Hidden Gluten

When you’re new to the gluten-free diet, learning the code names for gluten and where to look for them is one of the hardest parts of the transition. Be sure to check out the sites on my Celiac page if you’re interested in learning more. And here’s a list of a few that took me the most trips to the bathroom trial and error to get the hang of.

1. Envelopes – For the first month or two I was GF, I got glutened every Friday. Finally, I figured it out. I was sending thank you cards at work every Friday and licked the envelopes. Most contain gluten as an adhesive. Now, I use the sticker ones at home, and at work use the seal function on the postage machine.

2. Hair Conditioner – Another that took me a long time to learn. It seemed like every time I ate with my fingers, I was getting glutened. I’d already checked the obvious health/beauty care products (toothpaste, chapstick) but I had very long hair and was constantly touching it. When I checked my hair conditioner there it was – wheat protein and barley extract.

3. Double Dipping – Last summer, inspired by HEAB, I made an amazing chipotle almond butter. I coated raw almonds in honey and chipotle powder, but after eating it on toast, spent the evening in the bathroom catching up on my reading. The honey I used was from my gluten-eating days, and I’d probably double dipped and contaminated the jar.

4. Starbucks Chocolatey Chips – I knew the chocolatey chips (which, by the way contain so little chocolate that they can’t be called chocolate chips) are sweetened with barley malt. What I didn’t know was that when I ordered a peppermint mocha with no whipped cream at Christmastime, they’d still throw a sprinkle of chips into my drink. Now I stick to unflavored lattes, or just make my own coffee at home.