One question almost everyone asks when they find out about my new “eating challenge” – that’s what I like to call it – is “what is eating gluten-free?” And to be honest, I wasn’t 100% sure what I could and couldn’t be eating when I started out save for the pastas, breads, and doughs (all of my favourite things).
So what is safe to eat? Here is a list of things to absolutely avoid:
- Barley (malt, malt flavoring and malt vinegar are usually made from barley)
- Rye
- Triticale (a cross between wheat and rye)
- Wheat products, including:
- Bulgur
- Durum flour
- Farina
- Graham flour
- Kamut
- Semolina
- Spelt* – this one depends on who you ask. I know lots of gluten-intolerants who eat this, so I eat it occasionally. I don’t seem to react to it like I react to wheat now, so I think it’s safe for me.
Then there are the things that are suggested to avoid, or at least check the ingredients:
- Beer
- Baked goods including breads, cakes, pies, cookies, crackers
- Candies
- Cereals
- French fries
- Gravies, salad dressings, sauces (including soy sauce)
- Imitation meat or seafood
- Pasta
- Soups and soup bases
- Oats* – also a tricky one based on some cross-contamination
It’s certainly a long list, and one positive thing about this challenge has been a better awareness of what I am eating and what goes into my food.
