Gluten-Free Foods | Celiac Disease Foundation

The most cost-effective and healthy way to follow the gluten-free diet is to seek out these naturally gluten-free food groups, which include:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Meat and poultry
• Fish and seafood
• Dairy
• Beans, legumes, and nuts

Pure wheat grass and barley grass are gluten-free, but there is gluten in the seeds. If they are not harvested or processed correctly, there is risk of gluten contamination.

What About Grains?

There are many naturally gluten-free grains that you can enjoy in a variety of creative ways. Many of these grains can be found in your local grocery store, but some of the lesser-known grains may only be found in specialty or health food stores. It is not recommended to purchase grains from bulk bins because of the possibility of cross-contact with gluten.

The following grains, legumes, seeds, and other starchy foods are naturally gluten-free:

There is some research indicating that some naturally gluten-free grains may contain gluten from cross-contact with gluten-containing grains through harvesting and processing. If you are concerned about the safety of a grain, purchase only versions that are tested for the presence of gluten and contain less than 20 parts per million.

Many items that usually contain gluten have gluten-free alternatives that are widely available in most grocery stores, making adherence to the gluten-free diet much easier. Keep in mind, however, that minimally processed fresh foods are a crucial part of a healthy gluten-free diet. It is very important to base your diet around fruits, vegetables, meats, and other healthy food groups listed above.

Many commercially-available products are labeled “gluten-free,” but there will be some that are not; this is why proper label reading is important. It is also important to remember that “wheat-free” does not necessarily mean “gluten-free.” Be wary, as many products may appear to be gluten-free, but are not.

As a rule, traditional wheat products such as pastas, breads, crackers, and other baked goods are not gluten-free. However, there are many gluten-free options available that use alternative flours and grains. Often, gluten-free bread can be found in the freezer section. Additionally, there are gluten-free flours and flour blends available, allowing you to bake your own bread.

Cereal

Many cereals contain gluten or wheat-based ingredients, but there are some that do not. Be on the lookout for the “gluten-free” label, but also realize that not all gluten-free cereals will advertise as such, so it is important to check the list of ingredients. Something to watch out for: cornflakes and puffed rice cereal may contain malt flavoring or extract, which contains gluten.

Oats

Oats are often harvested and processed with the same equipment that is used for wheat, and are therefore easily contaminated. Research indicates that pure, uncontaminated oats consumed in moderation (up to ½ cup dry rolled oats daily) are tolerated by most people with celiac disease. Some people with celiac disease have an immune reaction to the avenin in oats, a protein similar to gluten, and should avoid all oats, even those labeled gluten-free. If you can tolerate oats, be sure they are specifically labeled gluten-free, including granolas and granola bars.

Soups and Sauces

Soups and sauces are one of the biggest sources of hidden gluten, as many companies use wheat as a thickener. It is always a good idea to read the label of any pre-prepared or canned soup and sauce, paying special attention to those that are cream-based.

Produce

Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables are naturally gluten-free. However, it is important to read labels on any processed fruits and veggies, as well as dried fruit and pre-prepared smoothies. Additionally, packaged frozen potatoes are not always gluten-free, and labels should be read carefully when considering these products.

Beverages

Most beverages are gluten-free, including juices, sodas, and sports drinks.

Wine is generally considered gluten-free to the FDA standard of less than 20 parts per million of gluten. According to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center, wines fermented in barrels lined with wheat paste (historically wines such as port, Madeira and muscatel) are unlikely to contain enough gluten to cause a reaction.

However, some types of wine, like those with added color or flavoring, such as dessert wines, as well as those made from barley malt, such as bottled wine coolers, do contain an unsafe amount of gluten for people with celiac disease. For these, consumers should check the label, and if in doubt, contact the company.

Alcoholic beverages, including hard liquor/distilled liquors/hard ciders are also gluten-free. Beers, ales, lagers, malt beverages, and malt vinegars that are made from gluten-containing grains are not distilled and therefore are not gluten-free. There are several brands of gluten-free beers available in the United States and abroad.

Gluten-Free Candy List | Celiac Disease Foundation

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Candies listed below are considered to be gluten-free by their United States manufacturers. This list does not include all candies that may be gluten-free. It is important to read labels to verify that all ingredients are gluten-free, as manufacturing practices may change. Consumers are advised to verify ingredients directly with the manufacturer when in doubt.

Easter Candy List

Jelly Belly

According to their website:
“All flavors of Jelly Belly beans are free of gluten. We do not use any wheat, rye, barley, or oats in the basic recipe for Jelly Belly jelly beans. The modified food starch listed on the package is cornstarch.”
NOTE: On occasion, other companies repackage our products in their own production facilities. If our product is packaged and distributed by another company, it will be noted on the package. Please check with the repackaging company regarding possible allergen exposure.  In addition, licensed goods that bear our name, but are produced by other companies, may contain peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg products and/or other allergens.”

Just Born

JUST BORN^® Jelly Beans are gluten-free, kosher, and produced in the USA.

According to their website, “We offer many gluten-free products under the MIKE AND IKE®, HOT TAMALES®, PEEPS®, GOLDENBERG’S® PEANUT CHEWS®, TEENEE BEANEE® and JUST BORN® brands and we are in the process of updating package labels to include gluten-free statements where appropriate. The modified food starch that we use in our candies is corn starch. However, because some of our products may be manufactured and/or packaged in a facility that may also handle non-gluten-free products, we encourage consumers to read the labels carefully for the most up-to-date ingredient and allergen information. For further questions, please call our Consumer Relations Team toll-free at 1-888-645-3453.”

Spangler Candy

The Spangler Candy allergen statement specifically Dum Dums, Spangler Candy Canes, and Saf-T-Pops.

Here is their current allergen information page: https://www.spanglercandy.com/nutrition/allergen-information

Peeps

We recommend visiting the Peeps website where you will find ingredient statements and nutrition facts. Or, for the most up-to-date information, please contact our Consumer Relations Team toll-free at 1-888-645-3453.

