Gluten intolerance is a condition in which gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, causes physical symptoms. A person with gluten intolerance may develop diarrhea, fatigue, constipation and irritability after ingesting gluten. Though a food item may not contain wheat, it may contain gluten from barley or rye. Reading food labels will help determine if a product is gluten-free. Calling a product manufacturer for specific ingredients is also a good way to avoid foods with gluten, according to the Celiac Disease Foundation.
Flour-Based Foods
Foods made from wheat, barley or rye flour will contain gluten. Bread and bread products, like white, wheat or rye bread, hot dog or hamburger buns, croissants, doughnuts and muffins contain gluten. Other sweets made with wheat flours, like cake, cookies, pie crust and other pastries, are additional sources of gluten.
Pasta is often made from semolina wheat or other wheat sources. Croutons and crackers, including graham crackers, made with wheat flour contain gluten.
Gluten-free flour products, such as breads and sweets, are available as an alternative to wheat-based products. Made from gluten-free grains, these products are generally labeled as gluten-free and wheat-free and are often found in whole food stores or a retailer's health food section.
Cereal and Snacks
Commercially produced snack foods often contain wheat or gluten-based grains. The Celiac Disease Foundation states that many common foods are often overlooked for containing gluten, including energy and snack bars and cereals. Many breakfast cereals contain wheat or wheat flour. Cereals made with rice or corn may be flavored with malt syrup, a flavoring derived from barley. Granola bars and cereals, meal bars and snack tubes or cups of yogurt and pudding may contain gluten additives, like crushed cookies or candy pieces. Flavored potato chips, pretzels and popcorn may also be made with wheat ingredients, or contain flavorings with gluten.
Processed Foods
Processed meats may contain gluten additives. Lunch meats, sausage, hot dogs, self-basting turkey and poultry and bratwurst may have seasoning or fillers containing gluten. The Children's Digestive Health and Nutrition Foundation warns that imitation meats, like crab and bacon, are also made with gluten.
Seasoning and Flavorings
Many prepackaged seasonings contain wheat as a thickener. Reading the packaging on seasonings will help determine if wheat, rye or barley have been added. Soy sauce, bouillon cubes and soup bases, plus marinades and coating mixes, may also contain wheat. While plain rice is gluten-free, packaged rice or other grains and legumes that contain seasonings or spices may contain gluten.
