Eating a gluten-free diet has become somewhat easier with the prevalence of gluten-free foods and the labeling of products and store shelves. It is still imperative to be proactive when shopping to avoid products that may contain hidden sources of gluten. Although chocolate is inherently gluten-free, the ingredients it is paired with may not be. So to avoid consuming gluten, become an avid label-reader and know the sources of these grain proteins.
Understanding Gluten
Gluten is a term used for a number of storage proteins found in grains that many people are allergic or sensitive to. In reality, gluten proteins can be found in a variety of grains, including those that are considered gluten-free. The gluten that's unsafe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities is made of a specific sequence of amino acids found in wheat, barley, rye and contaminated oats. Any products containing these ingredients should not be considered gluten-free.
Understanding Chocolate
In its purest form chocolate is not a grain, nor does it contain wheat, barley, rye or contaminated oats. Chocolate is harvested from the cacao seed and is actually a bean. It's consumed after being roasted, husked, ground and sweetened. Chocolate recipes and chocolate products labeled gluten-free abound on the Internet and in stores, although chocolate is not inherently a gluten-containing substance. That being said, chocolate, or pure cacao, is rarely consumed without other ingredients, and it is these other ingredients that may make some chocolate unsuitable for your gluten-free diet.
Reading Labels
Always read labels when following a gluten-free diet. This will hopefully prevent you from consuming foods that contain gluten. Presently, labeling products gluten-free is strictly voluntary. According to the Celiac Sprue Association, the "gluten-free" label means that a product doesn't contain gluten grains, or that, if gluten has been removed, then the product does not contain more than 20 parts per million of gluten. If a product does not have a gluten-free label on it, it doesn't mean the product is not gluten-free, though. In this case, read the ingredients and familiarize yourself with those that may indicate gluten. The Celiac Sprue Association offers a comprehensive list of gluten-containing grains and flours.
Other Factors
In addition to the ingredient list on a chocolate product, check for any other warnings that might indicate gluten contamination. If a product has a warning on it that states it is made in a facility that processes wheat, there is a higher probability of cross-contamination, and it should be avoided. Some foods that may contain gluten, according to the American Dietetic Association, are brown rice syrup, malt syrup, malt extract, malted milk, modified food starch and seasonings. When in doubt, opt for a chocolate product that is labeled "gluten-free."
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