For the products, update the following (color options have changed) & I’ve added a few more that they had under their Easter selection:

• Classic Marshmallow Chicks – Yellow, Pink, Blue, Lavender, and Green
• Peep Bunnies – Yellow, Pink, Blue, and Lavendar
• Milk Chocolate Delights Marshmallow Chicks
• Peeps Marshmallow Cotton Candy
• Strawberry Flavored Delights Dipped in Milk Chocolate
• Peeps Decorated Marshmallow Eggs
• Peeps Sour Watermelon
• Peeps Dr. Pepper
• Peeps Tropical Burst
• Peeps Kettle Corn
• Party Cake Peeps
• Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Chicks
• Peeps Wildberry Flavored Marshmallow Bunnies
• Peeps Chocolate Pudding Flavored Marshmallow Bunnies
• Peeps Hot Tamales Flavored Marshmallow Chicks

Please note: According to the company, it is always recommended to read the label to ensure that the product does not contain gluten products.

Tootsie Roll Industries

According to their website:
“At this time, all of our confections are gluten free. We do not use wheat, barley, rye, oats, triticale, spelt or any of their components and that includes our dusting on our conveyor belts. We do use corn and soy products in the manufacturing of our products.

Passover Candy List

Illinois Nut & Candy/Raising the Candy Bar

• Passover Chocolate Locust
• Passover Chocolate Kos Miriam
• Passover Chocolate Mousse Cup
• Passover White Baking Bar
• Passover Chocolate Mousse Cup: “There are no gluten ingredients in this product, but the product was manufactured in a NON-GLUTEN FREE facility. ”
• Passover Green Frogs: “There are no gluten ingredients in this product, but the product was manufactured in a NON-GLUTEN FREE facility.”
• Wild Beasts: “There are no gluten ingredients in this product, but the product was manufactured in a NON-GLUTEN FREE facility.”
• Passover Frogs: “There are no gluten ingredients in this product, but the product was manufactured in a NON-GLUTEN FREE facility.”
• Chocolate Seder Plate: “There are no gluten ingredients in this product, but the product was manufactured in a NON-GLUTEN FREE facility.”

Manischewitz

• Macaroons: Birthday cake, no sugar added coconut, coconut, hazelnut chocolate chip, red velvet, cookies & cream, carrot cake, pistachio orange, chocolate, almond, dark chocolate, chocolate chip, rocky road, chocolate almond, chocolate nut brownie, cappuccino chip, honey nut, and mint chocolate
• Dried mixed fruits, dried apricots
• Fruit slices
• Magic Max’s Cotton Candy – red, blue
• Almond Meltaway Cookies
• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Modena Ladyfinger Cookies
• Sandwich Creme Cookies

Paskesz

• Camille Bloch Swiss Milk Chocolate (Dairy)
• Camille Bloch Swiss White Chocolate (Dairy)
• Camille Bloch Torino Noir Filled Chocolate (Parve)
• Camille Bloch Torino Tentations – Milk
• Ragusa Classique (Dairy)
• Ragusa Noir (Parve)
• Premium Mini Chocolate Chips (Passover)
• Premium Chocolate Chips (Passover)
• Mini Bits Chocolate Chip Cookies – Passover
• Mini Bits Double Fudge Chocolate Chip Cookies – Passover
• Mini Bits Striped Delite Cookies – Passover
• Mini Bits Confetti Cookies – Passover
• Fruit Taffy
• Ball Pops
• Sour Chews: Regular and Berry Mix
• Cherry Sours
• All Gummies and Sours
• Brownie Crisps Original
• Brownie Crisps Chocolate Chip
• Goyos Original Chocolate Snack
• Goyos Mix Chocolate Snack
• Mega Bytes Chocolaty Snack
• Mega Bytes Truffle Snack

Valentine’s Day Candy List

Brookside Dark Chocolate Fruit

• Brookside Dark Chocolate Acai and Blueberry Candy
• Brookside Dark Chocolate Goji and Raspberry Flavors Candy
• Brookside Dark Chocolate Vineyard Inspired Merlot Grape and Black Currant Flavors
• Brookside Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Flavor Candy
• Brookside Whole Almonds in Dark Chocolate Candy

Dagoba Products

Hershey’s

• All PayDay Candy, including PayDay Snack Bites
• SKOR Toffee Bars – All
• YORK Dark Chocolate Peppermint Patties
• YORK Dark Chocolate Snack Size Peppermint Patties
• YORK Hearts Dark Chocolate Peppermint Patties
• YORK Valentine’s Dark Chocolate Peppermint Patties
• YORK Miniatures Dark Chocolate Peppermint Panties
• YORK Pantry Pack Dark Chocolate Snack Size Peppermint Patties
• YORK Snowflakes Dark Chocolate Peppermint Patties
• YORK THiNS Dark Chocolate Peppermint Patties
• YORK THiNS Dark Chocolate Peppermint Patties
• Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar (1. 55 oz only)
• Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar with Almonds (1.45oz only)
• Hershey’s Kisses
  • Hershey’s Hugs Candy
  • Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolate Filled with Caramel
  • Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolate Filled with Cherry Cordial Crème
  • Hershey’s Kisses Dark Chocolate Filled with Mint Truffle
  • Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolate
  • Hershey’s Kisses Special Dark Mildly Sweet Chocolate
  • Hershey’s Kisses – Candy Cane
  • Hershey’s Giant Kiss (7 oz. only)
• Hershey’s and Heath Baking Chips
  • Heath Milk Chocolate Toffee Bits
  • Heath Bits O’Brickle
  • Hershey’s Butterscotch Chips
  • Hershey’s Cinnamon Baking Chips
  • Hershey’s Mini Kisses Milk Chocolates
  • Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Chips
  • Hershey’s Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
  • Hershey’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Chips
  • Hershey’s Sea Salt Caramel Chips
  • Hershey’s Special Dark Mildly Sweet Chocolate Chips

Hershey’s Cocoa

• Hershey’s Cocoa
• Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa

Hershey’s Nuggets

• Hershey’s Nuggets Milk Chocolates
• Hershey’s Nuggets Milk Chocolate with Almonds
• Hershey’s Nuggets Special Dark Chocolate with Almonds
• Hershey’s Nuggets Extra Creamy Milk Chocolate with Toffee and Almonds
• Hershey’s Nuggets Special Dark Chocolate

