Celiac: Foods to Avoid

If you have been diagnosed with celiac disease, you would do best to eat natural foods, free of chemicals, preservatives, additives and other artificial ingredients, as some of these ingredients are sources of hidden gluten and are unhealthy for us all.  There is a theory that MSG is unsafe for celiac patients.  It certainly has been proven that MSG increases the risk for autism.  In addition, it has been discovered that most individuals who report having a reaction to MSG also report a sensitivity to wheat.  There are many foods and ingredients that those with celiac disease should not consume.  One would think that rice milk would be safe, but all brands are not gluten-free.  Read the information below to find out more about unsafe foods for those with celiac individuals and more.

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The theory of MSG not being safe for those with celiacs is based upon the fact that celiac patients are known to have multiple food allergies.  Why is this so?  The article linked above reports that our grains have been grown in such a way as to contain more and more glutamic acids (glutamate), causing more and more health problems because our bodies are not designed to digest gluten in the first place.  MSG is made from the grains wheat, soy or corn because they are a good sources of glutamic acid.  It has been discovered that glutamic acid/glutamate has caused a rise of autism.  Glutamic acid, along with dairy (more on that in a future article), should be on your list to consider avoiding if you have been diagnosed with celiac disease or have a gluten-sensitivity, gluten-intolerance, wheat-allergy, wheat-sensitivity, wheat-intolerance or just plain want to be healthy.

