| Navigating the maze of foods containing gluten | | | | protein is being used. |
| and wheat can be daunting if you're intolerant or | | | | Starches - Often used as binding agents and |
| allergic to these substances. For some, eating a bit | | | | thickeners in seasonings, in the US, starch refers |
| of wheat or gluten will produce mild symptoms | | | | to corn. If other starches are being used, they |
| that are inconvenient at worst. | | | | must be identified. |
| For others, ingesting such foods can be life | | | | Dextrin - Also used as a thickener, dextrin can be |
| threatening. How can you be certain that the | | | | made of corn, rice, tapioca, wheat or potato. If |
| foods you're eating are free from wheat and | | | | wheat is used, it should be identified as Wheat |
| gluten? First, read ingredient labels when shopping. | | | | Dextrin |
| Never make assumptions. | | | | Individual spices - Individual spices won't contain |
| There are many food items on the market that | | | | gluten, but a mixture might carry wheat starch as |
| contain wheat or wheat gluten, but you'd never | | | | a binding agent. It will be noted on the label. |
| guess it from looking at them. Also, when reading | | | | Previously, some ingredients were viewed as |
| labels, know what to look for. There are lots of | | | | suspect, but are now considered to be |
| ingredients listed that don't have the words | | | | gluten-free. They are:o Maltodextrino Glucose |
| "wheat" or "gluten" in them. | | | | Syrupo Carmel Coloringo Citric Acido Distilled |
| The following is a list and brief description of | | | | Vinegars (Malt Vinegars are NOT gluten free) |
| ingredients to avoid: | | | | When dining out, make sure you ask plenty of |
| Hydrolyzed Plant Protein or Hydrolyzed Vegetable | | | | questions. You can call ahead and ask for |
| Protein (HPP or HVP) - These are not acceptable | | | | information regarding wheat and gluten free menu |
| because it doesn't identify what the plant source | | | | items, or if you'll be eating at a well-known chain |
| is. Under new laws, the plant source must be | | | | restaurant, you can check out their website for |
| identified, as in Hydrolyzed Corn Protein. | | | | wheat and gluten free menu details. |
| Modified Food Starch - There's no requirement for | | | | Many fine restaurants (and even fast-food |
| identifying the plant source, but if wheat is being | | | | restaurants) make a point of providing this |
| used, by law it needs to be labeled as Modified | | | | information to their customers. When you're out - |
| Wheat Starch. | | | | and in need of a snack - make sure you have |
| Natural and/or Artificial Flavorings - Sometimes | | | | gluten and wheat-free snack bars available, which |
| hydrolyzed protein may be used for flavoring, and | | | | can be purchased online and at health food stores. |
| sometimes barley, malt or rye derivatives are | | | | When you've been invited to a friend's for dinner, |
| used for flavoring. It's best to contact the | | | | mention beforehand that you must eat wheat |
| manufacturer to find out if they're adding any | | | | and gluten free diet. They will appreciate the |
| type of barley malt/syrup or extract to their | | | | heads up, but may need to be educated about |
| flavoring, and what type, if any, of hydrolyzed | | | | what that entails. |