Hershey’s Milk Duds – All
Hershey’s Syrup

• Hershey’s Caramel Syrup
• Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup
• Hershey’s Chocolate Sugar Free Syrup
• Hershey’s Simple 5 Chocolate Syrup
• Hershey’s Special Dark  Syrup
• Hershey’s Strawberry Flavored Syrup

Hershey’s Toppings

• Heath Shell Topping
• Hershey’s Hot Fudge Topping
• Hershey’s Caramel Topping
• Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Shell Topping

Reese’s

• Reese’s Fast Break Bar
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – All Except Seasonal Shaped Items
• Reese’s Unwrapped Mini Minis – Milk Chocolate and White
• Reese’s Pieces Candy – All Except Reese’s Pieces Eggs
• Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cups – All Except Seasonal Shaped Items
• Reese’s Big Box O’ Love Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
• Reese’s Big Cup Holiday Peanut Brittle King Size Peanut Butter Cups
• Reese’s Big Cup Milk Chocolate King Size Peanut Butter Cups
• Reese’s Big Cup Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup
• Reese’s Big Cup Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
• Reese’s Big Cup with Potato Chips King Size Peanut Butter Cups
• Reese’s Big Cup with Pretzels King Size Peanut Butter Cups
• Reese’s Big Cup with Reese’s Puffs Cereal Milk Chocolate Miniatures Peanut Butter Cups
• Reese’s Big Cup with Reese’s Puffs Cereal Milk Chocolate King Size Peanut Butter Cups

Rolo Caramels

• • ROLO Creamy Caramels in Rich Chocolate Candy (1. 7 oz. roll, 5.3 oz, 7.6 oz, 10.6 oz., Family Size, and Party Size)
  • ROLO Dark Salted Caramel in Rich Dark Chocolate Holiday Candy
  • ROLO Dark Salted Caramel in Rich Dark Chocolate Candy (1.7 oz roll, 2.3 oz, 10.1 oz, 36 count box)
  • ROLO Valentine’s Creamy Caramels in Rich Chocolate Candy

Heath Bars 

• • HEATH Bits O’Brickle Milk Chocolate English Toffee Bits
  • HEATH Bits O’Brickle Milk Chocolate English Toffee Bits
  • HEATH Holiday Milk Chocolate English Toffee Miniatures Candy Bars
  • HEATH Milk Chocolate English Toffee Bits
  • HEATH Milk Chocolate English Toffee Candy Bar (1.4 oz.)
  • HEATH Milk Chocolate English Toffee Candy Bars (8.4. oz, 6 pack)
  • HEATH Milk Chocolate English Toffee King Size Candy Bar
  • HEATH Miniatures Milk Chocolate English Toffee Candy Bars (10.2 oz bag)

Jelly Belly

According to their website:
“We make over 150 different candies and a few of our products use gluten-containing ingredients. These items include Chocolate Malt Balls, Chocolate Deluxe Mix, Seasonal Malt Balls, Licorice Bridge Mix, and Licorice Pastels. Jelly Belly jelly beans are free of gluten ingredients. Always read the Ingredient Label on packages and bulk bins to see if gluten-containing ingredients are present.”

Just Born

• According to their website, “We offer many gluten-free products under the MIKE AND IKE®, HOT TAMALES®, PEEPS®, GOLDENBERG’S® PEANUT CHEWS®, TEENEE BEANEE® and JUST BORN® brands and we are in the process of updating package labels to include gluten-free statements where appropriate.  The modified food starch that we use in our candies is corn starch.  However, because some of our products may be manufactured and/or packaged in a facility that may also handle non-gluten-free products, we encourage consumers to read the labels carefully for the most up-to-date ingredient and allergen information.  For further questions, please call our Consumer Relations Team toll-free at 1-888-645-3453. ”

Spangler Candy

“To be confident that you are getting an allergen-free Spangler candy item, check the back of the item you are purchasing for the allergen statement. Spangler Candy bags manufactured and packaged in our facility will have all of the following identifiers:

1. 1. Current Spangler allergen statement: “This product does not contain peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat, or gluten. It has been manufactured on dedicated equipment.”
   2. Address line on the back of the bag: Manufactured by Spangler Candy Company, Bryan, Ohio, 43506 USA.
   3. UPC code begins with “0 30800”. This is the code for our manufacturing facility.”

See’s

According to their website:
“Candies produced in See’s Candies facilities do not contain gluten, and these products are the vast majority of those we sell. We sell a small amount of specialty candies that we purchase from other partner confectioners. Although these don’t contain gluten, they are manufactured in shared facilities or in shared equipment with gluten-containing products. These products are candy canes, peanut butter bites, lemon drops, apple pie bites, Hanukkah hard candy, hot cocoa, chocolate covered coffee beans sold in our retail shops and online at Sees.com.”

Smarties

According to the Smarties “Are your products gluten-free” in the FAQ:

“YES! Smarties^® and our entire line of products are gluten free. If the UPC number on the packaging begins with “0 11206”, you can be assured that it is manufactured in a facility that is gluten‑free and safe to eat if you have Celiac Disease. For more information, please visit our Gluten Free section!”

Tootsie Roll

According to their website:
“At this time, all of our confections are gluten free. We do not use wheat, barley, rye, oats, triticale, spelt or any of their components and that includes our dusting on our conveyor belts. We do use corn and soy products in the manufacturing of our products.”

Halloween Candy List

The latest gluten-free Halloween candy list is here! But please remember to use the list only as a guide, since ingredients and formulas can change at any time. Make sure to always read the label.

Download the list

General Candy List

Annie’s Homegrown

• Fruit Snacks and Organic Fruit Bites

Boston Fruit Slices

According to their website:
“A Gluten Free, Fat Free, Cholesterol Free snack!”

Dr. Schar

• Chocolate Hazelnut Bar
• Chocolix
• Twin Bar

Enjoy Life

Enjoy Life wants to help everyone delight in safe, tasty treats, which is why we’re proud that our baking facility has been certified as gluten-free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization. We make our cookies, cereals, snack bars and more under strict regulations and perform routine rapid tests to ensure that our products are free from gluten.

