Gluten is a protein found in some grains, notably wheat,
barley, and rye. The symptoms of
celiac disease (such as diarrhea, weight loss, and
abdominal bloating) may or may not occur after eating foods that contain
gluten. But if you have celiac disease, eating gluten triggers an
immune response that is not normal and can lead to
damage of your
small intestine. This damage can occur even when you
do not notice symptoms.
Some foods and food products may contain
gluten even when it is not specifically listed as an ingredient. The following
foods and food products may have hidden gluten:
Milk products
- Ice cream and other frozen dairy
products
- Cheese spreads
- Yogurt with fruit
Processed foods
- Hot chocolate mixes or cocoa, chocolates, and
candy bars
- Bouillon cubes, soup mixes, and canned
soups
- Processed meats and poultry, such as hot dogs, sausages, and
luncheon meats
- Imitation meat and seafood
Other products
- Nondairy creamer, salad dressings, soy sauce,
gravy and other sauce mixes, mustard, ketchup, tomato sauce, and peanut
butter
- Drink mixes and herbal teas
- Hydrolyzed vegetable
protein, which is a filler product used in many prepared or processed
foods
- Communion wafers used in religious services
If you have celiac disease, it is important for you to
learn about sources of hidden gluten. You may not always have symptoms, so you
cannot judge whether a food is safe by how you feel after eating it.
Some medicines contain gluten. Ask your doctor whether the medicines you
take contain gluten. You can also ask your pharmacist when buying
nonprescription medicines, but often you must contact the manufacturer of the
medicine to find this information.
Gluten may also be in products
such as vitamins and other health supplements, lipstick, lip balm, and
children's modeling dough (such as Play-Doh).