Celiac-Foods to Avoid

• Wheat flour including all purpose flour and whole wheat flour
• Oats that are not marked gluten-free
• Rye
• Barley
• Gluten Flour
• Graham Flour (wheat)
• Semolina Flour (wheat)
• Triticale (a cross of wheat and rye)
• Bulgur (wheat)
• Spelt (sometimes causes a reaction similar to wheat)
• Durum – also known as emmer (wheat)
• Couscous (semolina wheat)
• Kamut (sometimes causes a reaction similar to wheat)
• Seitan (wheat)
• Einkorn (European and Asian wheat)
• Fu (usually wheat if from Asia)
• Gravies and soups thickened with wheat flour
• Foods manufactured in a facility that manufactures any gluten products: wheat, rye, barley and most oats
• Dextrin – may be made from wheat
• Envelope Glue – may be made with wheat, other than vegetable based envelope glue (In the U.S. envelope glue is made from corn)
• Protein – HVP or Hydrolyzed Plant Protein – may come from wheat
• Imitation Seafood – also known as sirimi – may contain wheat
• Modified Food Starch – also found in prescription and over-the-counter medications (safe if made in the U.S., unless it states contains wheat)
• Cosmetics containing gluten
• Veined Cheese – may contain gluten bread
• Postum
• Ovaltine and other flavored milk mixes
• Some alcohol (see gluten-free alcohol list)
• Flavored and instant coffees, some herbal teas
• Root beer
• Tortillas, that are not 100% corn and contain gluten/wheat, etc.
• Crackers (not marked gluten-free)
• Wafers, biscuits, croutons, bread crumbs, doughnuts, graham crackers, (not marked gluten-free)
• Anything with malt flavoring, or Malt syrup, malted milk, some chocolate milk drinks
• Rice Dream brand rice milk (contains a barley enzyme, though marked gluten-free) (check all labels)
• Certain sour creams, yogurts, ice creams, most all light or fat-free dairy products
• Artificial creamers, processed cheese spreads, some chocolate milk drinks
• Pies, cakes, cookies (not gluten-free), commercial pudding mixes, ice cream cones, cake mixes
• Some commercial salad dressings, some mayonnaise
• Commercial canned fruit with gluten thickening
• Imitation Seafood
• Prepared meats, canned tuna containing Hydrolyzed Vegetable or Plant protein (HVP)
• Self-basting turkeys (often injected with HVP)
• Canned Soups, dehydrated soup mixes, bouillon , and bouillon cubes
• Creamed, breaded and scalloped vegetables
• Some baked beans, some prepared salad mixes
• Commercial candies and cake decorations
• Some ketchup and mustard
• Soy sauce (use Tarmari sauce – San J makes a great one)
• Some mixed spices and sauces such as taco seasonings, enchilada sauce, etc.
• Some vinegar, (Heinz has many gluten-free varieties: Distilled White Vinegar and Apple Cider Flavored Vinegar are made from corn.  Wine Vinegar and Apple Cider Vinegar are made from grapes and apples.)
• All foods marked gluten-free may not be free from cross-contamination*.
• Toothpaste: Sorbitol is an ingredient found in some toothpastes.  Some are derived only from corn.  Some are derived from grain.
• Gum: some chewing gums contain gluten; some contain sorbitol, too.
• Licorice – Fortunately a few manufacturers make a gluten-free version.
• Worcestershire sauce containing malt vinegar.
• French fries, processed, such as in restaurants or the frozen ones found in grocery stores – ask questions and read labels.
• Baking Powder (gluten free brands include: Rumford, Clabber Girl, and Featherweight is also corn-free)
• Caramel and caramel coloring: In the U.S. most caramel coloring is derived from corn, but on occasion you may find one that is derived from barley.  Check with each manufacturer.  In other countries, caramel and caramel coloring may contain gluten.
• Processed meats may contain gluten: deli or prepackaged cold cuts, sausages, hot dogs; hamburgers may contain fillers with gluten; canned meats, etc.
• Non-dairy creamers may contain gluten.
• Beer, unless marked gluten-free.
• Pickles and other pickled items made with vinegar that is not gluten-free. Most are GF.
• Vegetable gums may contain gluten
• Maltodextrin is made from a variety of starches – if made from wheat the label will state so. However, it is so highly processed that the wheat gluten is removed.
• Stabilizers may contain gluten
• Binders may contain gluten
• Fillers may contain gluten
• Mono and Diglycerides (fats) are usually made from soybean, cottonseed, sunflower, or palm oils, but some may contain gluten.
• Natural flavor may contain gluten (Look for wheat or barley malt on the label. Rye is rarely used. Call the manufacturer when in doubt.)
• Vegetable starch, broth, gum or protein may contain wheat or soy protein
• Rice Malt (if it contains barley or koji)
• Gelatinized starch or pre-gelatinized starch may indicate the presence of gluten or soy
• Smoke Flavoring may contain barley, as barley malt flour is sometimes used to captured the smoke from the wood.
• Instant Mashed Potatoes, some brands contain gluten
• Slim Fast shakes – They used to make a gluten-free, lactose-free “easy to digest” shake, but it has been discontinuted.
• Kellogg’s Rice Krispies (malt flavoring made from barley), Corn Pops (wheat starch).  These are produced in facilities that manufacture wheat products.
• Egg albumen – aka albumin (powdered egg whites): may be made or packaged in gluten facilities.  Look for it on labels.
• Miso – often used in Japanese cooking (sometimes made from fermented soybeans and barley or rice malt) You can find gluten-free miso that is not made with barley
• Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP): is usually made from corn, but some are made from wheat, soy, oats, or milk.
• Carob – Soy Flour – It is gluten-free, but watch for cross-contamination of gluten.
• Chili Con Carne – may contain caramel coloring (in U.S. usually okay, but check with manufacturer); may contain textured vegetable protein (TVP) (may contain gluten, again, check with manufacturer).
• Curry powder (may contain wheat) (check with manufacturer).
• Catholics: Communion Hosts are not safe; and sometimes host is added to the Communion wine.
• “Mono- and Diglycerides in dry products – are sometimes carried over using a gluten ingredient. (check with manufacturers).
• Maple Syrup – some brands are not gluten-free: Log Cabin’s Sugar Free Syrup is not gluten free in the USA or in CANADA.  The natural flavoring contains barley.

This is by no means a complete list, but will give you a good start if you are new to the gluten-free diet.  Read your labels and know your ingredients.  Kraft Food products is one of the manufacturers who are committed to stating whether their products contain gluten.  For other products contact the manufacturer with any questions.  Products contain phone numbers for this very reason.

Come back for more information, as we will be posting more and more articles on this subject.  In addition, we add to the list regularly.

Non-food Items

• Playdough (not marked gluten-free)
• Many cosmetics, shampoos, conditions, lotions, etc.
• Over-the-counter medications
• Prescription drugs, call ahead and ask the pharmacists to research your prescription
• Vitamins – VitaminShoppe brand is all gluten-free
• Contrast liquids you drink for a medical test may contain gluten
• Dental polishing paste may contain gluten

Note:

MSG may cause different reactions in individuals.  Reported reactions have been allergic to neurological and cardiovascular and more.  See full list of reactions to MSG at Collected Reports of Adverse Reactions Caused by MSG.  More importantly, learn the hidden sources of MSG.

Also see latest news on GMO Linked to Celiac Disease.

Now that you know which ingredients and food you cannot have, check out the List of Gluten Free Products and Ingredients you can have.

*Cross-contamination – foods that may have been manufactured in a plant with gluten or crops that have been grown near gluten crops.  See my upcoming article on food labeling.