Ferrara

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on ingredients within your product, please refer to the ingredient list on the nutritional panel.
Our products contain only Corn Gluten.  The following products contain no wheat, rye, barley, or oats.  Here is a list of candies you can enjoy:

• Atomic Fireballs
• All Ferrara Gummies
  All Black Forest Gummies
• All Sathers Gummies
• All Trolli Gummies EXCEPT Trolli Sour Brite Bites and Trolli Twisted Sour Brite Crawlers
• All Jellies (Gum Drops, Orange Slices, etc)
• Bob’s Sweet Stripes
• Boston Baked Beans (contains peanuts)
• Brach’s Wild ‘N Fruity Gummi Worms
• Brach’s Candy Corn – All Varieties
• Brach’s Chocolates – Peanut Caramel Clusters, Peanut Clusters, Stars, Chocolate Covered Raisins,
  Brach’s Double Dipped Peanuts/Double Dippers (they are processed in a facility that processes wheat)
• Brach’s Cinnamon Disks
• Brach’s Cinnamon Imperials
• Brach’s Conversation Hearts
• Brach’s Jelly Bean Nougats
• Brach’s Lemon Drops
• Brach’s Halloween Mellowcremes – All Varieties
• Candy Canes (Bob’s, Brach’s, Lemonhead & Friends, Red Hots) Allergen Free
• Cherry Sours
• Fruit Snacks (Ferrara, Black Forest, Trolli)
• Gumballs
• Jawbreakers / Jawbusters
• Jelly Beans
• Juju’s
• Jujy’s
• Lemonheads
• Lemonheads & Friends Conversation Hearts
• Tropical Chewy Lemonhead
• Chewy Lemonhead & Friends
• Berry Chewy Lemonhead
• Cherryhead
• Grapehead
• Now & Later
• Red Hot’s

Gimbal’s Fine Candy

According to their website:
“Gimbal’s candies are peanut-free, tree nut-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and egg-free. These ingredients are responsible for countless allergic reactions across the nation. Many Gimbal’s consumers have personally thanked us for making our candies available to them. We are happy to create delicious treats that can be enjoyed by so many people, including those living with food allergies.”

Hershey

• Almond Joy Candy -All Except ALMOND JOY PIECES Candy
• Heath Bars
• Hershey Kisses Candies
• Hershey’s Nuggets Chocolates
• Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar (includes Aerated Milk Chocolate Bar)
• Hershey’s Milk Duds
• Mounds Bars
• Payday Candy
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – all except Unwrapped Minis and Seasonal Shaped Items
• Reese’s Pieces – all except Eggs
• Rolo Caramels in Milk Chocolate – all except Minis
• Sharffen Berger
• Skor Toffee Bars
• York Peppermint Patties – all except York Pieces, Minis, and Shapes

Jelly Belly

According to their website:
“Jelly Belly jelly beans are gluten free, peanut free, dairy free, fat free and vegetarian friendly. ”

Manischewitz

• Dark Chocolate Covered Potato Chips
• Milk Chocolate Almond Butter Cups
• Toasted Coconut Marshmallows
• White Marshmallows
• Mini Marshmallows
• Toasted Coconut Marshmallows
• Magic Max, Cotton Candy (Blue/Red)
• Dark Chocolate Almond Bark
• Dark Chocolate Seder Plate
• Dark Chocolate Macaroons
• Ultimate Triple Chocolate Macaroons
• Dark Chocolate Covered Marshmallows with Nuts
• Raspberry Jell Bars
• Milk Chocolate Frolic Bears
• Caramel Cashew Patties
• Peppermint Patties
• Tender Coconut Patties
• Hazelnut Truffles
• Viennese Crunch
• Milk Chocolate Lollycones
• Fruit Slices Gift Pack
• Magic Max Cotton Candy

Nestlé

• Bit-O-Honey
• Butterfinger Bar (original flavor only, NOT Crisp, Giant Bars)
• Milk Chocolate
• Goobers
• Nips (including both regular and sugar-free)
• Oh Henry!
• Raisinets (including Cranberry and Dark Chocolate flavors)
• Sno-Caps
• Wonka Pixy Stix
• Wonka Lik-M-Aid Fun Dip

Paskesz

• Fruit Snacks Very Berry
• Fruit Snacks Wild Strawberry
• Fruit Snacks Fruit Medley
• Giant Shock Pops
• Fruit Leather – All Flavors
• Cherry Sours
• Raspberry Sours
• Apple Sours
• Fruit Sours
• Mini Jelly Beans
• Beanie Hearts
• Gummy Bears
• Sour Jelly Animals
• Sour Jelly Rings
• Gummy Hearts
• Jelly Fish
• Gummy Fruit Slices
• Fruity Taffy
• Assorted Ball Lollipops
• Fruit Taffy

See’s

According to their website:
“All See’s Candies products are gluten-free. ”

Smarties

According to their website:
“All Smarties® products are gluten-free and safe to eat for people with Celiac Disease. Furthermore, Smarties® products are manufactured in facilities that produce exclusively gluten-free candies. Smarties Gummies ingredients are gluten-free, but because they are made in a facility that process other ingredients, they may contain traces of peanut, milk, wheat and soy and are not recommended for those with Celiac Disease.”

Sour Patch

• Sour Patch Kids
• Sour Patch Xtreme
• Sour Patch Xploderz
• Sour Patch Watermelon
• Swedish Fish

Surf Sweets

According to their website:
“Our products are both manufactured without wheat and made in a facility that is free of wheat, making them suitable for people with celiac disease or following a gluten-free diet.” (Note: we do random testing on finished product down to 5PPM for gluten and have never had a positive test result.)

Welch’s

• Fruit Snacks – All Varieties

Wrigley

According to their website:
“While some Wrigley products may contain gluten, the majority of our products are gluten-free. In general, we avoid using ingredients that contain gluten where they serve no functional purpose or can be replaced by gluten-free alternatives; however, ingredients and formulas may vary between regions. When the use of ingredients containing gluten is critical to the product taste experience, we follow all labeling requirements to allow our consumers to make an informed choice. We always advise consumers who are concerned about food sensitivities to read the label and check with their doctor if they have questions.”

