safe option for those on a gluten-free diet.


Source URL
https://www.popsugar.co.uk/food/foods-that-arent-gluten-free-47253781