by Karen Chamchuk

Created on: October 08, 2008   Last Updated: April 03, 2010

Recent studies have shown that about one of every 133 people in North America suffer from gluten intolerance, although many aren't aware of it.  Gluten intolerance, also called celiac disease, is a condition in which the small intestine becomes irritated when foods containing gluten are ingested.

What is gluten? Gluten is responsible for the stickiness of dough and for making bread rise.  Gluten is found in wheat, rye, oats and barley. Symptoms of gluten intolerance include weight loss, abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, itching, rashes and anemia.  It is believed that individuals with Autism may be negatively affected by consuming foods with gluten.  If you are unsure if you have a gluten intolerance, you may want to ask your doctor about performing a celiac blood test for further verification.

The only way for individuals with a gluten intolerance to survive and thrive is by following a strict, gluten-free diet. The following is a comprehensive list of those foods which contain gluten.

FOODS THAT CONTAIN OBVIOUS GLUTEN:

Grains and baked goods(unless baked with rice flour), pretzels, bulgar wheat, couscous, All Bran, barely water drinks, rye bread, pumpernickel, pastries or pie crusts, pasta, durhum, pizza, anything in bread crumbs, sponge puddings, malted drinks such as Horlicks, yorkshire pudding, stuffings, pancakes(unless made with almond flour), crispbreads, crumble toppings, semolina, sponge puddings, and muesli.

 
FOODS THAT CONTAIN HIDDEN GLUTEN:

Sausages containing rusk, gravy pouches, stock cubes such as OXO cubes, seitan(seitan is actually another word for gluten), farina, self-basting turkeys, soups made with flour, brown rice syrup, soy sauce(only Tamari brand is OK), chutney and pickles, white pepper, supplements, some pharmaceutical products, luncheon meat(may contain fillers), matzo flour and matzo meal, hydrolized vegetable protein(HVP), meat and fish pastes, sauces(often thickened with flour), mustard(dry mustard powder contains gluten), inexpensive brands of chocolate, chocolate drinks or chocolate drink mixes, salad dressings, malt vinegar, some toothpastes, blue cheeses, shredded suet in packs(flour is used to keep the strands separate), baked beans(there may be gluten in the tomato sauce), pates, alcoholic drinks such as beer, ale, lager, instant coffee(may use flour as a filler), potato chips(read the ingredients to be sure you choose a gluten-free brand), licorice, curry powder(may use flour as a filler),

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