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Nutritional advice for people with celiac disease

Celiac disease is a common disease with a hereditary predisposition, which consists in damage to the small intestine when eating food containing gluten.

Gluten (gluten) is a special type of water-insoluble proteins contained in cereal grains and intended for germination and nutrition of plant embryos. In cooking, gluten gives elasticity to dough and splendor to baked goods. Most of all gluten is in modern wheat and its older types (spelled, spelled and kamut), as well as in barley and rye. Oats are gluten-free, but oats often contain wheat, so for celiac disease, oat products can only be used with a gluten-free label.

Learn more about celiac disease :

• What is celiac disease and how is it treated?
• Why is celiac disease dangerous in adults?

Not only children, but also adults suffer from celiac disease, the disease can manifest itself, it can manifest itself with a variety of symptoms and proceed in a latent atypical form.

The main signs of celiac disease

1. Abdominal pain, flatulence, bloating, nausea.
2. Loose, loose stools, diarrhea or constipation.
3. Weight loss, excessive thinness, difficulty gaining weight and muscle mass.
4. May also be overweight.
5. Muscle weakness, loss of strength, headaches, joint pain, osteoporosis.
6. Rash, dermatitis, psoriasis, dry skin, brittle nails, hair loss.
7. Menstrual disorders, miscarriage, male and female infertility, reduced potency and libido, hormonal disorders.
8. Anemia, beriberi.

Due to the variety of symptoms, the diagnosis of celiac disease and gluten intolerance in adults is a complex multi-stage process, the diagnosis is made by a doctor based on the results of all examinations.

The primary treatment for celiac disease is the continued strict adherence to a gluten-free diet. In addition to diet, especially at the initial stage of treatment, patients with celiac disease need additional drug therapy. It is important that the therapeutic effect of dieting occurs within 3-6 months, but noticeable improvements may already begin in the first weeks.

Diagnosis of celiac disease in more detail:

• Blood tests for celiac disease
• FGDS (videogastroscopy) for the diagnosis of celiac disease

Attention!!! Do not eliminate foods with gluten before consulting a doctor, as eliminating gluten, despite temporary improvement, may subsequently cause an exacerbation and distort the results of the examination for diagnosis.

Diet and lifestyle for people with celiac disease

If you have passed all the necessary examinations and have been diagnosed with celiac disease, I suggest you use the following tips.

The transition to a gluten-free diet is an important stage in a person’s life with the formation of a new lifestyle and eating habits. This is a complex process, however, all the difficulties are compensated by an improvement in well-being and getting rid of problems that have been bothering you for years, as well as a decrease in the risk of oncological diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (especially if relatives had a similar problem). For support of adaptation to a new way of life and diet, you can contact the GC “Expert”.

Difficulties in following a gluten-free diet are associated with:

• accidental ingestion of gluten;
• the presence of hidden gluten in products due to violations of their labeling rules;
• contamination of cereals, flour and other products with traces of gluten;
• difficulties in finding gluten-free products;
• lack of support and understanding from other people.

EU gluten free are products whose gluten content does not exceed 20 ppm (20 mg of gluten per kg of finished product).

A gluten-free diet should not be broken, as scientific studies have shown that eating more than 50 mg of gluten per day (500 g of food with a gluten content of more than 20 ppm) for three months or a single intake of a large amount of gluten leads to intestinal damage and return of disturbing symptoms.

How to create a gluten-free menu

According to the content of gluten, we can divide all foods and drinks into 4 categories :

1. Products that are definitely free of gluten

Products from this category can be safely consumed without restriction.

Fresh Meat and Poultry

All meals prepared with beef, lean pork, lamb, chicken, turkey without additives or sauces containing gluten.

Fresh fish and seafood, eggs

All dishes prepared without additives and sauces containing gluten.

Mushrooms

All dishes prepared without additives and sauces containing gluten.

Vegetables and fruits

Fresh and prepared without additives or sauces containing gluten.

Vegetable and animal oils

Butter, sunflower, olive, corn, etc.

Flour, starch, pasta, dumplings, pastries, desserts and sweets

From rice, corn, quinoa, amaranth with gluten-free labeling (picture of a crossed ear and number) of Russian and foreign manufacturers specializing in the production of such products. The range of gluten-free products can be found on the websites of specialty stores. Pay attention to the packaging of the product, the product you need should be marked with a crossed-out ear symbol with a number under it!

2. Foods and drinks that definitely contain gluten

For the treatment of celiac disease, these foods and drinks must be excluded !!!

Flour, starch, bread, pastries, pasta, muesli, dumplings, sweets, croutons from wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt, kamut spelled, triticale, durum.

Cereals, baby cereals: pearl barley, barley, wheat, semolina, wheat, couscous, bulgur, freekeh, oatmeal.

Chocolates with wafer crumbs.

Sauces soy sauce and others.

Drinks kvass , kissel , alcoholic beverages (beer, vodka, whiskey).

Food additives : caramel colors E-150a – E-150d (confectionery, coca-cola, bread, pastries, dairy products), maltol E-636 (chocolate, essences, soft drinks, canned fruits and vegetables, bakery products, tea, coffee, cocoa), isomaltol E-953 – sweetener (milk, fruit, egg-fat and grain desserts, fruit ice, ice cream, jelly sweets, marmalade, jam, glazed fruits), maltitol and maltitol syrup E- 965 (sweets without sugar, drugs), mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids E471 (confectionery and dairy products, margarine)

Products that may contain gluten and products with hidden gluten (gluten content not indicated on the label)

Dairy products without sugar and fillers : kefir, fermented baked milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, natural yogurt without additives, soft and hard cheese.

Recommendations: these dairy products can be tested with an iodine test (if you drop iodine on a sample of the product and the iodine changes color, it means that the product contains flour or starch and should not be eaten). Also read the ingredients carefully.

Sweet dairy products : curd mass, filled yoghurts, ice cream, curd snacks.

Recommendations: exclude or follow the algorithm below.

Chips, flakes, croutons Corn, rice flakes and croutons, chips, French fries.

