foods contain gluten?

Did you know that these foods contain gluten?

Celiac disease, or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is an inherited condition that affects nearly one per cent of the Canadian population. Many non-celiac individuals also experience varying degrees of gluten sensitivity. While some gluten-containing foods, like bread and pasta, are evident and easy to avoid, others are surprisingly inconspicuous. Read on to discover few foods to watch out for if you’re following a gluten-free diet

Corn flakes

While corn is naturally without gluten, most brands of corn flakes aren’t safe for those following a gluten-free diet. That’s because cereals are often sweetened with malt, an ingredient traditionally made with barley—one of the three gluten grains along with wheat and rye. Since manufacturers can disguise barley as malt on their product labels, gluten can easily go unnoticed. If you see malt on the back of your cereal box, beware! It may contain gluten.

Oats

Pure oats are completely safe for those with a gluten sensitivity, but studies have shown that most commercially available oats in North America are processed in facilities that also process wheat, rye, and barley. Look for oat products labelled “gluten-free,” which indicates little or no cross-contamination. There are also several companies that specialize in pure, uncontaminated oats for gluten-intolerant consumers.

Ice cream

Craving an end-of-summer ice cream cone? If you can’t eat gluten, this can be tricky! Ice cream can be gluten free, but it all depends on the ingredients and how it was processed. Cones generally contain gluten, as do toppings like cookie crumbs. Ice creams served at shops and restaurants are especially risky, since safe flavours, such as vanilla or strawberry, can easily be cross-contaminated. To satisfy your sweet tooth, stick to store-bought pints by gluten-free brands.