Gluten is a kind of glue that helps food to keep its shape and stay together, so you find it in grains like wheat and pasta. While gluten is a useful ingredient, it can cause issues for those with gluten sensitivities and celiac diseases.
Gluten is a tricky ingredient that can hide in plain sight. And this can cause problems for those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivities. You're probably familiar with the obvious foods that contain gluten, such as bread, baked goods, crackers, and pasta. But gluten is hiding in a lot of products that you might not expect. For instance, you might find gluten in some personal care products.
People with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity should avoid ingredients like wheat, rye, and barley. Some people with celiac disease are sensitive to oats, too. But there are some other surprising products to avoid that contain gluten.
1. Chewing Gum
While you might not associate chewing gum with gluten, it's in there. Several manufacturers use wheat flour in their ingredients. For example, Wrigley's Hubba Bubba Gummi Tape contains wheat flour, so it's not gluten free. Since gum manufacturers don't have to disclose allergens other than wheat, it's almost impossible to know for sure if their products contain gluten.
Before popping another stick of gum in your mouth, call the manufacturer or check their website to see if gluten is in their gum. If you can't find the answer, chew known gluten-free brands such as:
2. Medications
According to the BMC Systematic Reviews, over-the-counter and prescription medications may contain inactive ingredients that have gluten or are gluten-contamination. Examples of inactive ingredients are binders, dyes, preservatives, and flavorings. Drug manufacturers aren't required to list allergens on the packaging or where they are sourced. This makes it challenging to know for sure which drugs are gluten free.
Before taking a new medication, look for the inactive ingredient list on the back of the package or the package insert. According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, if you see any of the following ingredients, the medication may not be gluten free:
- Caramel coloring
- Dextrates
- Dextrimaltose
- Dextrin
- Modified starch
- Pre-gelatinized starch
When in doubt, contact the drug manufacturer. You can also check out more about the drug through reputable sources, like MedlinePlus.
3. Tea
Tea is just a blend of botanicals and water, right? Not always. Some herbal tea manufacturers add barley malt for flavor. For example, gluten used to be in four of Yogi Tea's herbal blends until 2017.
According to an FDA survey on gluten in white and green tea, gluten was present in eight of twenty teas. To make sure your tea doesn't contain gluten, stick with unflavored, loose leaf tea. Many companies list on their website which teas are gluten free. To be on the safe side, do your research before buying.
4. Cosmetic and Dental Products
Most people don't mind if their makeup contains gluten. However, it's problematic if you have celiac disease and are sensitive to even small amounts of gluten protein.
The Mayo Clinic reports that, in general, gluten in make-up isn't a concern for people with celiac disease unless you swallow it. This makes any gluten in make-up concerning because it's easy to get a smidgen of foundation or blush on your lips that may be swallowed. Since you apply lipstick to your lips, your risk of ingesting some is high. Therefore, you should avoid any cosmetic or dental products containing gluten ingredients.
To avoid gluten in cosmetics and dental products, search the internet for gluten free makeup products and dental products. Read the ingredients on the packaging before buying cosmetics from your favorite store. According to Nadine Grzeskowiak, RN, BSN, CEN, if you see any of these words, the product contains gluten:
- Avena sativa
- Dextrin
- Hydrolyzed barley protein
- Hydrolyzed malt extract
- Hydrolyzed oat flour
- Hydrolyzed wheat protein
- Maltodextrin
- Secale cereale
- Tocopherol acetate
- Triticum aestivum
- Triticum vulgare
- Wheat amino acids
- Wheat germ
- Wheat protein
- Yeast extract
5. Fast Food and Frozen French Fries
Potatoes are gluten-free, but French fries and sweet potato fries may not be. That satisfying crisp you love when you bite into a fry is often thanks to a coating of flour or batter. Some restaurants season fries with spices that contain gluten.
Fries that aren't coated or seasoned may still be contaminated if they're not fried in a dedicated fryer. Most restaurants, especially fast-food establishments, use fryers for a variety of breaded foods that are full of gluten, such as breaded chicken nuggets and mozzarella sticks. As a result, cross-contamination can happen, according to a 2021 study.
Before eating French fries at a restaurant, ask your server if they're gluten free and fried in a dedicated fryer. If not, you might want to opt for a plain baked potato instead. At home, make your own fries or purchase prepared brands that are labeled gluten-free.
6. Shampoo
Wheat and other gluten ingredients are healthy for your hair, so many shampoos contain them. While your shampoo isn't ingested, it can accidentally get into your mouth while washing and rinsing your hair. Children are especially vulnerable. If you see any of these ingredients on your shampoo label, it may contain gluten according to Gluten Free Society:
- Dextrin palmitate
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
- Hydrolyzed wheat protein (stearyl dimonium hydroxypropy; laurdimonium hydroxypropyl)
- Vegetable protein
- Wheat germ oil
7. Beer and Other Alcoholic Products
According to UChicago Medicine, many types of alcohol contain gluten. In general, beer is made from gluten-containing hops and barley and should be avoided. Whiskey and bourbon may also contain gluten. Some producers, such as Omission Beer, are making beer for people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, but they may be difficult to find.
If you plan to imbibe, enjoy spirits known to be gluten-free, including:
- Hard ciders
- Potato vodka
- Rum
- Tequila
- Wine
8. Communion Wafer and Wine
Canon law states that holy communion wafers must contain wheat. This is a huge problem if you're Catholic and have celiac disease. Not only is the wafer itself a concern, but gluten residue may be left behind on the shared cup of sacramental wine.
There are several gluten-free brands of communion wafers available that are used by non-Catholic churches, but the Vatican won't budge on its wheat rule. They have, however, approved a low-gluten communion wafer. It's made by Benedictine sisters in Missouri and contains trace amounts of wheat. This satisfies the Vatican's requirement and may be safe for those with gluten sensitivities, depending on your level of sensitivity. Check with your healthcare provider before using.
9. Play-Doh
Play-Doh is great fun for kids, but not if they have celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. Play-Doh's manufacturer, Hasbro, won't give up their entire ingredient list, but they do state on their website that Play-Doh contains wheat.
Since kids get Play-Doh all over their hands and often put their hands in their mouths, Play-Doh isn't an option if your child is allergic to wheat. Try Colorations wheat and gluten-free dough instead, or make your own.
10. Imitation Crab Meat
Fake crab meat, also called surimi, is used to make sushi, seafood salads, and casseroles. It's made from several types of fish ground into a paste and molded into various shapes. Crab is naturally gluten-free, but imitation crab meat may be held together with wheat starch, which contains gluten.
When in doubt, opt for real crab. If it's not in your budget, Transocean's Simply Surimi and Crab Classic imitation crab products are gluten-free.
Remember, the only way to avoid it entirely is to educate yourself about its various names and read the labels for every product you buy. Fortunately, many companies recognized the need to offer gluten free options, so there is more to choose from than ever before. Over time, you'll learn which products and foods are gluten free and safe for you and your family.