Recommendations: exclude or follow the algorithm below.

Prepared meat and fish semi-finished products in any form : semi-finished products from minced meat and fish, breaded semi-finished products, sauces.

Recommendations: To be excluded, except for self-prepared.

Sausages : ham, boiled sausages, sausages, pates.

Recommendations: exclude or follow the algorithm below.

Canned food : canned meat, fish, canned vegetables and legumes, industrial jam.

Recommendation: delete.

Imitation seafood : crab sticks, crabmeat

Recommendation: Delete.

Sauces : tomato paste, ketchup, mustard, salad dressing, vinegar, mayonnaise. Recommendations: exclude or act according to the algorithm given under the table

Seasonings: ground one-component and multi-component dry seasonings and spices.

Recommendation: delete.

Sweets : chocolate bars, caramel, filled chocolates and soy candies, oriental sweets, marshmallows, marshmallows.

Recommendations: exclude or act according to the algorithm given under the table

Drinks : juices with pulp, instant coffee, cocoa, tea, hot chocolate.

Recommendation: delete.

Algorithm for using products of the third category:

1. Find a substitute product labeled gluten-free.
2. If you could not find a gluten-free analogue, check the composition on the package, check the composition of the product and the presence of gluten with the manufacturer. If there is no certainty, then it is better to exclude the product.
3. Search gluten-free stores for products in this section that are more likely to be gluten-free. Store employees conduct periodic random checks of products without labeling and check the composition with the manufacturer.
4. You can check the composition of the product in celiac communities, where you can find information on manufacturers and products from this category that do not contain gluten. Be sure to read the composition on the packaging of products from the found list before each use, sometimes the manufacturer changes the composition or manufacturing conditions and traces of gluten appear in previously allowed products.

Products made in the EU are subject to stricter control, so the composition indicated on the packaging of such products can be trusted more. In Russia, the situation has improved recently, but there are still many products with unspecified content of wheat flour and starch and their derivatives.

Care should be taken when choosing medicines , carefully read the composition of medicines before buying. Coated and uncoated tablets, dragees, powders, granules may contain wheat flour and starch as a forming component, which, with prolonged use or persistent inflammation in the intestines in the early stages of therapy, can cause undesirable consequences. Tell doctors before writing a prescription that you have celiac disease .

In addition, toothpaste and lipstick may contain gluten.

Attention!!! Anytime you use the products in this section, other than those labeled gluten-free or iodine-tested, you are at risk of a dietary disorder.

4. Products with traces of gluten

These products did not contain raw materials containing gluten, but may have been produced on the same production line as products with gluten. Usually manufacturers indicate such information on the label, but they may not indicate it, in addition, not all factories for the manufacture and packaging of products have a high degree of purification of raw materials from impurities.

Permitted cereals : rice, millet, quinoa, buckwheat.

Recommendations: Rinse all cereals several times in running water before cooking, and pre-sort buckwheat and rice, as they may contain single grains of wheat. Buckwheat should contain a minimum of broken grains and dust. Also, to improve the quality, cereals can be poured with cold water, brought to a boil and drained, and then add a new one and cook.

Legumes : peas, beans and other legumes.

Recommendations: rinse several times before cooking in running water, carefully read the instructions on the packaging, recently manufacturers have been required to indicate whether legumes contain traces of gluten.

Cereal flakes : rice, millet, buckwheat

Recommendation: delete.

Flour : from maize, rice, legumes, nuts, flax not specifically labeled

Recommendation: delete.

Seeds and nuts, dried fruits : peeled seeds, any nuts and dried fruits

Recommendations: exclude seeds and dried fruits, wash nuts several times before eating vegetables

Recommendation: delete.

Sweets : chocolate, sweets.

Recommendation: delete.

Over time, it is worth looking for a manufacturer of legal cereals whose raw materials, in your experience, have fewer impurities.

All products with traces of gluten, except for permitted cereals, legumes and nuts, are not recommended. Flour can only be used with a special gluten-free label or one sold in specialized gluten-free shops.

Producers of gluten-free products

Recently, the range of gluten-free products in Russia has expanded significantly, but not all Russian manufacturers have passed the certification for compliance with gluten content standards, which is being introduced by the Emilia Celiac Society.

Russian manufacturers:

• Garnets
• Diet
• Diet product
• McMaster
• First Baby Food Plant
• Di & Di
• Korner and others.

Foreign manufacturers:

• Almondy (frozen cakes)
• Balviten
• Bezgluten
• Ball
• G-FREE. CLUB
• Gullon
• Le Veneziane
• Mevalia
• NUTRI FREE
• Provena
• Sotelli and others.

How to prepare and store food

If you are preparing gluten and gluten-free meals at home, we recommend that you follow these safety guidelines:

• Store all gluten-free foods separately.
• Wash dishes thoroughly after cooking with gluten.
• Do not cut gluten-free and gluten-free products with the same knife, the same applies to using other kitchen utensils. It is better to have separate cutting boards for gluten-free products.
• If you have handled regular bread or other pastries with gluten, wash your hands before eating.
• To prevent wheat dust from getting into gluten-free pastries, it is best to cook them separately or before baking with wheat flour.
• Do not use the same butter for spreading gluten and gluten-free bread as crumbs can get into it.

You can use special gluten-free recipes or adapt regular recipes to prepare meals. Semolina and crackers can be replaced with rice flour or rice grits, rice flour is best suited for rolling. More delicious pastries are obtained from special b / g mixtures, you can buy ready-made or make them yourself.

Products can be found in specialty stores and large chain stores have small sections of gluten-free products.

Diet disruption. What to do?

Everyone can fall off a gluten-free diet, so don’t panic and get back on a strict diet (gluten-free products from the first category) as soon as possible!

As a rule, relapse can occur for a variety of reasons, which include:

• eating habits that have been formed over the years and the difficulties associated with them in the transition to a new diet;
• psychological difficulties in the initial stages after diagnosis;
• misunderstanding and provocations from others;
• unscrupulous labeling of products by the manufacturer.

Adherence to a gluten-free diet can be especially affected by visiting, going on a picnic or on vacation (provoking smells of forbidden foods and feast situations).

With an abrupt transition from a gluten-free diet to a normal diet, celiac patients also abruptly resume and even intensify the complaints that preceded a gluten-free diet. If the patient continues to consume foods with gluten, progressive damage to the small intestinal mucosa and subsequent intestinal malabsorption develops, leading to the development of anemia, osteoporosis, hypo-avitaminosis, and hormonal disorders. In addition, the risk of oncological diseases of the gastrointestinal tract increases.

If you find yourself in such circumstances and are faced with a deterioration in health, a gastroenterologist-nutritionist of the HC “Expert” will provide you with all the necessary support and will help you cope with the renewed symptoms of the disease .

How to eat out?

Nowadays, the emergence of gluten-free cafes and restaurants has made it easier to have lunch or dinner out. If you can’t find gluten-free food nearby when ordering, check with the waiter or chef if the dish you have chosen contains wheat flour or starch. What is better to choose: vegetable salads without sauce, vinaigrette, vegetable soup, broth, natural meat or fish without additives and sauces, rice, natural potatoes. The simpler the dish you choose, the less likely it is to contain gluten.

At a party, use the same principles, do not hesitate to ask the hosts for menus and ingredients in advance, bring homemade bread or other pastries with you.

Gluten-free cafes and restaurants (includes those with n/g labeled dishes) .

1. Farm Benois (so far the only certified gluten-free restaurant in the city) Prices are above average, there is a shop where you can buy b/g bread and dumplings.
2. Gluten-Free Kitchen Territory, production and delivery of gluten-free dishes to order.

Please note that you need to check with the waiter and chef the composition of the dishes and the method of their preparation in any case , even if the dishes are labeled gluten-free. Sometimes restaurateurs put this badge only because the prepared dish does not explicitly contain products from wheat, rye, barley or other cereals, but the products have not been tested for gluten content.

Be careful !!! By eating out, you are always at risk of breaking a gluten-free diet.

If symptoms persist or do not completely disappear

Carefully check the ingredients of the products you use, some of them may contain latent gluten, and try to diet more strictly.

If you follow a strict diet for six months, and there is no improvement, you should contact a gastroenterologist-nutritionist at the HC “Expert” to clarify the diagnosis and decide on the appointment of additional treatment. At the appointment, the doctor will evaluate the dynamics of disturbing symptoms and their change before and after the introduction of a gluten-free diet together with you.

Personal histories of patients of GC “Expert”

Patient, 52 years old, complaints of weakness, abdominal pain, bloating, frequent stool disorders, low levels of magnesium and calcium in the blood, difficulty gaining weight with proper nutrition, pain in the legs, son previously diagnosed with celiac disease.

I’ve been on a gluten-free diet for 9 years, at first it was very difficult to get used to, but during the first year I managed to adapt to cooking delicious gluten-free familiar dishes. To make it easier to follow the diet, my husband and I stopped using wheat flour at home. From gluten-free flour, delicious cakes and pizza are obtained, all guests eat them with pleasure. Natural foods predominate in my diet, semi-finished products, sausages, ice cream and other foods that may contain gluten are excluded.

Improvements did not start immediately, especially at the beginning of the diet there were mistakes related to eating out. The support and advice of a gastroenterologist-nutritionist at the GC “Expert” helped me learn how to avoid mistakes and follow a diet correctly. On the diet, pain in the abdomen, bloating and weakness disappeared, my health and mood improved, the pain in my legs stopped bothering me, I began to look better, gaining the missing kilograms.

I buy gluten-free products in specialized stores, mainly flour, bread, sweets, pasta. Sometimes we buy ready-made gluten-free bread in the shop of the Benois Farm restaurant. Now in St. Petersburg there is a fairly wide range of gluten-free products, so the most difficult thing is eating out, if I need to eat in the city, I prefer Na Pair and Pound Raisins cafes.

Recommendations for the dynamic monitoring of patients in the HC “Expert”

1. After the diagnosis is made, a follow-up visit with a consultation of a gastroenterologist-nutritionist 1 time per year or in case of deterioration of health. Scientific studies have shown that patients who are under the supervision of a doctor follow a gluten-free diet more successfully.
2. FGDS with biopsy 1 time per year for the first 3 years, then 1 time in 2-3 years.
3. Ultrasound of the abdominal organs 1 time per year.
4. Blood and stool tests once a year.
5. Feedback with a doctor: the opportunity to ask questions to a specialist by e-mail or by phone during the year.

Sex in patients with celiac disease or association with infertility, erectile dysfunction in men and menstrual irregularities in women

We understand that the quality of sexual life in patients with celiac disease may be affected by:

3. frigidity;
4. lack of orgasm;
5. erectile dysfunction;
6. violations of ejaculation.

This is due to malabsorption and digestion of a number of nutrients in the intestines, including fats. This leads to a decrease in the level of cholesterol – the precursor of male and female sex hormones, which leads to a violation of the ratio of hormones in the body.

Moreover, in men, the exchange of male sex hormones, including testosterone, is disturbed. Hormone deficiency can be manifested by impotence, premature ejaculation, increased urge to urinate, decreased muscle mass and male strength. The process of formation and quality of sperm is also disrupted, which can be manifested by a decrease in the number or absence of spermatozoa, low mobility or an abnormal structure of spermatozoa. In some cases, this can lead to male infertility.

In women, in turn, the exchange of female sex hormones is disturbed, which causes menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea and can cause infertility, miscarriage, miscarriages.

With the early debut of the disease, there is a slowdown in sexual development.

Please note that in the atypical form and in the early stages of the disease, the above symptoms may be the only manifestation of celiac disease. Therefore, GC “Expert” recommends to exclude celiac disease when examining the above conditions.

With a timely visit to a doctor and a correct diagnosis, as well as a constant adherence to a gluten-free diet, most functions are restored by 80-90%.

What foods can be eaten with a gluten-free diet / Checklists from Food.ru – an article from the “Healthy Eating” section on Food.ru

What can not be eaten with celiac disease

About 1% of the world’s population suffers from celiac disease. These people cannot eat foods with gluten (gluten) – proteins that are present in grains of wheat, rye, barley. True, all products containing oatmeal are also included in the list – although there is no gluten at all, oatmeal is often contaminated with wheat, and therefore may contain a certain amount of gluten proteins.

Avoiding gluten is very important for people with celiac disease. Otherwise, it will enter the intestines, cause inflammation, disrupt normal digestion, provoke discomfort – pain, bloating, diarrhea and other problems.

In addition to products made from wheat, rye and barley flour – bread, pastries, desserts, dumplings, muesli, pasta, various cereals – the following are banned:

• industrial sauces, including soy;

• jelly, kvass, alcohol – beer, vodka, whiskey;

• canned food, soda, marmalade and other products containing maltol, isomaltol, maltitol, fatty acid diglycerides

2 There may be hidden gluten in sauces.

This also applies to mayonnaise, and ketchup, and soy sauce, and mustard. If a product is made from ingredients that are naturally gluten-free, then it is not certain that so-called gluten cross-contamination will not occur in production. For example, one line produces yoghurt with cereals, the other produces mayonnaise. Complete isolation is not provided – the probability of “pollution”, of course, is small, but it still exists. For example, when gluten-free production is certified for the “Crossed Ear” mark, the purity and safety of production is evaluated first of all – the isolation of gluten-free products from those containing explicit or hidden gluten.

Important

Read the ingredients on the label carefully!

Some manufacturers indicate the detailed composition on the packages, and gluten-free products are marked with a special sign – a crossed ear. But this is not always the case.

There are products with hidden gluten that are not mentioned on the packaging. It is important for people with celiac disease to know that gluten can “hide” even where it is not mentioned.

Which foods are banned

• Kefir, cottage cheese, yoghurt with and without fillers, sour cream, curd mass and curd curds;

• ice cream;

• chips;

• breakfast cereals, balls, stars, even if they are advertised as corn or rice;

• prepared fish or meat preparations, breaded or seasoned;

• sausage, ham, pate;

• meat, fish, vegetable, fruit preserves, as well as industrial jams and conserves;

• prepared salad dressings;

• condiments and spices, including bouillon cubes and soup mixtures;

• instant drinks – juices, coffee, cocoa, hot chocolate;

• packaged juices with pulp;

• pastille, marshmallow, caramel, toffee and other sweets.

Comment by Head of Foodcode Quality Control Yuri Ponomarev:

The list can be supplemented with crab sticks, french fries, moldy cheeses, bran, sweets, as well as some types of cereals, including wheat, semolina. Still, it is safer to focus on the sign of the crossed ear on the package – it guarantees the purity and safety of gluten-free production. If it is not there, and even more so if there is an inscription that the product may contain traces of gluten, it is better not to risk it. There are a lot of gluten-free products – Foodcode alone has more than 50 of them in its assortment, including granola, pasta, cookies. So you can easily do without chips or marshmallows.

What can you eat if you are gluten intolerant

The list of foods to avoid in case of celiac disease is quite extensive, but the list of allowed foods is also large. Particular attention is paid to the method of preparation – the list below indicates products in the preparation of which additives, seasonings, sauces may not be used, in which gluten may be present:

• beef, pork, chicken, turkey, lamb and other meats;

• eggs;

• fish and seafood;

• vegetables, fruits, berries;

• mushrooms;

• legumes – chickpeas, lentils, beans, peas;

• butter, olive and other vegetable and animal oils;

• rice, corn, quinoa and their products: pastries, pasta, desserts and others.

Specially for people with celiac disease, there are lines of gluten-free products. You can buy them in special stores, as well as in the healthy food departments in large supermarkets. For example, the Perekrestok chain of stores sells Foodcode brand products.

Comment by Head of Foodcode Quality Control Service Yury Ponomarev:

Highly recommend corn and buckwheat buns; bread and charcoal and “Vermont”; also children’s muffins “Moni-Loni”; cantuccini – all cookies are good, and my favorite is with almonds; stollen is like a Christmas cake; I advise granola – it’s like muesli, only tastier. Especially with apple and cinnamon. It’s all tasty, healthy, and most importantly – safe, which is also confirmed by the “Crossed Ear” marking.

What to cook for breakfast, lunch and dinner with celiac disease

Diet for gluten intolerance can and should be varied. We offer several options for different meals.

Breakfast

You can cook cottage cheese casserole with buckwheat in the evening so as not to waste time in the morning. It is important to be sure about the composition of the cottage cheese – choose those brands that will definitely not contain traces of gluten.

A quick and simple dish with national flavor. A poached egg seems like a tricky dish to make, but with a little skill, you’ll definitely succeed. Yogurt has the same requirements as cottage cheese – find a brand that does not contain hidden gluten.

• Omelette Bruschetta

Simple, quick and satisfying, and if you choose Foodcode’s corn or cereal bread, it’s definitely gluten-free.

Lunch

Lunch option for those who are always in a hurry — salad is prepared quickly and saturates for a long time, providing the body with vitamins, microelements, fiber and a portion of protein.

The dish can be prepared ahead of time, for example over the weekend, reheating as needed during the week. For cooking, both seasonal fresh vegetables and frozen ones are suitable.

• Salted Chop

Choose lean pork or other meat that you like. Serve the chop with a vegetable salad or a heartier side dish like Foodcode’s gluten-free pasta.

Snack

• Handful of nuts;

• Foodcode chocolate chip cookies;

• vegetable sticks – sliced ​​carrots and celery;

• apple, grape, orange and kiwi fruit salad

Dinner

Easy option for healthy lifestyle supporters. With celiac disease, it is worth abandoning the soy sauce in the dressing, and be sure to rinse the nuts before eating.

The dish takes a long time to prepare, but it’s worth it – tasty, fragrant, satisfying. When choosing the tomato paste that you need for cooking, you need to pay attention to the composition: if there is no reliable brand at hand, then it is better to use fresh tomatoes.

• Tuna steak

The main thing in the recipe is not to overcook the fish, otherwise it will turn from juicy and tender into dry and unappetizing. You should refrain from using sesame seeds for celiac disease, and you can supplement the steak with vegetable salad, a serving of legumes or boiled rice.